Change is Coming: A report on San Diego’s progress on reducing youth disconnection

Last year, we released research on the over 41,000 16–24-year-olds not working and not in school in San Diego County. One year later, Measure of America and the Workforce Partnership have released new data on opportunity youth in the county. Explore the latest measures and demographics of disconnection that are anchoring our region’s movement to reduce youth disconnection.

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Change Is Coming Bifold Thumbnail

Priority Jobs in San Diego County

Thinking about your career options and don’t know where to start? The Priority Jobs report uses employer survey responses and labor market information to look at occupations that are expected to have high growth and job openings in San Diego County over the next five years. In addition, every job on this list pays at least a self-sustaining wage at the entry level ($15.99/hr). Whether you are a student or more seasoned job seeker, use this tool to explore local professions with potential. Included are highlights from the 284 businesses surveyed. 

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Priority Jobs in San Diego County 2019

Initiate! A Report on San Diego’s Progress Reducing Youth Disconnection

Last year, we released groundbreaking research on the over 43,000 16–24-year-olds not working and not in school in San Diego County and set bold goals for reducing the rate of youth disconnection across San Diego’s neighborhoods. One year later, Measure of America and SDWP have released new data on opportunity youth in San Diego County. Explore the latest measures and demographics of disconnection that are anchoring our region’s movement to reduce youth disconnection.

Download the report (5 MB)

Priority Sectors: An Update on Labor Force and Training Needs

Please note this information has been updated. Please refer to the latest priority sector information available at workforce.org/reports or workforce.org/posters.

In 2014, the San Diego Workforce Partnership released a series of Priority Sector reports in collaboration with the San Diego and Imperial Counties Community Colleges Association (SDICCCA). The five priority sectors include advanced manufacturing, clean energy, health care, information communication technologies (ICT), and life sciences. We identified and prioritized these sectors for workforce development because of their significant employment growth rates, strong wages and number of job openings.

This year, we are releasing an update for each of the priority sectors in a single report that provides new information and an overview of the changes each sector has experienced since the previous reports were published. This updated research will help guide the public workforce development system in supporting, developing and evaluating employment and training programs for the priority sectors.

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Advanced Manufacturing highlights

Clean Energy highlights

Health Care highlights

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) highlights

Life Sciences highlights

Public Sector: Employment Trends and Career Opportunities

The public sector is made up of publically controlled and funded entities, providing public goods and services to people living in San Diego County. This study focuses on 36 in-demand occupations in five key occupational clusters within the public sector: Administration, K–12 Educators, Maintenance and Landscaping, Public Utilities and Safety. It serves to inform the workforce development system—educational training institutions, the Workforce Development Board and community organizations—on how best to prepare the future workforce for these five occupational clusters.

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Download the report highlights (1 MB)

Nonprofit Sector: Employment Trends and Career Opportunities

The nonprofit sector plays a critical, but often unseen role in supporting and promoting activities that improve the lives of county residents, filling gaps in critical social services when needed. This study aims to inform the workforce development system—educational training institutions, Workforce Development Boards and community workforce development organizations—on how to best prepare the future workforce for this sector. The full report analyzes data on job growth, training gaps, hiring challenges and in-demand skills from firms in the nonprofit sector.

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Priority Sector Handouts

Please note this information has been updated. Please refer to the latest priority sector information available at workforce.org/reports or workforce.org/posters. We ask that you not reproduce or distribute the below as they contain outdated information.

A companion piece to the priority sector posters, these printable 2-pagers offer ideas on how to begin a career in each sector. Learn more at workforce.org/mycareer.

Download print-ready files (PDF) of Advanced Manufacturing Handout

Download print-ready files (PDF) of Clean Energy Handout

Download print-ready files (PDF) of Health Care Handout

Download print-ready files (PDF) of Life Sciences Handout

Download print-ready files (PDF) of ICT Handout

Flip the Script: San Diego’s Opportunity Youth

There are approximately 43,000 opportunity youth in San Diego County. These are 16–24-year-olds who are neither in school nor employed. This study tells the story of San Diego’s opportunity youth and the organizations that serve them, and presents a vision for how we might flip the script for San Diego’s youth.

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In-Demand Jobs 2016

The In-Demand Jobs report uses employer feedback and labor market information to profile 55 of San Diego County’s top occupations. A list totaling 154 In-Demand Jobs describes employer trends and San Diego-specific information on wages, skills, job growth and employer expectations. This report acts as a guide for students and job seekers as they conduct their career explorations to enter or rejoin the world of work.

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Download the report highlights (1 MB)

Retail Industry: Labor Market Analysis

The retail industry sector employs approximately 286,100 workers, making up 19.2% of all jobs in San Diego County. In addition to its considerable impact on local jobs, sales tax revenue and quality of life in San Diego County, retail also plays a critical role in developing essential skills in the region’s workforce and introducing young people to the world of work. This report analyzes the retail labor market and its opportunities for career advancement.

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Download the report highlights (1 MB)