Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Workforce Access Matrix (WAM) is a workforce-tracking tool that identifies in-demand jobs and training providers who provide training in a specific occupation within an industry sector. The Matrix is being used by site selectors looking to locate to our area, by business owners looking to expand their workforce, and by students and community members looking for training in a demand occupation.
The National Center for O*NET Development, as part of its efforts to keep up with the changing world of work, investigated the impact of green economy activities and technologies on occupational requirements and the development of New and Emerging (N&E) occupations. Results of the research led to the identification of green economic sectors, green increased demand occupations, green enhanced skills occupations, and green new and emerging (N&E) occupations. These occupations are now reflected in the O*NET-SOC system by a green leaf.
What is Quartile Information?
The State of California Employment Development Department (EDD) reports the approximation of wages for each particular occupation listed in the Standard Occupational Code (SOC) information in “quartiles”. In the 25th Percentile (Quartile) Hourly Wage 25 percent of workers tracked in an occupation report earning wages below the number you see listed, and 75 percent report earning wages above that number. The 50th Percentile (Quartile) Hourly Wage lists a number that is the approximate median hourly wage—50% of the employees tracked reported receiving wages below that amount, and approximately 50% of employees tracked reported receiving wages above the amount listed. The 75th Percentile (Quartile) Hourly Wage is the estimated 75th percentile of the distribution of wages; 75 percent of workers in an occupation that they earn wages below the listed number, and 25 percent reported that they earn wages above the third quartile wage listed.
What is the Alliance for Education?
A San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools subsidy that has partnerships with business, labor, government, community and education to align common goals in order to produce an educated and skilled workforce for the 21st century.
Why track Unfilled Jobs and Demand Occupations?
Regional Workforce Advisories, offshoots of the Alliance Task Force #1 (Economic Development and Workforce Development), have emerged to track and attempt to provide information and connections to training providers who can help develop a workforce to fill current employment needs. This Matrix is the tool for tracking the needs and providing the connections. Economic development personnel, educators and business leaders meet monthly in regional advisories to discuss and gather the needed information you see reflected in this matrix. The regional advisories are : West End Workforce Opportunity Collaborative—WeWORC, East Valley Job Opportunity Board—EVJOB, and the High Desert Job Opportunity Board—HDJOB.
I’m a site selector. How will the Matrix help me determine if San Bernardino County can provide the workforce I need for my client?
The purpose of the Matrix is to track jobs that stay in job listing systems over a long period of time. While there could be a number of factors contributing to this problem, the most common would be that there are currently not enough local workers with those particular skills. The Matrix will show you that the County understands that concern and is actively working to increase available training programs. The Matrix will also help you get a picture of the approximate number of students that are expected to complete those training programs within the year.
I’m a student. Can the Matrix help me decide a career path?
The Matrix can show you what occupations are most in demand now, and in the near future. You can also use the Matrix to find available training programs for demand occupations, their length and approximate cost.
I’m looking for a job. Will the Matrix help me?
No. But the Matrix gathers a major portion of its information from two sources that can help you as you seek a job. Go to www.caljobs.ca.gov to www.csb-win.org or to www.usworks.com/sbeta for both local and state job postings by employers looking for employees.
I’m an employer in San Bernardino County. Will the Matrix help me find the workforce I need?
The Matrix will be most successful if we hear from you, as an employer, about your specific needs. We can seek to have a program created, certificate or degreed, to meet your needs. You may also qualify for the limited funds available for skills upgrades for your workforce. Please provide your specific needs, and contact information in the “Comments and Suggestions” section found in the FAQ.
Comments and Suggestions. Would you like to be contacted?
We encourage business owners and site selectors to let us know what kind of workforce would encourage them to locate or grow their business in San Bernardino County. We are also available to contact you directly, if you so choose. Click here to email.
I would like to join the Alliance for Education. How can I help?
Please provide your contact information in the “Comments” section of the FAQs, along with a brief description of your background and list the Task Force you would most like to be a part of, and why. Someone will contact you and give you more information about how you can join the Alliance for Education.
