By Dianne Anderson

With unemployment at its lowest rate in years, holding at about 3.8%, jobs are booming across sectors nationwide with a brighter outlook for almost everyone.

Last month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported unemployment for Blacks at 6.4% increased in March, while rates for Asians at 2.5%, and Hispanics at 4.5% have decreased.

But for all those who still need a job, untapped growth in several sectors is opening up for facetime with local employers, and opportunities to train into a living wage.

On April 24, the Inland Empire Education & Workforce Summit features speakers, community groups, educators, business leaders, human resources professionals, local government and policymakers, non-profit organizations, students, and job seekers. The event will be held at Ontario Airport Hotel & Conference Center.

Edward Ornelas, Jr., President & CEO of the Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce, said about 300 are expected to turn out, with about 75% local employers on site.

“This demonstrates the event’s strong appeal and relevance to businesses interested in shaping and enhancing the education and workforce landscape in the Inland Empire,” he said.

Participants will look to bridge the education and workforce gap with attention to innovative strategies and programs in the region, and opening dialogue to foster economic growth.

In the past two years of the summit, some key takeaways included regional trends, improving local workforce development and preparing students for good jobs through equitable career pathways. In 2022, he said pandemic-related learning loss was a priority, and preparing students with academic, technical, and necessary soft skills for the new economy.

“Past editions of our summit have fostered cross-county collaborations that brought together educators, business leaders, policymakers, and community organizations. These collaborations have been pivotal in expanding internship and apprenticeship opportunities, ultimately contributing to the growth of our local workforce,” said Ornelas in an email.

Other local opportunities include Chaffey College InTech Center training programs in welding, electrical maintenance, and skills to meet growing demand in manufacturing, fabrication, and construction industries. IntechCenter programs include skilled entry-level workers with hands-on training and opportunities for paid internships and job placement assistance.

Moreno Valley College Career and Technical Education programs also provide academic education and skills for career success with hands-on training and real-world applications.

“CTE programs cover a wide range of fields including healthcare, business administration, computer science, cybersecurity, and more. These programs aim to prepare students for well-paying, in-demand jobs right after graduation with opportunities for apprenticeships and employment placements as part of the [MVC] curriculum,” he said.

Yet, for all the hottest job choices, aviation is one field that is soaring, both in job openings and the potential to make lots of money.

Bruce Atlas, local expert and aviation aficionado, feels that more effort is needed to get Blacks into the airlines and related jobs where the pay and benefits are off the charts.

“Let’s start working toward having a career that can change the trajectory for life. Kids these days learn technology almost before they can talk, but there is a lag in reaching students on aviation careers,” said Atlas, who is also board chairman of the Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce Chairman.

There are a lot of perks.

Anyone who works for an airline, their parents, spouses and children all fly for free. Upon retirement, pilots fly free for the rest of their lives, and can fly wherever they want in the world.

“Think about the salaries, when you start working for a legacy carrier in that right seat as a first officer, you’re earning close to $200,000 a year within the first five years or so, you’re at $300,000, by the time you’re at the left seat as a captain, flying triple 7’s, 747s. You’re earning over $500,000 a year,” said Atlas, who retired as COO of Ontario International Airport in 2021.

By 2030, he points to the projected shortage of 804,000 commercial pilots worldwide, a shortage of 769,000 aircraft mechanics, and a shortage of 914,000 flight attendants.

“There’s close to five million jobs that need to be filled in the next seven years. With baby boomers turning 65 at alarming rates every day, at 1,300 a day, and you can only fly commercial till 65, they take the key,” he said.

In other words, jobs galore.

Atlas, who also has a private pilot’s license, continues to get more underserved students into the mix. He has worked with kids from Fontana at the Ontario Airport, who completed their pilot’s license while still in high school.

He also collaborates with Ontario Airport to serve students ages 13 to 18, to get a behind the scenes glimpse of careers. For one event, they had USC outreach and flight simulators, and took the kids up.

“We try to fly over their house. They take the phones out and call their parents, we’re flying over the backyard,” he said. “We bring pilots from the same neighborhood with the same socioeconomic background that if he came from my hood, so can I.”

But, knowing that not everyone wants to be a pilot, he said there are plenty of jobs on the ground, from the parking lot to the cabin, under the wings and above the wings, even rescue firefighters. Air traffic controllers are in high demand and can retire with a good pension after 20 years.

In the Black community, he thinks some disconnect may be that not many young people are going into the military. Some HBCUs are now introducing aviation programs, but he said the word is not getting out to the community.

Other areas of opportunity, hundreds of millions of dollars worth, are also available for Black businesses that get their Minority Business Enterprise and SBA (a) certifications to compete for projects at the airport.

“Maybe you come in as a sub, working with a prime until you’re in a position to become a prime. It’s simple to do, there is a small fee. This is something that Black chambers can do, get them certified,” he said.

For more information on speakers, and to register, see
https://iercc.glueup.com/event/2024-inland-empire-education-workforce-summit-105201/