Jessica Goodhart

Building a 21st Century Workforce and Market – What’s the Solution? (KPCC Forum Series)

Matt Horton, John Cohn, Ben Bergman, Kevin Clowden, Vontone Quinlevin, Jessica Goodhart, Russell Ragsdale

Presenters analyze California's severe economic challenges, including a 5.9% unemployment rate and housing unaffordability, alongside a critical workforce shortage driven by the decoupling of productivity and employment numbers. In response, local utilities like Southern California Edison and community colleges are piloting "earn while you learn" programs and expanding Career Technical Education to fill high-paying middle-skill roles in sectors ranging from solar energy to advanced manufacturing. The discussion concludes that future regional competitiveness depends on shifting toward a continuous retraining economy supported by micro-credentials and targeted government procurement to sustain local employment growth.