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SKILLS DON’T MATCH AVAILABLE JOBS
In some cases, training might be available, even funded, but the jobs aren’t waiting when training is over. “Jobs are an opportunity and a risk,” one agency employer said. “We have training programs coming out our ears, but people don’t have the skills to get into those programs.” Another added, “People are getting lots of certificates – but if a job isn’t waiting, then it doesn’t do any good.” Even for those who do have education, the expectation of what kind of employment is available doesn’t always align with reality. One business leader commented, “Young people don’t know realistically what jobs pay or what the needs are, for example American engineers; we really need to link education and job possibilities: what can you actually do with a degree in math or physics?” Another continued, “I want to give these college and high school kids the things they need for the future, like internships from local community businesses. My oldest son dropped out of high school; now he wants to go to the community college program and get his GED. He passed the test the first time. If we are going to have these kids stay in school, we need to have them do an internship with local business to get more skills so that they are not out there just getting into trouble.”
“I have a degree but I’m not getting the jobs. I was going to be paid almost minimum wage…with a Bachelors. I looked at computer jobs and started taking classes. But in that field you need to upgrade. I’m a veteran, I have top secret clearance, I’m double degreed...and they still ask if I have IT certificates.”
“Refugees have experience as engineers and professionals – but to transfer that skill to the U.S. is hard. The evaluation and licensing process takes too long here; they don’t want to take a job below what they had and below their experience, so they stay unemployed.”
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The chasm between the haves and the have-nots is most obvious when opportunity and skills don’t align. In a world changed by the economic downturn, entire industries have left San Diego, while others have moved in, asking for different aptitudes and attitudes. An educational, financial and occupational gap has resulted, leaving both old and new scrambling to adjust to the new normal.
“The labor pool has shortened significantly – no one is offering the skill trade we need. We have to train in-house. I’d like to see education on these types of skills, so we don’t have to lower the qualification for that.”
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