The South County EDC Presents:

Workforce & Education Forum 2025

Held on November 21st, 2025, at the South County Lighthouse.

Thank You for Joining Us!

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Dear attendees,

Thank you for attending the South County Economic Development Council’s Workforce & Education Forum. We appreciate your time and participation in this important conversation about building a strong roadmap for our workforce of today and tomorrow.

Your engagement and insights help strengthen collaboration and innovation across our region. We hope you found the discussions informative and inspiring, and we look forward to continuing this dialogue with you. Thank you again for being part of this event!

— South County Economic Development Council

Panel HIGHLIGHTS

Adapting Education for a Rapidly Changing Workforce

A discussion on how education and training programs can adapt to meet the changing demands of South County’s key industries.

• A conversation on how education and training programs can adapt to meet the changing demands of today’s workforce.

• Featuring insights on CTE, alternative career paths, upskilling, and preparing for emerging industries.

• Exploring how schools, colleges, and civic partners are aligning education with the needs of the new economy.

Jennifer Lewis - Speaker

Southwestern College

Sean Hauze - Speaker

San Diego State University

Lizzette Weber - Moderator

Talent Connect

Keynote Speaker

Tina Ngo Bartel

Tina Ngo Bartel brings deep insight into how education, workforce trends, and community needs intersect.

She will connect the dots between program offerings, student demographics, and job placement trends across our region—revealing where alignment is strong and where opportunity lies. Join us for a powerful look at how data and collaboration can shape a stronger, more equitable workforce for the future.

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Building Bridges to the Future

Join Toni Giffin, CEO of Goodwill San Diego, and Jorge Marquez, Chief Impact Officer of Goodwill Southern California, for an inspiring conversation about the transformative work being done to prepare California’s workforce for the future.

Jorge Marquez brings deep expertise from his leadership in advancing statewide apprenticeship programs, guiding labor and equity initiatives, and creating pathways for underrepresented communities.

Jorge Marquez

Goodwill San Diego

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Toni Giffin

Goodwill San Diego

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Talent Retention and Attraction

Explore how our region is working together to retain and grow homegrown talent through education, connection, and opportunity.

• Creating clear educational and career pipelines that help students engage early and build lasting local careers.

• Investing in talent development and partnerships between educators, businesses, and communities.

• Highlighting the value of our local workforce and the opportunities available right here in South County.

Donna San Miguel

California State University
San Marcos

Claudia Huerta

MAAC

Yoli Soler - Speaker

High Tech High Chula Vista

Dolores C. Jackson
Moderator

Lolitas Mexican Restaurant

About the Forum

The South County Economic Development Council Workforce & Education Forum will spotlight the critical intersection of workforce development and education—exploring how South County can continue to align talent with opportunity, strengthen employer pipelines, and prepare residents for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

Purpose

The forum will serve as a regional platform to:

• Identify workforce needs of key industries in South County.

• Hear directly from employees about their experiences, needs, and challenges.

• Showcase educational pathways and continued training opportunities.

• Foster dialogue between employers, educators, employees, and government.

• Highlight opportunities for innovation, equity, and talent development.

Highlights of the Forum

Keynote Conversations with workforce and education leaders. Panel Discussions featuring employers, employees, educators, and policymakers on:

• Industry Workforce Demands.

• Education and Continued Training Pathways.

• Employee Perspectives: Barriers, Needs, and Opportunities.

• Government Policy & Employer Support.

• Affordability, Equity, and Quality of Life for South County’s Workforce.

Future Skills & Emerging Sectors

Spotlight Sessions highlighting successful workforce-education collaborations in South County. Networking Opportunities to connect businesses with training providers, educators, employees, and community partners.

Why It Matters

The Workforce & Education Forum is more than just a gathering—it’s a conversation that shapes the future of South County. By elevating voices from every part of the workforce system—employers, educators, policymakers, and employees themselves—this event creates a collaborative space to address real challenges, from training and career growth to affordability and equity in quality of life.

The discussions will drive solutions that ensure South County’s workforce is not only skilled and competitive but also supported in building sustainable, thriving lives.

"The Workforce & Education Forum unites civic, business, and community leaders to tackle workforce training and career development challenges, fostering collaboration and partnerships for meaningful community impact."