The San Francisco Bay Area is home to some of the world’s most forward-thinking businesses and an economic powerhouse. However, the benefits of prosperity are not universally shared. In the Bay Area, over one-third of the total workforce earns less than $18 per hour (less than $36,000 per year for full-time work).
This learning session will explore pathways to Bay Area middle and higher wage career opportunities for people who are unemployed, under-employed, or employed in in low-skilled, low paid positions. Increasing economic opportunity and mobility maximizes the skills of all types of workers and providing pathways to better employment, higher compensation and improved quality of life for a broader segment of the Bay Area population.
Come hear a panel of experts discuss this model and share lessons learned from their on-the-ground practitioners’ perspective. Speakers include:
- Carla Javits, President and CEO of the Roberts Enterprise Development Fund (REDF)
- Stephen Levy, Director and Senior Economist of the Center for Continuing Study of the California Economy (CCSCE)
- Judy Miner, Chancellor of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District
Workforce and career pathway programs require close connection with employers and economic development efforts to be most effective. Evidence shows a sectoral approach to workforce development that targets training to particular employers that need workers or to particular sectors of the economy in which labor demand is strong is especially effective. Key partners for improving basic skills training include Workforce Investment Boards and the training providers they fund, community college systems including the California Strong Workforce Program, and other community-based organizations working with lower-wage workers to improve their skills.
Join us on November 2 to learn together what initiatives and organizations are creating career pathways that will improve the quality of life for a greater number of people and families across the Bay Area.
In December, interested Partners will discuss overall learnings from our Fall series, and choose focus areas for the Spring grant round, which will run from January-May. Note that all Partners are welcome to participate in this Pathways to Opportunity year at the level they are interested and available. We encourage you to pick and choose what interests you and works for your schedule from attending all the learning sessions and participating in the grant round to joining in select learning sessions and/or grant round sessions. We will be recording (audio and video) all learning sessions and grant round sessions (audio) so that you can catch up if you miss a session. Please contact SV2 Partner leaders Alison Elliott or Linda Lazor if you have questions or suggestions about the year.
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