The Northern San Joaquin Regional Collaborative is one of six workforce preparation and economic development demonstration projects in California created under the Regional Workforce Preparation and Economic Development Act (RWPEDA).

In 1998, the California legislature enacted RWPEDA to demonstrate how, through the collaboration of state and local resources, education, work force preparation and economic development services can be delivered to clients in a more responsive, integrated, and effective manner.

Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne counties in central California make up the Northern San Joaquin Region.

Leadership
In its initial year, the leadership consisted of the San Joaquin County Private Industry Council, San Joaquin County Office of Education, San Joaquin Delta College, San Joaquin Human Services, and the San Joaquin Partnership. The Governing Board consists of representatives from private industry councils, county offices of education, local school districts, community colleges, human service/CalWORKS agencies, private businesses, and economic development entities in the eight-county region.

Goal
A regional employment and education system that meets or exceeds employers’ needs.

Strategy
As a catalyst for innovation within the region, the approach is twofold: conducting research that leads to resource development and providing connections for partners so they can access Collaborative products, services, and share information to achieve common goals.

Tactics

• Conduct an industry cluster study to create a regional business and employment profile;
  
• Research and develop basic and technology skills education and training;
  
• Research and develop health care occupational education and training;
  
• Develop an Internet website to connect partners and disseminate research; and
• Create a regional videoconference network to connect partners.
  

Outcome
The Northern San Joaquin regional labor force has the professional, technology, critical thinking, basic, and interpersonal skills to be prepared and effective employees.

Updates
Behind each of these topics you'll get the latest information on progress to meet our goals.

Basic Skills for Workplace Success

The goal of this project is to develop K-Adult education and training that produces individuals with workplace competencies and foundation skills so they are prepared and effective employees.

We are using the Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) as our guide.

Technology Skills for Workplace Success

The goal of this project is to support and enhance K-16 and adult school instruction to deliver education that meets or exceeds technology competency levels as identified by regional employers. The technology skills project will focus on low performing schools in the eight-county region.

• Technology and Schools Project

Health Care Occupations

This project will identify the availability of health service occupations education and training in the eight-county region. We will also identify the present and future employment needs of health care employers throughout the region, and conduct a gap analysis between education offered and employersí needs.

• Health Care Occupations
• National Healthcare Skills Standards Project

Industry Cluster Study

The industry cluster study will analyze existing and emerging industry clusters, define primary and secondary industries in these clusters, and associated jobs and job skills.