Career Pathway Development
Energy and Advanced Manufacturing

Traditional “smokestack” industries including the energy, chemical and advanced manufacturing sectors are all faced with an aging workforce with retirements estimated at 40-60% during the next five years. Despite offering high wage, secure jobs paying as much as $90,000 per year, these industries have been handicapped by a blue collar image and challenges recruiting a diverse, young and qualified workforce.

Growth Sector Role: Growth Sector developed an industry driven nine month career pathway leading to entry-level placement with energy, chemical and other advanced manufacturing employers. The program includes recruitment, training the range of skills and required competencies, paid try-out employment and job placement. Growth Sector also is developing a Bridge program to ready lower skilled youth to enter this pathway.

Partners: BP, Conoco-Phillips, Dow Chemical, Exxon-Mobil, General Mills, Shell and Valero.

Career Pathway Development: BIO-TECH
Department of Labor 2005 Recognition of Excellence Award

Bio-tech has become one of the fastest growing and most sought after employment sectors. Cities such as San Francisco and San Diego have major bio-tech clusters, while other cities throughout the country aim to expand bio-tech employment. While many of these jobs are in the research area, an increasing number – particularly in larger firms – are in manufacturing. These positions, most requiring two or fewer years of post-secondary training, potentially offer high paying career opportunities to disadvantaged youth and adults.

Growth Sector Role: Working with employers, community colleges and workforce agencies, Growth Sector developed a six month career pathway leading to entry-level placement as process technicians at program sites in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and San Diego counties in California. Growth Sector helped to develop the program, recruit partners and employers and secure funding. Now Growth Sector is developing a Bridge program to ready lower skilled youth to enter this pathway.

Awards: The San Francisco Bay Area Bio-Tech Career pathway has placed more than 80% of graduates with positions at Genentech, Bayer and other major local employers. Growth Sector was recognized with the 2005 Department of Labor Recognition of Excellence Award and the 2005 National Association of Counties Human Services Innovation Award for its role in developing and implementing the Bay Area pathway