Strategic Plans Target Workforce in San Diego Region

The San Diego Work Force Partnership recently released four strategic plans as a blueprint to prepare San Diego's workforce to compete in the changing global economy. Initiated as part of a broader Regional Workforce Development Strategic Planning Initiative, the plans reflect the concerns of area businesses for developing and maintaining skilled workers.



San Diego Regional Technology Alliance, a nonprofit organization, and San Diego State University completed the plans, which evaluated workforce development trends in four local industry clusters — biosciences, computer and electronics, software and computer services, and visitor services.



To study and formulate recommendations for the clusters, the plans' focus was to identify cluster employers' current training needs, data needs for educators and employers, and strategies to improve ongoing communication between educators and employers.



Key findings suggest that regional workforce committees be created around each industry to improve communication between industry and education.



Other conclusions recommend:

• constructing a training collaborative to allow small- and medium-sized employers access to affordable training for their employees;
• developing a regional database of training providers so that employers know where they can find training and what programs are available for their employees; and,
• conducting a study on training return on investment to quantify how investment in training is most effective.

The plans were funded through a U.S. Department of Labor Skill Shortages Grant awarded to the San Diego Work Force Partnership in 2000. Copies of the plans may be obtained by visiting: http://www.sdrta.org/sdrta/clusterdata/index.htm