SCAG Releases Two Reports on Expanding Access to Economic Opportunity in Southern California

SCAG has released two new reports that examine the region’s economic landscape and propose strategies to expand access to quality jobs, career training, and long-term economic mobility—particularly for communities historically underrepresented in the workforce. 

Together, the “Addressing Barriers to Economic Opportunities” and “Apprenticeships: Expanding Economic Opportunities in Southern California” reports offer data-driven insights and actionable recommendations for building a more inclusive regional economy.

Both reports are published to implement SCAG’s Inclusive Economic Recovery Strategy, adopted by the SCAG Regional Council in 2021, which outlines over 50 recommendations for equitable recovery in housing, transportation, and workforce and economic development.

Understanding the Barriers

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.

The report also highlights how these barriers vary across geographies and populations, disproportionately impacting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, youth under 25, and people with disabilities. Commute times also emerged as a particularly significant issue, with nearly 85 percent of jobs in the region not reachable within a 45-minute commute despite high rates of automobile access. 

The report also offers policy recommendations to address these challenges, including universal basic mobility programs, infrastructure investments focused on safety, improved access to training and networks, and adopting a workforce-centric lens in regional planning efforts. 

Apprenticeships as a Pathway Forward

Building on these findings, 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. 

With California aiming to expand its support to 500,000 apprentices by 2029, the report outlines best practices and real-world case studies from across the SCAG region to guide the expansion of both traditional and non-traditional apprenticeship models. These include employer-driven programs in construction, public transportation, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing.

The report identifies key strategies for success, such as employer engagement, mentorship, and improved pay structures, and outlines policy recommendations to streamline program development, expand public sector roles, and raise awareness of apprenticeships as a workforce solution.

Inclusive Regional Economy

Together, these two reports reinforce SCAG’s commitment to equitable economic recovery and long-tern workforce development. By identifying systemic barriers and advancing proven solutions like apprenticeships, SCAG supports communities, employers, and policymakers in creating a more accessible and resilient economy for Southern California.