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G CALIFORNIA'S EDGE <br />California's 2 I st Century <br />EDGE <br />There is some reason for optimism that California is <br />well positioned to meet these challenges. California has <br />pioneering technologies, an enviable education and <br />training infrastructure, and major academic research <br />centers. Unlike some competitor states and nations, <br />California has attracted a young and diverse workforce. <br />But as observed by the California Economic Strategies <br />Panel, "California lacks an economic and workforce <br />investment strategy that focuses on regional strengths <br />and opportunities, and connects state and local efforts <br />for maximum impact:'" <br />"Cali Tornio must California must develop that <br /> strategy and commit to a high <br />commit to a skill, high wage, "high road" econ- <br />high skill, °my.'" This means greater math <br /> and science literacy; education <br />high wage, and training leading to jobs that <br /> <br />`hi <br />h rood' pay self-sufficiency wages and <br />g offer career advancement; and <br />economy." incentives and rewards for indus- <br />...................................... tries that combine investments in <br /> worker training with world-class <br /> innovation. <br />Closing the gap between the supply and demand for <br />skilled workers will not address all of California's labor <br />market challenges. Far too man y jobs will pay too little <br />to support a family,'° and the s tate will need other <br /> kinds of economic and <br /> social policies to ensure <br />"Call fornla lacks that our prosperity is <br /> shared equitably <br />an eCOnom1C among all those <br /> who create it. But with- <br />and work force out a highly skilled <br /> <br />investment strategy workforce, California <br />stands no chance of <br />that focuses on maintaining its <br /> competitive edge. <br />regional strengths <br /> <br />and opportunities The decisions made by <br />, the Governor and <br />and connects state Legislature in the next <br /> few years will largely <br />and local e f forts determine whether the <br /> <br />for maximum state remains an eco- <br /> nomic powerhouse. A <br />» <br />Impact. prosperous California <br /> will be a highly skilled <br /> California. <br />17 Center for the Continuing Study of the California Economy, Conditions of Competitiveness of California's Economy (California Regional Economies <br />Project: 2004), downloaded from http://www.labocca.gov/paneUespcrepmonocond.pdf. <br />18 A "high road" economy is one that competes on the basis of productivity and quality, rather than cost. <br />19 More than one-third of the jobs California added between 2003 and 2005 were in low-paying industries. California Budget Project, California's Job <br />Growth 11~as Strong, but Wage Gains Were 6Ueak Between 2003 and 2005 (Policy Points: June 2006). <br />19E-9 <br />