A collaborative outreach program promoting engagement and support, fostering partnerships between local organizations, and empowering the San Diego Community
San Diego’s Competitive Edge (SDCE) is a solution aimed to grow our business’s community engagement while simultaneously combating social inequities.
We provide a unique workforce opportunity that enriches opportunities for others. This initiative allows both our partnered companies and community to work side by
side to identify concerns that are sometimes overlooked in workforce development. SDCE’s mission is to implement a social responsibility to expand opportunities for those in our community that have faced cultural displacement.
About the program
Our Train-to-Hire Program is a 6-week 224-hour trade-skills pre-apprenticeship designed to create career opportunities in the utility sector for San Diego residents aged 18 to 30. Each cohort consists of 20 carefully selected candidates.
Before each cohort begins, we conduct a comprehensive analysis of our community’s current demographics and collaborate with our dedicated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council for targeted candidate recruitment. The DEI Council actively engages with local faith-based organizations, community leaders, and peer-to-peer networks, leveraging the support of previous cohort graduates to identify promising candidates.
The training curriculum combines hands-on and practical learning, including a weeklong intensive bootcamp, OSHA certifications, resume building, the development of interpersonal skills and much more.
Participants receive a weekly stipend calculated at an hourly rate of $22, along with prepared meals for breakfast and lunch. They are also paired with mentors who provide guidance throughout the program.
After completing the program, the DEI Council continues to support graduates with mentorship as needed, fostering steady career development and long-term success in the utility sector.
“How you do one thing is how you do everything” - Brianna Birdwell
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Age 18 - 30
Valid California Driver’s License
San Diego Resident
Must pass a Motor Vehicle Check
Must pass multiple 5 Panel Drug Tests
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Daily Safety / Tailboard Messages
Introduction to the Utility Industry
Introduction to the Construction Industry
Introduction to the Trade Unions
California Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA 10)
OSHA 30
Week Long Trade Skills Bootcamp
Ethical Foundations: Mastering Integrity and Values
HR Insights and Best Practices
Financial Literacy ft. Financial Advisor
Foundations Of Effective Leadership
Time Management Essentials
CPR/First Aid/AED Certification
Mindfulness and Wellness For Success
Resumes and LinkedIn Profiles for Success
Responsible Social Media
Safe Driving Course
Fundamentals of Automotive Mechanics
IT & Cybersecurity Essentials
Conflict Resolution Fundamentals
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San Diego Competitive Edge is a collaborative mission to strengthen and enhance both the retiring workforce and our social responsibility to our community; a collaborative mission ignited after a successful first cohort led in June 2022 , the second one held in June 2023, the third one held in June 2024 and currently working on developing the 2025 cohort. We look forward to managing one pre-apprenticeship cohort per year with the option to expand to many more.
"San Diego Competitive Edge Program was a great experience, I have learned a lot and had lots of fun engaging conversations with the instructors and people that were in the program. Thanks to the program I was given a head start into following my career path, and now I work at SDG&E, a company that is somewhat difficult to get in too. So overall I thank competitive edge, and I highly recommend this program"
-Charles Bryant.
" Changed my lifestyle got me more responsible, showed me another part of life. Helped me become a useful unique man in my community"
-Kelldonn B.
"I feel like everyone should have the opportunity because not too many people know about this industry very well, and you get paid very good."
Victor D.