COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Application Period to Open Soon for Inaugural Oceanside Leadership Academy

As part of its 5-year strategic plan, the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce has committed to the development of leaders to serve in a wide variety of capacities in our community. Over the past several months, Chamber staff and board members have been working to develop the Oceanside Leadership Academy, with a planned launch date of April 2023. The Academy’s purpose is to equip participants to serve in a variety of leadership roles such as non-profit boards, City commissions, elected leadership roles and within leadership succession roles in their own companies.

Later this Fall, the Chamber will begin accepting applications for the inaugural academy. If you are interested in receiving the Academy brochure and application when it becomes available, please contact Chamber CEO, Scott Ashton at 760-722-1534 or scott@oceansidechamber.com. Corporate sponsorship opportunities are available.

ADVOCACY

City Council Approves Chamber-Supported OceanKamp Project

On October 19th, the Oceanside City Council approved the long-awaited OceanKamp Resort project, upholding the earlier decision of the Oceanside’s Planning Commission. Chamber CEO, Scott Ashton attended the meeting to express the Chamber’s support for the project slated for the old drive-in theater/swap meet site on Hwy 76 in Oceanside. In his remarks, Ashton emphasized the importance of the project with regards to supporting tourism. “Oceanside was the beneficiary of approximately $507 million dollars in visitor spending in 2021, with about $140 million of that spent on accommodations and the remainder benefitting our restaurants, retailers, arts & entertainment venues and other local businesses. This generated $17m in tax for the City of Oceanside. Adding a one-of-a-kind attraction like OceanKamp will further solidify Oceanside’s growing stature as a Southern California Destination and will provide additional jobs and tax revenue that enhance the quality of life for all Oceanside residents.”

Ashton also noted the importance of the housing that is planned for the project. “Oceanside’s share of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) for the current cycle is approximately 5,400 housing units. As the RHNA report shows, we need housing of all types to meet the needs of a wide variety of income levels of our current and future workforce. OceanKAMP will help make housing more accessible by developing multifamily units and allowing for a broader range of housing at a variety of market rates. This project goes a long way in meeting our City’s housing needs, with up to 700 housing units planned.”

The Chamber has been a strong advocate for workforce housing and has identified this issue as a key element of its 5-Year strategic plan.

Chambers Plays Significant Role in Defeating Job Killer Bills

The Oceanside Chamber joined the Cal Chamber coalition efforts to defeat numerous bills that would have adversely impacted our business community. In 2022, the California Chamber of Commerce identified 19 job killer bills, voicing concern that the bills reflected a lack of appreciation for the economic realities and regulatory challenges employers—especially small business employers—face as they continue to emerge from the impacts of the pandemic. Just two bills identified as job killers passed the Legislature. Both were signed by the Governor.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

New Program Prepares People for Entry-Level Employment

In response to the problems many of our members are having with hiring, the Oceanside Chamber is offering members and partners a new tool to find those hard-to-find candidates.

The Oceanside Chamber is working with a coalition of North County business organizations to provide online, on-demand basic skills training to better prepare the workforce for employment in general office administration, manufacturing, and the food and hospitality industries. The program is designed for community members who are brand-new to the workforce, have been out of the workforce for a while and need ‘upskilling,’ have struggled to find work or even land an interview, or who are experiencing other barriers to employment.

Your candidates who complete the basic skills training (15-20 hours) at one of our local libraries, partner sites, or at home are guaranteed at least one entry-level job interview with a local employer like you. Potential talent may also receive in-person interview practice and resume writing services through one of our partners prior to meeting with you.

By November 10th when the coalition will launch the ‘Room,’ employers can register to participate in our job-readiness network at https://forms.office.com/g/kfDDxBQLdC to connect with trained and certified talent for interviews. Interviews can take place at your place of business or can be booked through Victoria Carlborg at victoria@oceansidechamber.com as a micro-hiring event for a small room reservation fee.

Reboot your Business Knowledge

Are you a fan of the Boots to Business training, otherwise known as B2B? Veterans and military spouses are invited to Oceanside Chamber of Commerce from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 8th for Reboot.

Reboot is an entrepreneurial education and training program offered by the SBA. The free course provides an overview of entrepreneurship and applicable business ownership fundamentals. Veterans of all eras, Active-Duty Service members (including National Guard and Reserve), and spouses are eligible to participate. During Reboot, participants are introduced to the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to launch a business, including steps for developing business concepts, how to develop a business plan, and information on SBA resources available to help. The program is facilitated by subject matter experts from the SBA and local veteran-owned business owners will be in attendance.

Join the B2B Community

Automotive Technician Training Program Takes Off

The road to a new, high-paying, technical career has been paved with a new consortium of automotive repair shop owners. Recently, several members of the Oceanside Chamber from the automotive industry, concerned with the fact that their industry is lacking in trained auto techs to replace the ones who are soon retiring, met with auto shop owner Chris Knuth. Chris shared his successful non-profit organization’s 10-month auto technician training and apprenticeship program model with our members. The goal of the consortium is to bring the non-profit program to several garages and shops in Oceanside and North County. To participate in the program, please email the workforce development department at victoria@oceansidechamber.com.

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