San Diego is a city known for its innovation, yet in 2022, a paradox emerged: while 42,100 people were unemployed, the region had 75,630 unique job postings. The numbers didn’t add up. Employers were searching for talent, yet thousands remained without work. A deeper look revealed the crux of the issue—many jobs required a bachelor’s degree on paper, despite the reality that the skills needed could often be gained through other pathways. This education-to-employment mismatch disproportionately affected Black and Latinx youth, who faced the lowest college readiness rates in the region.
Determined to turn the talent shortage into an opportunity, the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) launched Advancing San Diego, a program designed to break down these barriers and expand career access. By leveraging the Talent Pipeline Management® (TPM) framework, they engaged employers to take a proactive role in shaping workforce development. The key strategies? Communication, adaptation, and access.
Employers were challenged to rethink hiring practices—shifting from outdated degree requirements to skills-based hiring. Education partners, including local colleges and training programs, aligned their curricula with industry needs, ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds were learning the skills employers actually required. This realignment meant more Black and Latinx youth could access high-quality jobs without unnecessary educational barriers standing in their way.
Advancing San Diego proved that when employers drive the conversation, workforce strategies become more effective. The key lesson? Hiring practices must evolve to reflect real skills, not just credentials. By eliminating inflated degree requirements and creating clear, equitable career pathways, San Diego isn’t just closing the talent gap—it’s building a more inclusive and competitive economy for the future.
Learn more about Advancing San Diego here.