On November 2, 500 educators, community-based organizations, career counselors and community leaders gathered at the Jacobs Center for the sold-out Workforce Conference: The Future of Work.
Our research team released six reports covering San Diego workforce data:
- The Gig Economy
- Apprenticeships
- In-Demand Jobs 2016
- Blue Economy: Labor Market Analysis
- Retail Industry: Labor Market Analysis
- Specialty Foods and Brews: Labor Market Analysis
San Diego City Councilmember Myrtle Cole and California State Assemblymember and Speaker Emeritus Toni G. Atkins opened the conference, emceed by SDWP Training Specialist Taryell Simmons and Director of Business Services and Research Tina Ngo Bartel.
Atkins said California recently passed Great Britain to become the fifth largest economy in the world, an additional reason for paying attention to the state’s industries and labor market, hence this year’s theme, the future of work.
“The work we do today is planning for the future.” – @toniatkins #SDWorkCon16 pic.twitter.com/0K3hSzNSvo
— San Diego Workforce (@sdworkforce) November 2, 2016
The conference included an overview of each report with panel discussions from industry experts and employers, including representatives from Goodwill Industries of San Diego, Rough Draft Brewing Company, Trident Maritime Systems and Ocean Aero.
In addition, individuals representing different parts of the workforce offered their perspective. In a conversation about the gig economy, Alexxa Morgan, independent consultant and entrepreneur, advised young people to “focus on your strengths rather than weaknesses.” She also said gig jobs are great for testing the waters of different occupations. Basically, as Morgan said, “FIOMIH: Figure it out and make it happen!”
A highlight of the conference was the release of the In-Demand Jobs 2016 report. SDWP Research Manager Sarah Burns presented report findings and profiles of the top 55 in-demand jobs in San Diego County.
Careers will change but we must identify those that are in-demand. @sdworkforce #SDWorkCon16 @PeterACallstrom pic.twitter.com/X3vf2kBZSU
— Ed Hidalgo (@EdHidalgoSD) November 2, 2016
“We strive to provide free professional development to teachers, career counselors and other workforce professionals who may not interact with employers on a day-to-day basis,” says Ngo Bartel. “The conference is important in disseminating information to those directly working with job seekers. The research could immediately help them understand the skills, educational attainment and pathways necessary to meet employers’ workforce needs.”
This was followed by lightning talks on the day in the life of an in-demand job, including presenters Shawn McClondon, Executive Director of Youth Campaigns, an organization that offers opportunities in digital media for talented minority and low-income youth; Miller Tran, Ph.D., Senior Scientist at Triton Algae Innovations; and Marcel Becker, General Manager of Repair Operations at Trident Marine Systems.
McClondon pointed out that “social media teaches young people to market themselves in the gig economy.”
Dr. Tran offered advice that goes beyond the sciences: “To be a good scientist you have to know how to fail. You also need a good imagination.”
Next, Superintendent and President of MiraCosta Community College District Dr. Sunita Cooke moderated a panel of different industry leaders, including Eric Patten, CEO/President of Ocean Aero; Jeff Silver, Brewery Owner of Rough Draft Brewing Company; April Oreta, Sales and Catering Manager of Savory Foods; and Beth Forsberg, VP of Retail and Operations of Goodwill Industries of San Diego County. They discussed industry reports on the blue economy, specialty foods and brews and retail.
Each offered unique opportunities and challenges in their respective industries. Silver said, “Breweries are manufacturer, distributor & bar/restaurant all in one.” Attendees also heard that the Blue Economy is often overlooked because 72 percent of employers employ fewer than 25 workers; there are still great opportunities as the industry is growing. Forsberg recalled a former boss’s words: “Retail isn’t about selling a pair of pants; it’s about the customer’s experience.”
After a lunch catered by SDWP funded partner Kitchens for Good, groups participated in quick roundtable discussions on themes and populations served, such as opportunity youth, low-income, homeless, LGBTQ and disability issues.
Zhenya Lindstrom, Director at the Center of Excellence, San Diego and Imperial Region, then presented on community college student employment outcomes, sharing success stories such as that of Ernesto de Leon.
Urban Corps San Diego County pre-apprentice Tania Sanchez-Aguilar, IBEW 569 electrician apprentice Cristina Marquez and Eddie Needham — quality control manager of the Rx Research Apprenticeship — offered their perspectives on apprenticeships in a discussion moderated by labor leader Richard Barrera.
County of San Diego Supervisor Dave Roberts closed the conference by promoting the creation of jobs and workforce development.
Attendees then enjoyed complimentary beer tastings provided by Rough Draft Brewing Company during a networking happy hour.
Thank you to top-level event sponsors San Diego/Imperial County Community College Association, Jerome’s Furniture, Qualcomm, Bank of America and Kaiser Permanente.
To read the full reports, visit workforce.org/reports.
To view the panel presentations, visit workforce.org/conference2016.