Robert Chu is a Business and Training Programs Specialist at the San Diego Workforce Partnership. Here he describes his role, discusses what he likes best about working in workforce development and shares one of his proudest professional moments.
Tell us about your role at SDWP.
I am part of the Business Services and Research team at SDWP as a Business and Training Programs Specialist. I oversee the RetailWorks grant. This grant was awarded to SDWP by the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership through the Walmart Foundation. My primary duties include outreaching to retail companies in San Diego County and overseeing the service agreements that we initiate with them.
What do you like best about working in workforce development?
I am a strong believer in the work that we do. As part of the team that deals primarily with businesses, it is very rewarding to see the employer side of the spectrum. A lot of times we see success stories of participants who were able to find a job after months of searching, but it is just as satisfying seeing a small business owner successfully bring his or her business out of the red and continue to provide jobs to people in the community. It just shows that we are simply all on different sides of the same coin and that businesses and participants are relying on each other to be successful.
What professional moment or project are you most proud of?
During my tenure with SDWP, I have worked in multiple departments. It is hard to pinpoint a single moment or project that I am most proud of but my greatest source of pride is that I’ve been able to find a supportive team no matter where I am positioned. I also enjoy my new role meeting with business owners and seeing them realize that they have so many options available for them to help their business and their employees.