Workforce
Modesto is home to an experienced, trusted, diverse, and highly educated workforce. Our community provides the backbone of both national agricultural production and emerging biotechnology innovations. Modesto is also a regional anchor for top universities and college programs that connect the workforce of tomorrow with local internships, providing businesses in any industry the talent they need to succeed.
Workforce Readiness
Modesto’s labor force is on an upward trajectory, with an expected increase from 652,017 in 2023 to 683,070 by 2028. Initiatives such as Stanislaus 2030, Stanislaus Equity Partners (STEP), StanWorks, local educational institutions, and a broad coalition of public-private partners strive to ensure workers are prepared for the modern workforce.
The city also offers a financially stable market for investment. The median household income of approximately $82,000 surpasses the national average and is a credit to the diverse range of employers in the area.
Workforce Built on Career and Family Values
Modesto has a diverse workforce of over 100,000 within its city limits. More than 30,000 residents have an Associate’s Degree or higher, and over 20,000 have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher, with approximately 7,000 holding graduate degrees. Modesto residents are known for their work ethic, career-minded values and attitudes and down-to-earth personalities. Many of Modesto’s youth go on to higher educations at premier institutions in California and the Country, and they are increasingly seeking job opportunities and to raise families here.
Workforce Development and Preparation
Stanislaus County Workforce Development
Stanislaus County Workforce Development helps businesses thrive by providing resources in four key areas: Talent, connecting employers with skilled and qualified job seekers; Work Experience, offering internships, training, and education services; Layoff Aversion, assisting companies during times of transition; and Labor Market Research, delivering customized data and resources to support business growth.
The On-the-Job Training program helps employers offset the costs of training new hires or upskilling promoted employees by reimbursing 50% to 75% of employee wages during the training period.
The Business Services Division strives to build a skilled workforce that supports local businesses to meet hiring goals, lower training costs and maintain a competitive edge. Stanislaus County Workforce Development specializes in research, reporting and labor market information to understand the needs of the businesses in our community to better provide services. The SCWD Business Services team is available to assist you by phone at 209-558-HIRE or by email at business@stanworkforce.com
Stanislaus County’s Economic Development Agency, Opportunity Stanislaus (OS) and the Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE) are directly addressing the strong need for workforce development through their joint initiative, VOLT University. VOLT offers a Career Accelerator program offering courses and one-day workshops focused on the soft skills necessary to innovate, produce and satisfy customers, as well as specific high-demand career track training programs such as Production Technicians and Maintenance Mechanics.