Workforce Development Roundtable

Regional Workforce Roundtable Discussion

As one of the region's major institutions of higher education, California State University East Bay has stewardship responsibilities for creating and maintaining a regional workforce that supports industries competing on a global scale.

Because the university's student body is drawn mostly from the East Bay, the university recognizes that its academic programs must respond to the needs and interests of future students. Moreover, because most of the university's graduates remain in the East Bay to work, the success of the university's academic programs is measured by their success in preparing graduates for careers offered by East Bay employers.

Recognizing its stewardship responsibilities, the university has initiated a series of intimate roundtable discussions with top-level business executives, seeking information about the rapid pace of cultural, scientific, technical, social, demographic, regulatory, and economic change facing today's regional industry sectors. The university will use this information to help shape curricula to better prepare students for initial job effectiveness, as well as long-term career success.

These roundtable discussions are of the highest importance to the university. Not only do the issues raised lie at the core of the University's identity, but how well they are addressed will significantly affect the economic future of the East Bay.

The following are examples of the types of open-ended discussion questions for which the university seeks input. The primary purpose of these questions is not to collect detailed facts and figures. Instead, these sessions are intended to access the wisdom and practical observations of top level executives based on industry experience:

• What are the biggest changes you foresee in your industry over the next five or six years?
• What is the 'shelf life' of the core knowledge in your industry?
• What impact will the retirement of “Baby Boomers” over the next several years have on your industry?
• Compared to other regions, how would you characterize the occupational strengths and weaknesses of the East Bay's labor pool for your industry?
• Purely from an industry perspective, what is the ideal solution for filling workforce needs in your industry locally?
• A number of recent studies have indicated a shortage of graduates proficient in science, technology, engineering, and math. Is this a problem in your industry?
• What will your industry likely do to respond to the anticipated shortages of workforce?
• Looking at recent graduates from institutions of higher education -- again from your industry's perspective -- do you see common areas in which they are unprepared?
• It is often commented that "soft skills" are lacking in recent graduates. Are those skills important in your industry, and if so, what are they?
• From your perspective, what would be the key indicators that a university is meeting the needs of your industry?

The university invites you to submit your response and comments.

California State University, East Bay thanks you for your interest and participation. Your comments will be given careful consideration by President Qayoumi.