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LA COE Contributes to Study on New, Emerging Sector: The Ocean Economy

The Los Angeles Center of Excellence (COE) recently collaborated on a pioneering study examining the ocean economy and how it fuels Los Angeles County’s overall economic activity.

The report “Ocean Economy 101: Emerging Educational Supply and Labor Market Demand” examines six sectors that comprise the blue economy, as it’s also known, and finds that the tourism and recreation sector and marine transportation (specifically shipping) sector will be the biggest contributors to future growth. 

Several emerging sectors with the greatest potential for long-term growth were identified, including offshore wind, surveillance and safety, and marine aquaculture.

The exploratory report provides additional baseline findings on this emerging sector and discusses the potential for work-based learning and careers for community college students. The report presents findings that can be applied toward program development and expansion opportunities for Los Angeles County’s 19 community colleges. 

The report also highlights AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, a public-private partnership focused on business, science, and education, which is considered a driving force and innovator for this industry cluster. Santa Monica College has partnered with AltaSea to develop and launch their newest career education program focused on aquaculture (farming in the ocean).

In addition to the Los Angeles COE, the report was produced in collaboration with LAEDC’s Institute for Applied EconomicsMilken Institute, and the Los Angeles Regional Consortium. LAEDC is in the process of planning a second regional program advisory focused on this area in the Fall. The report was initially published on the Center for a Competitive Workforce’s website.