In September of 2022, the District Workforce and Economic Development and the County of Riverside hosted the Growing a Future Regional Workforce for the Inland Empire Conference with Palugyai and the county’s Workforce Development Agency. Held at the Riverside Convention Center, the conference included a keynote by the secretary, three featured panels, and breakout sessions for deeper discussions. Investment capital for businesses was highlighted as lacking and a challenge in the region, and the need for a center to teach trades. Approximately 54 percent of the region’s current workforce is neither formally trained nor skilled and earns insufficient pay and/or benefits in jobs with no viable career pathway to a good job, according to Brookings, 2019.

The District’s strategic plan addresses the need to ensure equity and access to opportunities for communities, particularly communities of color, women, and other marginalized groups. By providing training for residents who have traditionally been excluded from engaging in the region’s growing prosperity and economic opportunity, the District colleges will support the region’s continued economic development.