News & Stories

San Diego Job Corps Center (SDJCC) provides free career training and education for ages 16–24. Job Corps services can be accessed at several locations around San Diego County, including our East County Career Center. We spoke with their regional Workforce Development Director, Sara Kende, to learn more about how the SDJCC is helping young adults thrive in the workforce.

Jeniffer Mendiola has had a passion for working with her hands from an early age, influenced by her uncles working in construction. The passion is made clear when looking at her work history, which reflects a pattern of physical if not mobile elements; from emergency medical technician (EMT) to welding and driving for Uber, her career journey took her through various career paths and industries. It was when she received an email from San Diego Continuing Education that she was able to find her way to becoming a certified electrician by way of the San Diego Workforce Partnership’s Construction Career Jumpstart (CCJ) program.

San Diego employers can look forward to elevating their approach to talent engagement starting March 2024 by joining a no-cost 10-month immersive learning experience called the California Employer Action Lab. 

In October 2023, our Community Health Worker program became our second federally-registered apprenticeship program, after Substance Use Counselor Training. Historically, apprenticeships were typically available to those interested in the building or technical trades. Creating apprenticeship pathways in healthcare and behavioral health will help San Diego meet its behavioral worker shortage of 18,500 workers and the State’s goal of 500,000 registered apprentices by 2029.

Georgina is a program specialist on our population-specific team. We asked her what she likes about workforce development, her favorite program and how she enjoys spending her time off.

The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) provides services and advocates for individuals with disabilities to achieve equitable employment and independent living. We support the DOR in implementing workforce development programs for San Diegans living with disabilities. DOR representatives can be found at five of our six career centers located around San Diego County.

Having spent three decades as a small business owner, managing two salons in Encinitas and downtown San Diego, life threw a curveball at Teresa Koecher. In 2014, she faced a life-altering accident, leaving her physically incapable of working in the same capacity as before and starting her life anew. With the help of friends and her church community, she could pick herself up and change course.

Immigrants play a crucial Role in San Diego’s Economy with more than one-third of San Diego’s essential workers are immigrants, contributing significantly to the well-being of residents and businesses. With more and more immigrants coming to San Diego it is vital that we as a community recognize their economic contributions and create more inclusive pathways for them to achieve equitable education and career opportunities to make San Diego’s economy work for them.  

New workforce advancements to ensure fair compensation and encourage the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the mainstream workforce to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

San Diego County Supervisor Chairwoman Nora Vargas awarded the San Diego Workforce Partnership $5 million for the new Career Pathways for Foster Youth program.