With artificial intelligence becoming increasingly involved in how work gets done across industries, workplace tasks and the skills employers value are changing. As those changes accelerate, helping students connect classroom learning to real career opportunities has never been more important.
To address these challenges for San Diego, EDC is proud to announce we have been selected as one of five organizations nationwide—chosen from nearly 200 applicants—to participate in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s (USCCF) Pathways with Purpose Through Career-Connected Learning Initiative. Through this grant, EDC will lead an employer-driven effort to strengthen connections between education and workforce opportunities, helping students explore careers, build relevant skills, and prepare for in-demand jobs.
For EDC, this project represents an important milestone. While we have long partnered with educators through Advancing San Diego (ASD) to align post-secondary education with regional workforce needs, this marks ASD’s first initiative focused specifically on career-connected learning in high school education in San Diego County.
Preparing students for the jobs of the future
At EDC, workforce development begins with employers. By understanding how work is changing and what skills businesses need, we can help education partners align learning experiences with workforce demand and better prepare students for future careers.
National research suggests that as artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into the workplace, employers increasingly seek workers with both technical skills—AI engineering, technological literacy, data analysis—and human skills—analytical thinking, communication, flexibility. We’re hearing the same message from employers across San Diego who have participated in EDC’s employer working groups. While AI and digital tools are becoming more common in the workplace, employers consistently emphasize that technical knowledge must be paired with critical thinking, communication, adaptability, and problem solving. These foundational human skills help workers adapt as technology and jobs continue to evolve.
EDC will bring employers to the table to help shape career-connected learning – informing and validating curriculum, engaging directly with students in the classroom, and offering work-based learning experiences at employer sites. By connecting classroom learning with real careers and workplace expectations, these experiences will help students build relevant technical and durable skills and gain confidence navigating a changing workplace.
Putting employer insights into action
Using the employer-led Talent Pipeline Management® process, EDC will use the USCCF grant to engage employers in identifying how AI is influencing entry-level work, and work with education partners to translate those insights into meaningful learning experiences for students.
In partnership with San Diego State University, Junior Achievement of San Diego, United Way of San Diego County, San Diego Unified School District, and the Border Region K-16 Collaborative, employer insights will inform the development of expanded work-based learning opportunities and an AI-focused micro-credential for students, as well as educator resources that connect classroom learning with evolving workforce needs.
By keeping employers at the center of the process, the partnership will help ensure students gain the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers value while strengthening the region’s future talent pipeline.
Help us shape the future workforce
As AI continues to influence how work gets done, EDC is looking for employers to help answer how AI is changing their workforce, particularly entry-level roles, and what knowledge and skills future employees will need to succeed.
Through employer interviews, advisory groups, and regional convenings, EDC will explore how work is evolving and use those insights to inform curriculum and work-based learning opportunities through the project.
We would be eager to involve your company in employer interviews, advisory groups, or other project activities. Please contact our team to participate:
Bridgette Coleman
Sr. Manager, Talent Initiatives