During a recent discussion moderated by Flavio Olivieri, a Ph.D. holder in Global Development Studies and a research professor at CETYS University with over 30 years of experience in US-Mexico Border economic development strategy and investment attraction, several experts shared their insights.
The conversation featured Taylor Dunne, the Senior Manager of Talent Initiatives at the San Diego Regional EDC. Taylor and her team work with San Diego’s largest employers, educational institutions, and partner organizations to advance San Diego’s growth. Omar Parra, the Vice President of Engineering at ITJ, began his career in 2002 as a freelance web designer, focusing on the software development path, which gave him valuable experience and perspective in ensuring quality and productivity in his leadership style. Maria Keckler, the Director of Strategy and Communications at SDSU International Affairs, holds research positions at SDSU’s vital research center and has a joint Ph.D. from Clearmont Graduate University and SDSU. Her research focuses on narrative, neuroscience, psychology, and immersive learning, particularly empathy and healthcare leadership.
The Challenge: Skilled Talent Shortage
According to Taylor Dunne, the region is currently facing a shortage of skilled talent. San Diego’s thriving innovation economy demands skills that are not inherently possessed by individuals. The goal is to double the number of people graduating with post-secondary education, which doesn’t just refer to a university degree but could also be achieved through a boot camp. This will ensure that individuals have the cognitive capacity and soft skills required by employers, even if they don’t have years of experience. The definition of a skilled worker is evolving, which opens doors to various education pathways beyond traditional university degrees.
“We can’t find enough people locally, and the existing workforce lacks diversity in thought, appearance, and educational backgrounds. Access to talent on both sides of the border is crucial.”
Having a strong set of technical skills is undoubtedly important, but we must not overlook the significance of soft skills.
San Diego currently accounts for 32% (30,932) of all STEM degrees conferred. Maria Keckler highlighted the importance of cultural awareness and soft skills, especially in light of declining empathy in healthcare. Given that a large number of workers, cross the border from Baja California every day including an estimated 2,627 in the healthcare sector, Maria’s team focused on addressing this challenge. She emphasized the need for students to not only graduate with empathy but also to sustain it throughout their careers.
“Technical skills and degrees are essential, but becoming a master communicator and developing strong soft skills set individuals apart in the workforce.”
TalentIntegration into the Value Chain
Omar, who has a background in developing talent for technology companies, explained his company’s approach. ITJ invested in creating a center of excellence that was focused on growth and avoided talent cannibalization. The initiatives included a trainee program, boot camps, and tech talks, which helped in developing technical skills as well as essential behavioral skills required for collaboration and leadership. Tijuana, where the company is based, has a population growth rate of 23.8%, and the education career program offers an average of 10.2 years of schooling to its residents.
“Collaborating with universities and providing real work experience opportunities is crucial for developing & motivating well-rounded talent.”
Identifying Opportunities and Academic Collaboration
Flavio Olivieri emphasized the importance of identifying the obstacles that hinder progress toward binational opportunities. Addressing these gaps is crucial to achieving one’s life goals.
Taylor Dunne’s perspective suggests that the most in-demand jobs in today’s economy are registered nurses and software developers. To meet talent needs, initiatives like ITijuana and improved training programs in Mexico are essential. The discussion also highlighted the potential for rapid change in Mexico to contribute to the development of both economies. This is an ongoing opportunity that requires us to make necessary changes to continue the social growth we have
been striving for.
“Leveraging existing programs and making rapid changes can contribute to the development of economies on both sides of the border.”
Building Relationships and Collaborations in Academia
During the discussion, Maria Keckler highlighted the Re-border Conference as an example of an initiative that could yield actionable results. The conference aimed to bridge the gap between academia and entrepreneurship by fostering an entrepreneurial mindset. The focus was on ensuring that conversations led to tangible projects that could help develop the talents of the younger generation.
There is a need for more initiatives to inform CaliBaja’s government, business, and civic leaders about the state of the binational economy and help generate ideas to promote continued growth. Furthermore, secondary and higher education institutions should strive to build educational connections across the border through exchanges, competitions, and other interactions that will encourage knowledge sharing and community building. This will help foster an environment for the younger generation to develop their talents and contribute to the growth of the binational economy.
“Academic conversations must lead to real-world impact. An entrepreneurial mindset is crucial for building meaningful collaborations.”
Q&A Session: Fostering Talent from Communities to Schools
During the Q&A session, an audience member raised a critical question about how to promote corporate responsibility to identify and nurture talent, especially from underprivileged backgrounds. The focus was on bridging the gap between neighborhoods and educational institutions.
The responses from the panelists offered valuable insights and perspectives shared by these industry leaders to shed light on the complex yet promising landscape of binational talent development. By addressing challenges, embracing evolving definitions of skills, and fostering collaborations, the region can unlock its true potential in the global talent market.
Omar Parra stressed the importance of direct engagement with high schools and neighborhoods and highlighted the significance of showcasing career opportunities through talks and events. Underscored the need to make technology careers more tangible, especially for women, and expressed the importance of increasing diversity in the tech industry.
“We need to reach out to high schools and neighborhoods, making technology careers more tangible through events. We’re not just talking about careers; we’re talking about changing lives.”
During the discussion, Taylor Dunne shared her agreement with the sentiment and further elaborated on the importance of corporate responsibility. She emphasized the significance of companies investing in talent pipelines at an early stage by reaching out to middle schools and classrooms. Taylor also pointed out the disparity between the Hispanic population in the area and their representation in the job market. She emphasized the need for a strategic business approach to address this gap.
“We’re talking to companies that are having a hard time finding talent and then you find that only 19% of the economy is filled by Hispanic people and in San Diego, where in San Diego, 49% of our population is Hispanic, so the numbers aren’t adding up … Investing in talent pipelines early is a business case. We have to get creative about recruitment and retention to ensure our survival as businesses.”
Maria Keckler brought a personal opinion to the discussion and urged everyone to share their personal stories with high school students and those living in barrios. She emphasized the power of personal narratives to inspire and motivate young talents who may feel lost while facing challenges. Her own journey highlights that listening to stories of people who have overcome difficulties can serve as a source of inspiration for them.
“Each of us has a story of overcoming odds. Sharing these stories, both personal and professional, can inspire and create a powerful impact on young minds.”
The perspectives shared by these industry leaders provide valuable knowledge on the intricate yet hopeful situation of developing talent across borders. By tackling obstacles, adapting to changing skill requirements, and encouraging partnerships, the region can fully realize its potential in the worldwide talent industry.
