Long Beach Business Leaders and Educators Partner to Tackle Economic Challenges Impacting Local Workforce

The Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Los Angeles Universal

Preschool (LAUP) hosted a panel Wednesday with key Long Beach leaders in business, education and policy to discuss ways to improve the Long Beach workforce.  

“Over the last two years, we have served the largest graduating classes in the history of Long Beach,” said Superintendent/President of Long Beach City College Eloy Ortiz Oakley.  “But we can’t keep up with the need.  We have a crisis in education, and we’re forced to cut enrollment which is putting students at risk.  Although society may not see the effects of the cuts right away, you will see it in the workforce in the coming years.”

Creating a Better Educated Workforce was the theme for this event attended by members of the community, owners and employees of local large and small businesses as well as educators.  As the business community searches for a more skilled labor force and educators work on teaching the future leaders of our society during these challenging economic times, the need for new solutions was the main focus for discussion. 

“How do we help students -- particularly those with the odds stacked against them -- to succeed in this world?” said Supervisor Don Knabe.  “At the end of the day, it’s about preparing our children with the skills they need to get and keep good-paying jobs, and it starts with early education.  It has absolutely everything to do with improving our workforce.”

Improving basic skills at the lower academic level for children and forming solid partnerships between the education field and the business community was touted as a necessity to greatly improve and support a more competitive workforce. 

“We have 150 applicants for every one position open and we rely on a heavily skilled workforce, but many people are lacking in basic skills needed for the job,” noted Tamika Lang, who oversees Global Corporate Citizenship of The Boeing Company.  “We can’t work in silos; we all have to partner to move this state forward.”

Overall, educators urged business leaders to get active in supporting educational programs, particularly in early education, in the hopes of changing the workforce landscape for the better.

 “There is a major link between our workforce situation and early education, and I have seen firsthand the issues children face when they’re not properly prepared to learn in the classroom,” said LAUP’s Celia C. Ayala.  “Society at large pays the price if a child grows up and isn’t equipped with the skills needed to find and keep a job. Even before kindergarten, children are able to develop skills such as critical thinking, language, literacy, math, science and social skills. We know that the best way to close the achievement gap and produce a stronger and competitive workforce is by investing in early education.”

Supervisor Don Knabe delivered welcome remarks. The panel of speakers was moderated by Randy Gordon, President and CEO of the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. The panel included Tamika Lang, Global Corporate Citizenship, The Boeing Company, Arturo Delgado, Ed.D., Superintendent, Los Angeles County Office of Education, Eloy Ortiz Oakley, Superintendent/President, Long Beach Community College District, and Celia C. Ayala, Ph.D., CEO, LAUP.