4.3       Profile Of Industry Mix And Workforce Mix Districtwide

The following data displays profile the types of industries and businesses in the region, the nature of the area’s workforce, and the types of occupations and job opportunities that will be most in demand for the next several years.

Mix Of Industries By Type And Size

The most recent analysis of the type and mix of industries specifically in the High Desert area of San Bernardino County–encompassing Victor Valley College–was undertaken in 1997.  Figure 4.3-1 and Table 4.3-1 present the mix of industries for area businesses with five or more employees.

* Businesses with five or more employees

Table 4.3-2

Employment And Wages By Industry

More recent data are available only on the basis of the two-county MSA which encompasses all of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.  Data for the MSA are available regarding the percentage of the region’s workforce that is employed in each industrial sector as well as the percentage of total wages in the region accounted for by each sector. 

Table 4.3-3

Employment And Wages By Industry: Riverside-San Bernardino MSA

Third Quarter, 1996

Source:  Labor Market Division, Employment Development Department

In the region, more individuals are employed in the services sector than any other industry cluster.  The services sector includes architects, engineers, allied health, personal services, etc.  This sector, as well, accounts for the highest percentage of wages paid compared with any other industry group.  At the time of the 1990 Census, three out of 10 employed persons 16 years or older in the VVC service area had jobs classified as technical, sales or administrative support, followed by 21% of this group maintaining managerial and professional specialty occupations.  Fewer than 2% were involved in farming, forestry and fishing.

Table 4.3-4:

Occupations Of Employed Persons 16 Years And Older

Source:  U.S. Bureau of Census, 1990

(1990 Census of Population and Housing, Summary Tape File 3)

In 1997, the Victor Valley College District, along with several other training providers in San Bernardino, commissioned a study to determine the present mix of occupations in the area and the occupations that local businesses and employers indicated would be most in demand in the coming years.  Throughout the balance of 1997 to mid-1998, High Desert businesses indicate the occupations they will require most are those associated with the fabrication, assembly and repair of metal products, mechanical and machinery repair, processing of stone, clay, glass and related products, and the food and beverage industry.

In this same 1997 study, area employers were asked to identify the occupations and vacancies they anticipated over the next 36-60 months.  Occupations projected to be in demand for the balance of this decade include fabrication and manufacturing assembly, food and beverage, machine repair, architecture, engineering and surveying and computing and account-recording.

Based on projected workforce needs by industry, construction-related businesses will be doing a major share of the projected hiring from 1997 through 1999.  Retail businesses also show strength and will be responsible for one-fourth of the job vacancies and opportunities in the High Desert area over the same time period.

The California Employment Development Department’s LMID unit, in cooperation with CCOIS, has projected those occupations that will be in the highest demand throughout San Bernardino County to the year 2000.  Those occupations are identified as follows.

Inland Empire

Occupations With The Greatest Absolute Growth (Nonfarm)

Source:  Labor Market Division, Employment Development Department

EDD data confirm that those occupations projected to be in highest demand in the County and the service area of the District include office administrative support staff, sales personnel, food and beverage industry workers, and allied health professionals.