Identifying high-demand, high-wage careers is vital to driving economic stability and mobility in Imperial County. In its latest study, Priority Jobs and Programs in Imperial County, the San Diego & Imperial Center of Excellence (SDI COE) analyzed labor market and postsecondary data to identify priority jobs and programs, uncover equity gaps based on age, gender, and race/ethnicity, and assess where progress has been made to address equity gaps. These insights can inform enrollment and hiring efforts to build a more diverse and representative workforce in Imperial County.

Highlights from the Report

• The San Diego & Imperial COE identified 52 priority occupations that have at least 13 annual openings and pay at or above the living wage ($15.14/hr) in Imperial County.
• The study also found 59 priority community college program areas that train for one or more priority jobs.

Equity Gaps in Priority Jobs

• Of the 52 priority jobs, females were significantly underrepresented in 26 occupations
• and males in 21 occupations.
• There were also 25 priority jobs with an overrepresentation of workers ages 55+, suggesting a workforce nearing retirement age.
• In terms of race/ethnicity, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) were underrepresented in 42 occupations.

Equity Gaps in Priority Program Areas

• Of the 59 priority programs, females were significantly underrepresented in 11 priority programs, males in six programs, and students aged 19 and younger in 11 programs.
• None of Imperial Valley College’s programs had an under-representation of BIPOC students (all programs had over 90% BIPOC students), but five priority programs had no students who identified as Black/African-American.

Download the full report here.