Inclusive Economic Recovery Strategy
The Inclusive Economic Recovery Strategy (IERS) identifies ways SCAG can work with local partners to foster inclusive economic prosperity as the region continues to recover from the economic and social disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In spring 2022, with support from State Senator Susan Rubio, SCAG received one-time grant funding from the California Workforce Development Board to implement several core recommendations from the IERS and to guide SCAG’s efforts in advancing inclusive economic growth.
SCAG developed the IERS as an activity of the Racial Equity Early Action PlanRacial Equity Early Action Plan in collaboration with stakeholders and practitioners, focusing on recommendations that SCAG is well positioned to lead or implement with an appropriate partner. The SCAG Regional Council adopted “An Inclusive Economic Recovery Strategy for the SCAG Region” report and recommendations on July 1, 2021.
The inclusive report will help SCAG further explore the integration of policy goals related to economic growth in the development and adoption of the Connect SoCal Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Community Strategy every four years.
The “Apprenticeships: Expanding Economic Opportunities in Southern California” report explores how apprenticeship programs can address workforce gaps and provide meaningful, debt-free pathways for job training and employment opportunities.
As California sets a goal of expanding support to 500,000 apprenticeships by 2029, the report features best practices and case studies from across Southern California, covering both traditional and emerging industries like construction, transit, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. Key strategies for success include employer engagement, strong mentorship, and competitive pay structures. The report also offers policy recommendations to streamline program development, expand public sector participation, and raise awareness of apprenticeships as a long-term workforce solution.
Download the “Apprenticeships: Expanding Economic Opportunities in Southern California” report.
The “Addressing Barriers to Economic Opportunities” report identifies and quantifies structural challenges that limit access to economic opportunity across Southern California. Key barriers identified include lack of affordable housing, limited access to reliable and affordable transportation, skills mismatch, and inadequate access to affordable child and family care.
These challenges disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, youth under 25, and people with disabilities. Despite high automobile access, nearly 85 percent of jobs in the region remain out of reach within a 45-minute commute. The report offers actionable policy recommendations—such as universal basic mobility programs, targeted infrastructure investments, and workforce-centered planning—to help expand access to opportunity and promote regional equity.
To supplement the research and recommendations from this report, SCAG also compiled county-level profiles for Imperial County, the Inland Empire, Los Angeles County, Orange County, and Ventura County—highlighting how key stakeholders in each are working to address barriers and expand economic opportunity.
Download the “Addressing Barriers to Economic Opportunity” report.
The Inclusive Contracting Toolkit is a roadmap with actionable recommendations for procurement professionals in public agencies and private anchor institutions to implement inclusive contracting policies, programs, and practices. The toolkit includes a library of best practices and recommendations that reflect the range of emerging and promising inclusive contracting methods.
Recognizing all organizations approach procurement uniquely, the Inclusive Contracting Toolkit provides insights into inclusive contracting by summarizing context, recommending immediate actions, and presenting proven tactics. The toolkit outlines policies, discusses challenges, suggests implementation steps, and provides real-world examples within the SCAG region. Moreover, it differentiates recommendations relevant to public agencies and private institutions and includes successful case studies from initiatives across the country.
The toolkit’s development included a thorough literature review and engagement with industry professionals and small business organizations. The Inclusive Contracting Technical Advisory Committee and industry focus groups provided invaluable insights, to firmly root the toolkit in the realities and opportunities currently facing procurement professionals in the SCAG region.
Download the Inclusive Contracting Toolkit.
Quality jobs provide a foundation for economic growth and resilience against economic downturns. However, like many regions, Southern California has traditionally lacked data or frameworks to measure the quality of jobs in its large, complex economy. There are a wide range of approaches for measuring job quality overall—a task that becomes even more difficult when considering the nuances and limited data availability in a single region such as Southern California.
