As we close on another challenging year, we want to celebrate some of the great work done for our community. Our hope is that we can make a positive difference in the lives of job seekers and employers. Here’s a look at some of our top moments from 2021. They are presented in no particular order.
1. Many increase economic mobility and find purpose through work
Everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed. We work with people throughout San Diego County to achieve this goal. Here are a few of their stories.
2. We continue our diversity, equity and inclusion series—‘Listen, Learn, Act’—to help dismantle inequality
Work is a fundamental right and should not be jeopardized by race, background, orientation or zip code. We contributed to important workforce-related conversations with a locally focused series exploring the issues, actions and potential solutions to create an inclusive and thriving region. We introduced a new online space to provid diversity, equity and inclusion resources.
3. A new youth workforce development system is born
In partnership with the City of San Diego, Access Inc., San Diego Continuing Education Foundation, San Diego Youth Services, YMCA and South Bay Community Services this new system serves all San Diegans ages 16 to 24 to help them secure a quality job and jumpstart their career through community-focused workforce development, education, training and employment, with specialized programs for certain populations.
4. A new series launches to help job seekers find the right career
Ikigai is a Japanese concept that means a reason for being. Based on this framework, we have videos and tools available to help match people with careers that work for them. The series covers interests and preferences, labor market information, knowledge, skills and abilities, and job quality.
5. Our in-person career centers reopen to help San Diegans secure quality jobs amid COVID-19 recovery
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the health and socio-economic wellbeing of workers and families everywhere. Our career centers re-opened in July to support job seekers with career resources as our region recovers.
6. Construction Career Jumpstart (CCJ) celebrates its first graduates
CCJ trains participants on the fundamentals of a skilled tradesman using an industry-informed curriculum, connects them to job opportunities and offers further support through mentorship. Our first cohort graduated this year and 85% are gainfully employed in the field.
7. We execute a best-in-class business intelligence strategy
We automated our outcome reports with data from multiple systems. We continued to build a data-driven culture by increasing data literacy throughout every level of our organization.
8. The Black Community Investment Fund expands our impact
We received $200,000 from the San Diego Foundation and $100,000 from Bank of America to increase opportunities for Black San Diegans in TechHire and Construction Career Jumpstart to accelerate or launch new careers.
9. Our Income Share Agreement (ISA) program expands
Our ISA program, in partnership with UC San Diego, Division of Extended Studies, provides access to high-quality training, career-readiness and placement services that enable participants to begin a career in a high-demand technology job. Two graduates spoke with ABC10 about their experiences. Watch now.
10. We expand our efforts to share CalFresh assistance
With our partners Kitchens for Good, Center for Employment Opportunities, the Make Project, Niles Sisters, Solutions for Change, Dreams for Change, and the San Diego Continuing Education Foundation, we served over 400 residents and secured more federal funds to serve a larger population in 2022. Participants receive support and programming to increase their employment and earning potential.