We are thrilled to report the CONNECT2Careers (C2C) program has exceeded its goal and has connected 202 young adults with employer-paid summer jobs.
Thanks to an investment from the City of San Diego for $200,000 the San Diego Workforce Partnership was able to reinvigorate and re-imagine its summer employment program. C2C provided meaningful, employer-paid summer work experiences that prepared young adults for in-demand jobs.
CONNECT2Careers summer highlights include:
- 661 received work readiness training
- 202 participated in employer-paid summer jobs
- 93 employers submitted job requests
- 43 employers hired young adults
- $348,450 in estimated earned wages
“CONNECT2Careers boosts our regional economy, helps close the ‘skills gap’ and provides the opportunity to develop tomorrow’s workforce,” said Jared Aaker, Director of Business Development, San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation and Youth Council Co-Chair. “This summer, C2C has established a strong foundation and a commitment from the business community to help train San Diego’s emerging workforce for the jobs of the future.”
From the public to the private sector, a wide-range of industries and businesses hired C2C participants this summer including City of San Diego Interim Mayor Todd Gloria, Council President Pro Tem Sherri Lightner, Councilmember Myrtle Cole, Councilmember Mark Kersey, San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, Taylor Trim & Supply, Harmonium, Northrop Grumman, Sudberry Properties, Junior Achievement, Home Start, San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Qualcomm, and many more.
“Without question, our C2C Intern added value to our business during a busy time” said C2C employer Marlene Taylor, President of Taylor Trim & Supply. “In addition to completing general administrative tasks, she was able to take on special projects, exceeding our expectations. We plan to be one of the first companies in line to participate in the C2C program next summer.”
Council President Pro Tem Sherri Lightner has been an advocate of C2C since the beginning and shared, “CONNECT2Careers has done a great job providing a way for businesses to give back while helping to train our emerging workforce, which is critical to growing our local economy. You simply can’t compete in the global economy if you don’t have a world-class workforce. This summer’s program was a huge success, and I look forward to seeing the program’s continued growth going forward.”
CONNECT2Careers would not have been possible without the financial support of the San Diego City Council. As a result, hundreds of youth in our region benefitted from the invaluable experience of summer employment. “Building the workforce of tomorrow starts today. We look forward to expanding this program in the years to come,” said Peter Callstrom, President and CEO, San Diego Workforce Partnership.
For more information on CONNECT2Careers, visit C2CSD.org