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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-12-18; Economic Development Subcommittee; ; Update on Workforce and Talent ProgramsECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE Meeting Date: Dec. 18,2023 To: Economic Development Subcommittee From: David Graham, Chief Innovation Officer Staff Contact: Subject: Recommended Action David Graham, Chief Innovation Officer david.graham@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-5992 Update on Workforce and Talent Programs Receive an informational report regarding progress on workforce and talent programs contained within the Economic D'evelopment Strategic Plan (EDSP}, discuss and provide a recommendation. Discussion As reflected in the EDSP, workforce and talent challenges are among· the most pressing issues faced by businesses on an ongoing basis. Across the country, many economic development programs now include workforce and talent programs as means to bolster economic competitiveness. In the San Diego region, both the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation and San Diego North Economic Development Council have invested heavily in developing resources to better align talent with job opportunities. In this vein, one of the key pillars of the EDSP is focused on better connecting potential workers to opportunities within Carlsbad companies. Staff have made continuous progress on talent programming over the first half of the fiscal year. The city's efforts help ensure strong talent pipelines for Carlsbad companies and help current and prospective residents find meaningful work opportunities. Building on our commitment to fostering a robust and equitable talent pipeline, staff are implementing strategic actions that align with the EDSP's action plan. These actions are designed to enhance Carlsbad's attractiveness to skilled workers, support local businesses in their recruitment efforts, and ensure our workforce is equipped with the necessary skills to thrive in the modern economy. Life in Action: Recognizing the importance of showcasing Carlsbad as an ideal place to live and work, we are utilizing the Life in Action program to promote the city as a great place to live and work. Highlighting the unique lifestyle, cultural richness, and career opportunities available in our city, Life in Action engages audiences via persistent social media posts, monthly newsletters, and original content. By effectively communicating these attributes, we aim to attract a diverse and talented workforce who are drawn not only to the quality of life that Carlsbad affords but also to the career prospects of our key industries and businesses. In the last year, Life in Action published 918 social media posts, engaging 132,000 people. Dec. 18, 2023 Item #3 Page 1 of 3 Staff also authored 11 articles and published 11 newsletters. Life in Action Recruiter: To make it easier for employers to connect with potential talent, staff are enhancing the "Life in Action Recruiter" tool. As part of the fiscal year 2023-2024 budget, the Economic Development Subcommittee recommended additional funds for the build-out of the recruiter platform, which was in turn approved by the City Council. The upgraded interface provides a more user-friendly and efficient platform for employers to recruit interested workers. By streamlining this process and making the platform more efficient for employers, we aim to facilitate better matches between local businesses and job seekers, thereby optimizing the recruitment process. The upgraded platform is currently in beta as the final kinks get worked out and will launch in January 2024. Collaboration with Local Partners and Educational Institutions: Staff are actively collaborating with local partners and educational institutions to increase student awareness of job and internship opportunities in Carlsbad. For example, staff are in conversations with CSU San Marcos to determine how to better provide connectivity options, like shuttles, to Carlsbad employers. Staff are also working with the university and the San Diego North Economic Development Council to promote campus housing as an option for summer interns. Through this program, CSU San Marcos will offer blocks of rooms to summer interns at Carlsbad companies at a discounted "rack rate". The program, set to begin in Summer 2024, removes a significant barrier for interns -affordable options for summer housing. Several Carlsbad employers have expressed significant interest in the program and laud the idea to expand their ability to hire interns from across the country. Expanding the Job Readiness Room: The Job Readiness Room (JRR), offered through Carlsbad Libraries completed the pilot phase in July 2023. The program partners learned several lessons about demand, industry interests from participants, and usability by businesses. The program succeeded in providing new skills to more than 100 Carlsbad residents and workers, but fell short on placements within Carlsbad companies, at roughly 15% placement/success in finding a new job. In debriefing with Carlsbad employers, it was evident that while the program did upskill candidates, it was too challenging to break outside their standard hiring practices. As such, the JRR partners reconfigured the program to provide more specific upskilling pathways for newly hired employees. In this form, the program will allow for 25 small-to-medium-sized Carlsbad employers to provide 15-20 hours of job training for new employees once a hire has been made. This pivot, which will be promoted through the Chamber of Commerce, better aligns with current employer hiring practices and continues to provide a more qualified workforce that supports the city's competitiveness. Evaluating Micromobility Options: To improve accessibility to employment centers, staff