Meeting Notes by Lola Sherman
SOCAL stands for Student Opportunities for Career Awareness and Learning, and its importance in developing a workforce in the region was emphasized at Tuesday’s Monthly Morning Meeting of MainStreet Oceanside.
Scott Ashton, C.E.O. of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce, told the story of the collaboration of Tri-City Medical Center, North San Diego County Economic Development Council, Oceanside Unified School District and the chambers of Oceanside, Carlsbad and Vista to encourage people to find work right here.
The program, Ashton said, works for military members transitioning into civilian life as well as for high school and college students.
He showed three-minute videos from two local companies – Genentech and Olli Salumeria – where employees talk about their jobs and the education it took to get them there. The videos also list salary ranges for the jobs.
Ashton asked for a show of hands of how many people in the audience knew there is a salami-making factory (Salumeria) in Oceanside and seemed surprised at how well-informed the MainStreet audience is. “Most kids do not know,” he said.
Rick Wright, MainStreet C.E.O., said, given the state of the pandemic, he wasn’t sure how many people would show up for the first meeting of the new year. More than two dozen were in attendance.
Ashton said the SOCAL initiative was aided by a $130,00 grant arranged by County Supervisor Jim Desmond. Kristal Jabara, Desmond’s director of community relations, in the audience, said it is the type of program he hopes will help retain workers in the area.
One video, shot at the sausage factory, showed Garrett Walsh, director of quality assurance, discussing his job and background. “I love what I do now,” he said.
Another featured Mahima Advani talking about her job as an intern at Genentech pharmaceutical company. She stressed how her interest in science, technology and mathematics had advanced her career.
In response to a question from Gumaro Escarcega, MainStreet’s C.O.O., Ashton said, that although those two jobs did require a four-year degree, the SOCAL Website will add employment opportunities for those who don’t want to pursue that much education, with community-college credit, for instance.
“So many of our businesses struggle to find workers,” Wright said.
Tri-City personnel came up with the name for the program, Ashton said, and he and Jessica Shrader of Tri-City are taking the lead on a task force to develop it.
He stressed the “community theme” of staying in the area for jobs.
Ashton said he wants both to expand the business involvement and the territory involved in the coming year, He said his focus will be to develop the videos more fully and his goal is to enroll the San Marcos and Escondido chambers as well.
Ashton invited meeting attendees to visit the website at www.socalworkforce.org.
Speaking briefly on another subject, Ashton reported on the chamber’s Rising Star program honoring every month one student each from El Camino High School, Oceanside High and Surfside Educational Academy who has overcome difficulties and persevered. More information about the Rising Star program is available [HERE].
Next in the meeting, Cathy Nykiel, Director of Events and Sunset Market Manager, reported “a very busy December, despite the rain.”
She told of a Christmas toy drive to benefit more than 100 children from the Balderrama Park and Crown Heights centers and a food drive to help the Bread of Life shelter.
Thursday is Market Day in Oceanside, Nykiel said, and the Farmers Market is held every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. rain or shine. The Sunset Market runs from 5 to 9 p.m.
On Jan 20, there will be an Authors Night, Nykiel said and a dozen local writers have signed up to participate.
Public Safety Night is the first week in February (Feb. 3) with police, firefighters and lifeguards on hand with their equipment.
Nykiel said volunteers are needed for the Independence Parade, the Sunset Market Committee and authors and public-safety nights. She reported briefly on beach services with bicycle and surry rentals, surf lessons, and food on-site in good weather.
From the audience, Linda Piña of Carla and Linda’s Walking Food Tours said “this year is going to be awesome,” including some farm tours in Morro Hills.
Also from the audience, Carrie Chacon, volunteer director for the Ironman 70.2 competition in Oceanside April 2 made a pitch for volunteers to handle packets for the athletes. There are opportunities in the days leading up to the event as well as on the day of competition itself, Chacon said.
The meeting ended with a slide posted of Escarcega’s new baby daughter, Julia Lucia, born Nov. 17 and weighing 7 pounds 5 ounces.
The next MainStreet morning meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 1 at 8:30 a.m. in its office at 701 Mission Ave.
