Innovation in Workforce ISAs

The San Diego Workforce Partnership is reimagining workforce development. In 2019, SDWP launched the first and only Income Share Agreement (ISA) fund in the public workforce system. The ISA removes barriers to post-secondary education that low-income workers face. ISAs offer the affordable opportunity to acquire the skills that employers demand. ISA participants pay nothing upfront. When graduates land a job making above $40,000 after graduation, she/he will “pay it forward” a small portion their salary for a set period of time—to help the next group of San Diegans pursue their education without any student debt. An ‘evergreen’ fund, the ISA is creatively and quickly building the talent pool, developing our economy and providing great career opportunities for many who would never have had the opportunity to acquire the skills – affordably. In partnership with UC San Diego Extension, the initial cohort of 70 students are enrolled in technology courses that take only 9-12 months. The SDWP team also supports job placement, internship, mentorship and other wrap-around supports to land good paying in-demand jobs. Future cohorts will offer coursework in other regional priority occupations. The SDWP ISA is funded through philanthropic support from the Irvine Foundation, Strada Education, Google.org, Lumina and others.

Moderator: Michael Horn

Panelists: Peter Callstrom, Claire Parascandolo, Rick Buckingham