continues to monitor North County Transit District's efforts to revive the former Carlsbad Connector program to provide first and last-mile connectivity from transit hubs to major employers and business parks. This initiative, which aligns with the city's Transportation Demand Management plan is also how the city would propose to move students from CSU San Marcos to the business park. It aims to address transportation barriers that might prevent talented individuals who do not live within close proximity to Carlsbad from accessing employment opportunities. By improving connectivity and transit options, Carlsbad Dec. 18,2023 Item #3 Page 2 of 3 is making it easier for workers to commute, thereby expanding the talent pool available to our local businesses. These strategic actions are integral to our vision of nurturing a dynamic, skilled, and accessible workforce in Carlsbad. By focusing on these key areas, we are not only enhancing our city's economic competitiveness but also ensuring that residents have access to rewarding career opportunities and a high quality of life. Next Steps With feedback from the Economic Development Subcommittee, staff will continue to execute strategies and tactics included in the economic development strategic actions, in conformance with the Economic Development Strategic Plan approved by City Council. Public Notification Public notice of this item was posted in keeping with the Ralph M. Brown Act and was available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours before the scheduled meeting date. Exhibits None. Dec. 18, 2023 Item #3 Page 3 of 3 UPDATE ON WORKFORCE AND TALENT PROGRAMS Recommendation: Receive an informational report regarding progress on workforce and talent programs contained within the Economic Development Strategic Plan, discuss and provide a recommendation. It e m 3 INNOVATION & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NATIONAL TRENDS •Growing demand for skilled talent •Skills needed are rapidly evolving •Highly educated and highly skilled talent are key drivers of a vibrant economy INNOVATION & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Workforce & Talent Carlsbad is a North County employment leader Carlsbad is a net- importer of jobs 60,000 residents are in the workforce 99,500 jobs in Carlsbad Carlsbad has a highly educated workforce 60.4% have a bachelor’s degree or higher 23.7% have a graduate of professional degree Carlsbad employers are hiring 11,398 job postings July – September 2023 Median advertised salary is $51,100 Talent Challenges The #1 challenge we hear from businesses The jobs to labor ratio is extremely tight 1.7 open jobs for every available worker Lack of housing affordability Median home price in Carlsbad is $1.44 million Workforce trends affect competitiveness Hybrid work and remote work are both an opportunity and a challenge THE ROLE CITIES CAN PLAY •To remain competitive, cities and regions must be engaged in building talent pipelines that develop and attract qualified workers to the area •Demonstrating work/life balance and high quality of life makes an area more attractive to talent •Supporting and developing connections to higher education and skills-training organizations supports industry development INNOVATION & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL IMPACT •Innovation economy workers generally draw earn wages and have higher earning potential •These workers make strong consumers, thereby supporting local businesses and the economy •Regions with a concentration of qualified workers are more desirable for expanding businesses, furthering economic growth INNOVATION & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WHAT CARLSBAD IS DOING Life in Action Outbound communication and engagement to position Carlsbad as a destination for talent •Published 918 social media posts •Engaged 132,000 individuals •Authored 11 articles about Carlsbad businesses and industries •Sent 11 newsletters to businesses INNOVATION & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WHAT CARLSBAD IS DOING Life in Action Recruiter Capturing inbound interest from those interested in starting a Carlsbad career •More than 400 individuals submitted information to connect with Carlsbad employers so far •Enhancements being made to make the platform more usable and efficient for businesses •Improvements to better track throughput and better market the program to both businesses and job-seekers •Updates will be live in January INNOVATION & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WHAT CARLSBAD IS DOING Collaboration with Partners and Educational Institutions Bolstering the pipeline of students for internship and job opportunities •In partnership with SDNEDC and other North County Cities, establishing a new summer housing program with CSU San Marcos •Working with NCTD and on potential options to move students from nearby campuses to intern opportunities in the business park INNOVATION & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WHAT CARLSBAD IS DOING Micro-mobility Options for Workers Establishing more ways to get talent to work •Pursuing last-mile connectivity that improves access between employment centers and transit hubs •Helps address housing affordability challenges by reducing the commute burden for workers that live further from Carlsbad •Aligns with the City’s TDM plan INNOVATION & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WHAT CARLSBAD IS DOING Job-Readiness Room Helping new hires become more productive, faster •100 job-seekers used the platform to upskill in the pilot phase •Offering a redesigned program to directly support businesses that are hiring by providing training options for new hires •Offers rapid skills training for new hires to become more productive and better qualified INNOVATION & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT