2026-2030 Economic Development Strategic Plan

Workforce Development Integration Closing Gaps, Unlocking Potential As global markets shift, technologies advance, and demographic pressures reshape industries, Riverside County must proactively adapt to remain competitive. Understanding and responding to the changing demands of key industry sectors is not just important, it is essential for sustained economic growth and long-term regional resilience. Riverside County faces a unique mix of challenges and opportunities. Rapid technological innovation, significant demographic shifts, climate-related policy changes, and evolving global dynamics are converging to redefine the landscape of economic development. These forces underscore the urgent need for robust, flexible, and forward-thinking workforce development strategies that align education and training with both current and emerging industry needs. Benchmarking Riverside County against peer and aspirational counties across the U.S. reveals a mixed picture. The County excels in Transportation and Logistics and Hospitality and Tourism, sectors that have long been regional strengths. However, it lags in five critical areas that are increasingly driving national and global competitiveness: Advanced Manufacturing, Agricultural Technology, Clean Energy Technology, Cybersecurity, and Video Production and Distribution. Compounding this challenge is a pronounced skills gap. While 24% of the adult population holds a bachelor’s degree, nearly 25% lack a high school diploma. This imbalance limits the County’s ability to attract and grow industries that depend on highly skilled talent and advanced technical capabilities. Closing this gap is not only possible, but also already underway. Initiatives like OneFuture Coachella Valley demonstrate the power of collaborative, industry-led models that bring together public agencies, educational institutions, employers, and community organizations. These partnerships are essential to identifying strengths, addressing weaknesses, and building a resilient, skilled, and competitive workforce. By aligning workforce development with priority industry cluster/ sector growth, Riverside County can lay the foundation for a more diversified economy, greater regional resilience, and a leadership role in the innovation-driven priority industries of the future. 25