The San Diego Workforce Partnership team is dedicated to improving the quality of life for San Diego County residents by ensuring equal access to sustainable employment and the talent and resources that help businesses thrive.
Visit our careers page to learn more about working at the Workforce Partnership.
About Tony Young
Tony Young is a highly experienced community leader with over three decades of government and programmatic expertise in San Diego County. He currently serves as Interim CEO of the San Diego Workforce Partnership where he drives strategic efforts to address the local labor market needs and expand workforce development programs. From his early days as an educator with the San Diego Unified School District to his civic service as a City Councilmember, Tony possesses a profound understanding of pressing issues in San Diego County and how they intersect with resident challenges and aspirations as they pertain to workforce and training.
If you had unlimited resources, how would you change our community for the better?
Community change starts with community engagement. In our profession we are ultimately seeking to affect the economic livelihood of the diverse communities we serve across the County of San Diego. Therefore, changing our community for the better requires working closely with our local population, understanding their unique needs as well as the broader supply and demand constraints across workers and industries and considering these factors when designing our programs.
If you could describe your job role in 3 words, what would it be and why?
Impact, empowerment, improvement. My role oversees the implementation of our programs and the impact we have on our communities, aligning with our City, County and State economic development strategies. It fundamentally supports worker empowerment by supporting our workers with access to resources to support the achievement of their personal goals. Improvement is also fundamental to my role, where I am constantly looking for opportunities to improve the delivery of our services, helping San Diego reach its potential for providing an evolving and adequate range of economic opportunities to support the growing needs of the local workforce.
What's one thing you really love about living in San Diego?
Having had a glorious international career over the past decade and traveling all over the world, I can truly say that within the U.S., San Diego is simply one of the most beautiful, serene and amazing places to both raise a family and work in. Besides the magnificent weather, calm atmosphere and amazing surroundings, I just love that everyone I meet shares the same passion to want to help San Diego develop and thrive as a destination of choice not just for tourists to visit, but for the private sector to consider in bringing the population innovative employment opportunities.
About Alejandra Aceves
Alejandra Aceves is a dynamic leader in workforce development with over 25 years of experience in program management, training, private sector partnerships and community engagement. In particular, Alejandra brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit leadership roles including eight years as Director at Turning the Hearts Center, an organization previously funded by SDWP under the earlier Workforce Investment Act (WIA), and eight years at Job Corps including serving in an executive leadership capacity. Throughout her leadership roles, she has successfully fostered partnerships between businesses and workforce development programs, ensuring alignment with industry needs and enhancing job placement opportunities for participants. Alejandra prioritizes staff growth and development. Her leadership style is characterized by integrity and servant leadership, consistently leading her teams to deliver results. In addition to her amazing professional accomplishments, Alejandra Aceves holds a deep love for her family.
Why work in workforce development?
I work in workforce development because I strongly believe in the importance of empowering people. I love being able to say that the work I do has a positive impact on the lives of San Diegans. Workforce development not only has an impact on businesses and families, but on the future of our region. When people are equipped with the soft and hard skills to have a career with a bright future, San Diego becomes a better place for everyone.
If you had unlimited resources, how would you change our community for the better?
If I had unlimited resources, I would change our community for the better by investing in our education system. I would love to provide our community with high quality K–12 facilities and educators throughout the county. I would put the unlimited resources toward making access to higher education equitable and attainable. I believe in empowering people to build the life that they desire and a quality education is the foundation for that. I would ensure every child has a safe and high-quality educational journey from start to finish. A well-educated San Diego workforce would truly continue to make our region better for generations to come.
What’s one thing you really love about living in San Diego?
After being born and raised in the Midwest, I love the beautiful San Diego beaches that we can enjoy all year long. My favorite beach is Coronado Beach, but our beautiful city has so many to choose from and that is what I love the most. I love that within our county, you can enjoy the beach one day and the snow the next day as well. San Diego is a gorgeous place to live in, and I am grateful to be able to raise my family here.
How do your personal values align with your work?
I have always believed in making the world a better place by helping one other. It sounds cliché but every interaction can make an impact, so why not make each one positive and worthwhile? We’re all a part of a global community with many connections. The San Diego Workforce Partnership is equipping its network with skills and tools that connects businesses with a skilled workforce, and job seekers with meaningful employment. Together, we can help each other become better at what we do.
What was your very first job?
My first job was as a cashier/server for a local, family-owned Chinese restaurant during high school. I remember coming home with delicious leftovers and smelling like orange chicken all the time! I love to eat (then and now) and was very well fed at this establishment.
What's one thing you really love about living in San Diego?
I grew up in San Diego and can’t imagine living anywhere else. I love the healthy lifestyle it promotes! Our wonderful city is renowned for its idyllic climate and has some of the best beaches and parks facilitating an active lifestyle year-round. You can surf, snowboard and hike/camp all in the same day.