A primary focus of the Center of Excellence (COE) is to respond to requests from college faculty and staff who need data to support workforce specific programs and curriculum. Andy Hall, who leads report development, shared that over the next few years, the COE will create deeper economic and workforce research such as a Top 50 Jobs Report to identify a short list of jobs that represent the best opportunities for workers in struggling families to make ends meet and build wealth.

Hall says, “The report will help identify which of these quality or promising jobs that the current education system is producing sufficient talent for versus jobs where is there a big gap.

He further added, “It will also outline which jobs have equity and inclusion challenges, and most importantly, what are we going to do to help more workers from struggling families enter pathways to secure these jobs. More broadly, this information will make a difference in advancing the California Community College Chancellor’s Office and IEGO’s shared vision for a more inclusive economy.”

To learn more, visit https://iegocollab.com/programs-services/

IEGO’s first Corporate Council Convening facilitated a dialogue with business, government, and community leaders with remarks by Stewart Knox, Secretary, California Labor & Workforce Development Agency, along with presentations from the Center of Excellence and Brookings Institution.

IEGO Executive Director Matthew Mena welcomed everyone sharing IEGO’s priorities for the year including funding received from Governor Newsom directed to the Inland Empire as a California First collaborative to support economic development planning with an emphasis on career development projects ranging from capacity building to industry-specific programs and job training.

To share more on IEGO’s role as a Center for Excellence (COE), Mena introduced Andy Hall who helps lead the COE providing labor market information for community colleges and the region.

Knox’s presentation centered on the role of California’s Labor & Workforce Development Agency, noting that he emphasizes support for inland and rural communities because, as he stated, “We know that this is where businesses are going to grow, and we have strategies to help do that.”

While Knox also noted state budget challenges, he is committed to working with other state agencies to leverage resources and looks forward to collaborating with the 13 regions that comprise the California First collaboratives as they can help the state to better understand how best to direct dollars at the local level.

Save The Date: The next Corporate Council event will be held May 30, 2024 at the Ontario Convention Center. Contact info@iegocollaborative.com to learn more.

Riverside, CA – The Inland Economic Growth & Opportunity (IEGO), a collaborative organization dedicated to fostering economic growth, has announced its 2024 strategic priorities designed to create a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable economy for Southern California’s Inland Empire. Among its immediate priorities include its role in Governor Newsom’s California Jobs First regional jobs strategy.

“As one of the California Jobs First statewide collaboratives, IEGO is committed to engaging a wide ranging and diverse group of stakeholders in our economic development focus so that we can improve the quality of life for all residents across the region,” said IEGO Executive Director Matthew Mena.

IEGO’s strategy is critical. While Inland Southern California remains one of California’s top job growth markets, it also ranks as having the lowest average weekly wages according to employment data for the nation’s 50 largest county job markets as reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The IEGO 2024 priorities are designed to counter that trend and encourage greater business investment, including:

California Jobs First: IEGO will develop Inland Southern California’s regional jobs strategy to create quality jobs and a more accessible economy as part of Governor Newsom’s very intentional, inclusive approach to economic and workforce development to maximize state resources and investments by empowering communities to chart their own futures. Much of the funding will support career development projects from capacity building to industry-specific programs, and new job training.

Center of Excellence: As one of the state’s designated Center of Excellence, IEGO will support the region’s community colleges and their partners by providing research on the local labor market, including information on job growth, wages, demographics, top employers, education, and skill requirements, as well as education outcomes for industries and occupations critical to the Inland Empire’s economy. This data will help inform the development of new community college programs, curriculum, and partnerships that the colleges pursue in their efforts to prepare residents for high-paying, fast-growing jobs that Inland Empire businesses need today and in the future.  

Regional Marketing: IEGO will work to ensure that the region is well positioned to benefit from public and private investment and is fully recognized for its economic strength and opportunity. In this way, IEGO can enhance the delivery of public and private resources to the two-county region.

“There's real opportunity for the IEGO Center of Excellence to lead deeper economic and workforce research. One of the immediate areas is our Top 50 Jobs report. We want to better identify the best job opportunities and pathways for workers in struggling families to make ends meet and build wealth,” said Andy Hall, who is leading report development for the Center of Excellence.

About: IEGO is a collaborative organization dedicated to fostering economic growth, driving innovation, and promoting opportunity across Southern California’s Inland Empire. IEGO’s focus is to improve job opportunities, support higher wages, sustain workforce development, and enhance the delivery of public and private resources to the two-county region. IEGO’s approach is rooted in data-driven decision-making, evidence-based practices, and a deep understanding of the Inland Empire, its economy, strengths, and challenges. The collaborative non-profit empowers individuals and organizations to drive sustainable economic growth and improve the quality of life for residents across the region. To learn more, www.iegocollab.com.