Following the release of the South Central Coast District Profile Reports and Dashboards, the South Central Coast Center of Excellence for Labor Market Research (SCC COE) presented findings and insights to assist regional community colleges with aligning educational programs with middle-skill workforce needs.

• • • On the other side of the region, the SCC COE spoke to Northern Santa Barbara County’s labor market strengths and challenges at Allan Hancock College’s inaugural Campfire Conversations Advisory Committee Convening. Speaking to nearly 250 attendees, SCC COE Director Jacob Poore discussed how growth is projected to remain strong in the Santa Maria area due to its relatively low cost of living. However, growth is driven by the low-wage Agricultural, Water and Environmental Technologies sector. Despite this challenge, there are growing opportunities in Advanced Transportation and Logistics; Energy, Construction, and Utilities; and Health.
    • As part of College of the Canyons’ Integrated Planning Data and Insight Summit, the SCC COE presented labor market data related to demand in the Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys, emphasizing opportunities within the Health sector and the challenges Santa Clarita faces due to its large employment base in the low-wage Retail, Hospitality and Tourism sector.
    • In September, the SCC COE presented at the Antelope Valley Economic Development & Growth Enterprise (AVEdge) Education Committee, highlighting career education opportunities within the rapidly developing Aerospace and Defense, Advanced Manufacturing, and Health sectors in the Antelope Valley.

The SCC COE is available by request to present findings from the District Profiles at regional community college events, including advisory committees and strategic planning meetings. For more information, contact SCC COE Director Jacob Poore or SCC COE Research Manager Ashley Kernan.