Preparing youth for careers: How businesses can help | |
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Businesses play a crucial role in helping young people identify and pursue their adult careers. In doing so, companies can contribute to a brighter future for the upcoming generation while reaping various benefits themselves.
This is part of the thinking behind Youth Forward, the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board’s youth employment initiative.
How can businesses help?
They can hire students for part-time jobs after school or on weekends. They can provide internships and apprenticeships, allowing young people to gain practical experience, develop essential skills and build a professional network.
Mentorship and coaching programs within organizations enable young employees to learn from experienced professionals.
Businesses also can invest in education and training initiatives, including tuition reimbursement and skills development programs. Or they can partner with educational institutions to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world job requirements.
Businesses that actively support and invest in young people’s career development not only contribute to the growth of the next generation but also enhance their own competitiveness and sustainability in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
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‘Partnering with businesses provides invaluable insight’ |  | |
“How many of you want to come back and make pizzas?” Executive Chef Daly Cruz knew the answer, but he wanted to hear it for himself as an enthusiastic cohort of local high school culinary arts students wrapped up a recent backstage tour of Cruz’ kitchen, while showcasing some of their own cooking skills, at the Ontario Convention Center.
Nearly 50 students from Ontario High School and Montclair High School spent the morning getting an intimate look at one of the region’s major event centers and hearing from the Executive Chef and others on career opportunities in the booming hospitality industry.
According to the California Employment Development Department, the hospitality industry employs more than 180,000 people in the Inland Empire, ranking it among the Top 5 employment categories in the two-county region. Demand for chefs, cooks and food servers is expected to surge over the next decade, with a projected net increase of 47,000 jobs.
“Partnering with businesses is a critical component of our career pathway initiatives, in this case providing invaluable insight into the opportunities that exist in the hospitality industry,” said Dr. Mathew Holton, Chaffey District Superintendent.
Cruz sees a pipeline of eager, young chefs heading his way, sooner than later: “We’ve got jobs now that many of these kids could do on the weekends and after school.”
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There is so much to be thankful for | |
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William Sterling
WDB Chair
As we approach the holiday season, I am reminded of how fortunate we are to live and work in this incredible county and region. As our lead story illustrates once again, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties have emerged as Southern California’s premier economic and employment center.
I am grateful for that, and for the support of our business community, without which we wouldn’t be seeing the career opportunities that the Southern California Association of Governments and others project for the Inland Empire (IE) over the next quarter century.
I am appreciative of the career seekers who are discovering that San Bernardino County and the IE are a great place to live, work and raise a family.
And I am thankful to our Workforce Development Board and our team of Workforce Development professionals, whose energy and commitment are transforming lives.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone. And thank you for the opportunity to serve you.
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Monthly Labor Market Update | San Bernardino County’s labor market experienced its traditional post-summer surge in September as employment jumped to its highest level since March. The county’s labor force also reached its highest level since March and saw year-over-year growth of more than 2,000 jobs. Across the Inland Empire, the health care and social assistance sector added 12,900 jobs, far and away the biggest increase. Local government ranked No. 2, with 7,700 jobs added. | |
On my 16th birthday, I started my day by joining my dad at our usual spot, the dining table. He handed me a card, and it was unlike any other birthday card I'd received before. In it was a list of job postings with circles around the ones I was eligible for, including a position as a retail clerk at the new Ross Dress for Less store opening in our town. The hiring process was a bustling affair, with multiple candidates being interviewed simultaneously. To my surprise, I was offered the job on the spot, and the very next day, I found myself immersed in the world of retail, setting up displays, unloading trucks and moving heaps of clothing. The experience of building an entire store from scratch was nothing short of fantastic. It provided me with valuable insights into logistics, pricing, safety procedures and the art of achieving efficiency within a limited time frame, especially when working with the right team. But then came the customers. I felt incredibly fortunate to have previously volunteered for a couple of years as a candy striper at our community hospital. To my delight, many of the skills I had acquired during that time seamlessly transferred over to my new role. I learned the importance of listening to a person’s needs and determining the appropriate action or solution to address their concerns. This skill turned out to be the cornerstone of exceptional customer service in the retail world and has remained a crucial asset throughout my professional career. | |
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WDB hosts free virtual seminars throughout the week to help job seekers on topics such as interviewing skills, resume building and navigating the employment resources that are available. If you know of anyone who could use this valuable assistance, a calendar of upcoming sessions is available here.
In the meantime, here are some upcoming events and release dates:
Friday, November 17: California Employment Development Department releases its October jobs report.
Wednesday, December 6: WDB Executive Board Meeting, 290 North D St., Suite 600, San Bernardino, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Friday, December 22: California Employment Development Department releases its November jobs report.
Thursday, December 28: Bureau of Labor Statistics releases its November jobs report.
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Visit our YouTube channel to view archived videos of our Business Services webinars, such as this one on communicating like a leader. | | |
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Click here to catch up on past editions of Workforce Update, WDB’s monthly e-newsletter and labor market intelligence report.
If you know others who would like to receive this timely and important information, please invite them to join our mailing list at info.workforce@wdd.sbcounty.gov.
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WIOA Title I-financially assisted programs or activities are an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. For federal funding disclosure information, visit: workforce.sbcounty.gov/about/ffd/
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