San Diego is riding a tidal wave of innovation. Yet beneath the triumph of burgeoning biotech breakthroughs and major defense contracts, a troubling undercurrent demands attention: a growing skills gap in our workforce.
In today’s job market, staying competitive means continuously updating your skills. The rapid pace of technological change is especially apparent in fields embracing artificial intelligence, or which depend on cybersecurity or data analytics — topics which already extend beyond tech. Those in fields that include healthcare, finance, communications, manufacturing, law and education — and many others — are especially impacted by rapid technological changes.
Even seasoned professionals must adapt to stay relevant to not only boost their current careers but to access more competitive and higher-paying jobs. Investing in one’s personal and professional development is no longer optional, it is essential.
The average lifespan of a skill is now a fleeting five years — and for tech skills, it’s even shorter, lasting only about 2.5 years. Professionals today are racing against a ticking clock; by the time they master a tool, it’s already on the verge of obsolescence. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023 indicates that 50% of all employees will need reskilling by 2025, with 40% of core skills expected to change during this period.
In San Diego, 65% of our workforce feels at risk from increasing automation. With the skills gap requiring our workforce to stretch into new territory and the risk of automation at their heels, we need proactive, forward-thinking strategies that embrace learning and adaptability at every career stage. Micro-credentials, certifications and skill-specific courses offer a practical way to bridge the gap between education and evolving industry needs, ensuring that individuals and communities can thrive in the workforce of tomorrow.
The skills gap is both a risk and an opportunity — an opportunity to redefine education, embrace inclusive growth, and ensure that San Diego’s workforce is prepared for future challenges. According to a McKinsey Global Survey, nearly 90% of executives and managers report their organizations either currently face skill gaps or anticipate them within the next five years. Despite this, only one-third believe their companies are prepared to address the workforce disruptions resulting from technological and market trends.
Institutions like San Diego State University and the University of California, San Diego are producing top-tier graduates who form the backbone of our innovation economy. And it’s evident that learning can’t stop at graduation given the rapid pace of technological change and if these graduates want to stay relevant in the face of rapidly evolving industry needs.
This month, SDSU Global Campus announced the launch of SDSU’s Career Skills Institute. The Career Skills Institute provides flexible, affordable programs aimed at enabling working adults to acquire practical skills quickly. The institute offers more than 100 programs, including AI skills training, to ensure the workforce stays current with industry needs.
Many courses were developed in collaboration with industry leaders like Google, Meta, Salesforce and Microsoft, ensuring that the content is up-to-date and directly relevant to current market demands. A survey by TalentLMS and Workable found that 55% of employees feel they need additional training to perform better in their roles, while 74% expressed interest in upskilling within their current jobs, emphasizing a proactive approach to personal development.
The Career Skills Institute’s courses are from a wide variety of fields — from project management to cybersecurity, data analytics to social media marketing, and so much more.
The future of education isn’t just knocking — it’s kicking the door down, demanding immediate action and adaptation from professionals everywhere. Bite-sized learning — micro-credentials, professional certificates, and skill-specific courses — is gaining traction as a powerful, practical enhancement to traditional degrees. Embracing lifelong learning could inject billions into San Diego’s economy over the next decade, while also providing pathways for underrepresented communities to access high-paying jobs.
A holistic approach to education is crucial — one that values degrees for their broad understanding while complementing them with ongoing, specific skill-building. By collaborating closely with industry partners, educational institutions can ensure that curricula stay in sync with real-time market needs, offering training that’s relevant, actionable, and impactful.
Ian Gibson is dean of the Global Campus at San Diego State University and an advocate for lifelong learning.
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