By San Diego Workforce Partnership

As San Diego County’s unemployment rate hovers at 5% – one of its highest levels in four years, the San Diego Workforce Partnership (SDWP) celebrated the opening of its new South Bay Career Center at 333 H Street in Chula Vista, bringing critical career services to a region long underserved by workforce development resources.

The timing is critical. Within five miles of the new South Bay Career Center, unemployment stands at 8%, nearly double the county average of 5% and the national rate of 4.3%. Long-term unemployment nationwide is also rising, with more than one in four unemployed workers now jobless for 27 weeks or longer. The new center, which is more centrally located with convenient access to public transit compared to its previous location at 111 Bay Blvd, will help South County residents avoid prolonged unemployment by connecting them to jobs, training and educational opportunities closer to home.

“When every San Diegan has a fair chance to succeed, our entire community is stronger,” said Rachel Bereza, President and CEO of the San Diego Workforce Partnership. “This center brings us closer to ensuring no San Diegan is more than 10 minutes from the career services they need. For too long, South County residents have been left out of the resources that lead to stability and mobility. By bringing career services closer to where people live, we’re saying clearly: Every community deserves access to good jobs, education, and a path to thrive.”

Addressing South County’s Unique Workforce Challenges

The center’s opening responds to longstanding barriers facing South County residents.

Health care, retail and manufacturing make up more than one-third of South Bay’s industry, with over 11,000 local businesses employing more than 103,000 workers. Yet,  many residents travel outside the region for work and face long commutes to job centers north of the city, which ranks among residents’ top complaints, according to Chula Vista’s new City Manager Tiffany Allen. Also, the region, which is home to nearly 600,000 residents, has been described as a “college desert” with limited access to bachelor’s degree programs.

Free Services for All County Residents

The South Bay Career Center is part of SDWP’s network of career centers across San Diego County that serve more than 70,000 residents ages 16 and older. The center offers no-cost services with priority support for unemployed and underemployed individuals, veterans, and young adults. Resources include:

  • Job placement and career exploration
  • Paid internships and mentorships
  • Workshops, skills assessments, and labor market insights
  • Assistance with post-secondary degrees and industry-recognized certifications
  • Scholarships for training programs

Data-Driven Approach to Economic Mobility

San Diego is a region of opportunity, yet there are critical disparities in our workforce landscape with 25% of families living in areas of deprivation, and three in ten are considered “economically vulnerable.” The center opening is part of SDWP’s broader strategy to address regional inequalities in economic opportunity. In October, SDWP unveiled the Workforce Needs & Assets Map, a digital tool that visualizes where opportunity is limited and where resources exist to close the gap. Built in partnership with the San Diego Policy & Innovation Center, the interactive map layers data on jobs, education, income, housing, and health to reveal where San Diegans face the greatest barriers to economic mobility.

Together, the relocation of career services in South Bay and the launch of the mapping tool reflect SDWP’s commitment to ensuring that every San Diegan, no matter their ZIP code, has a clear pathway to opportunity, which is needed during today’s uncertain economic times. 

The grand opening celebration featured remarks from SDWP President and CEO Rachel Bereza along with community leaders including District Policy Board Member and San Diego County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre, San Diego City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera, Chula Vista Mayor John McCann, SDWP Workforce Development Board Vice Chair Jamie Gardner and Gaylord Pacific Hotel General Manager Scott Siebert. The event included a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony, guided tours of the new facility and live mariachi performances.