Profile

Since 2019, UC San Diego Extended Studies and the San Diego Workforce Partnership have collaborated to provide students with the opportunity to earn certificates in technical fields at no upfront cost. Most recently, in 2023 we launched UC San Diego Extended Studies & Google Career Certificates.

After almost seven years of receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) after being diagnosed with depression, anxiety and PTSD, Jennifer Smith found herself ready to test her resolve to head back into the workforce. Through the Ticket to Work program and with encouragement from her program specialist, Georgina Garcia, at the San Diego Workforce Partnership, Jennifer developed the tools and fortitude to successfully restart her career in healthcare administration.

The Policy & Innovation Center (PIC) is a think tank and social-impact incubator founded in partnership with the Brookings Institution, County of San Diego, and the San Diego Foundation. We conduct research and policy analysis to identify creative solutions to the region’s biggest problems, and we build cross-sector, multi-jurisdictional partnerships to advance those solutions.

For Spencer Howe and John Hornbrook of MRIaudio, investing in their employees is part of their company’s ethos. With support from the California Manufacturing Technology Consulting and the Workforce Partnership, MRIaudio was able to provide Lean 6 Sigma Training to their staff at a fraction of the cost. Read on to learn how Incumbent Worker Training funds made this possible. 

Being the only woman at a construction job site is not new for Jenifer Arce and Jesse Gomez-Villeda. In fact, that imbalance has only helped them thrive. Jenifer and Jesse are ironworkers by trade and instruct pre-apprentices in the Apprenticeship Readiness Program, a collaboration between the San Diego Workforce Partnership and the SD Building Trades Council. Here, they shared us why representation in construction matters.

Starting a career in healthcare required Israel Guzman to overcome countless obstacles. Through the Healthcare Administration Pathways program and the support from career navigators, he not only completed the program but also landed a job at Scripps. He tells us about the importance of shifting mindsets and staying true to yourself.

Mahdi is the Workforce Partnership’s compliance analyst and board liaison working with a variety of stakeholders across the organization. Here, Mahdi tells us what workforce development means to him and how he enjoys spending his time outside of the office.

According to the City of San Diego, between 2010 and 2022, the percent of San Diegans over the age of 55 has increased from 20.8% to 25.2%—as has the number of mature residents returning to work. Mature workers often face barriers in returning to work, including ageism in the hiring process and in the workplace. Del Mar Healthcare Inc. president, Donald Ambrose, tells how he is committed to challenging these barriers and leveling the playing field for mature workers.

Nashid Mateen has held a variety of job positions, from working at Jack in the Box to working as a medical biller, over his life. Following a twisted turn of fate, Nashid found himself involved with the justice system. Now released, Nashid is on a journey to finding his place in the workforce with the help of the San Diego Workforce Partnership’s Reentry Works services and other community partners.

Monica is a procurement specialist on the compliance team. We asked her what she enjoys about workforce development and how she chooses to spend her time off.