BAY REGION COE ANNOUNCEMENTS

February 2026

Marcela Reyes, Director of the Bay Region Center of Excellence, provides an overview of updates to the LMI report format, which now applies consistently across program recommendations, modifications, and reviews. While the underlying labor market data remains the same, the revised reports feature a clearer summary and visual layout at the beginning to help readers quickly understand key takeaways. The updated format highlights how occupations compare to regional living wage benchmarks and whether projected workforce demand supports program development, with clear explanations and defined terminology included at the end of the report. Overall recommendations continue to be grounded in labor market data, while colleges may still submit additional contextual evidence to support their proposals. You can find the recording here.

This report examines career mobility pathways for four lower-wage childhood education occupations - teaching assistants, preschool teachers, self-enrichment teachers, and childcare workers. Using labor market data and a skills-based compatibility analysis, the report identifies lateral occupations that require minimal additional education and next-level occupations that offer higher wages but may require further credentials. It evaluates wages, projected job openings, and educational requirements at both the state and Bay Region levels, highlighting that while many of these roles meet California’s statewide living wage, they fall short of the higher cost of living in the Bay Area.

The Bay Region Center of Excellence (COE) developed a sector profile for energy, construction, and utilities that provides a comprehensive labor market snapshot across four career pathways. The profile highlights occupational demand, including projected job growth, annual openings, and entry-level and median wages. It also analyzes community college program data, detailing the number of colleges offering related programs and the average number of certificates and degrees awarded by both community colleges and other institutions in the Bay Region. By examining workforce trends alongside educational supply, the report serves as a strategic tool for decision-makers and practitioners to guide funding proposals, strengthen courses and career pathways, and better align programs across K-12, community colleges, and four-year institutions. Workforce professionals can use these insights to better understand employment trends and training needs within the sector.

Key facts about the energy, construction, and utilities sector in the Bay Region are highlighted below.

If you missed it, check out these sector profiles:

• Sector Profile: ICT/Digital Media
• Sector Profile: AgWater & Environmental Technologies

For additional labor market information for California and the Bay Region, visit:

• Statewide Centers of Excellence (COE) for Labor Market Research
• Bay Region COE / BACCC
• Bay Area Community College Consortium (BACCC)

The Bay Region COE is located and hosted by Cabrillo Community College. It serves the 28 community colleges in the 12-county Bay Region with labor market information and workforce research. The COE is funded by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office through the Economic and Workforce Development Program and Strong Workforce Program. Please contact the Bay Region COE if you have any questions about the newsletter, or suggestions for data and information you would like to see in future newsletters.

BAY REGION COE TEAM

Marcela Reyes, Director

marcela@baccc.net

Liza Chavac, Assistant Director

liza@baccc.net

Yumi Huang, Research Analyst

yumi@baccc.net

Leila Jamoosian, Research Analyst

leila@baccc.net