#19STRONG Economic Impact
LA Sector Profiles and Dashboard
To support the collaborative planning and development of career education (CE) programs and to inform regional investments in Los Angeles County, the Los Angeles Center of Excellence develops in-demand sector profiles examining labor market and community college program data to identify opportunity areas for workforce development in the region.
These sector profiles highlight middle-skill occupations, jobs that typically require some form of education or training beyond a high school diploma, but less than a bachelor’s degree. These occupations are a critical component of the overall workforce and support the economic vitality of the county and state.
The profiles provide students, potential students, and workers looking to expand their skill sets clear and accessible information to community college programs aligned with key middle-skill occupations. They also direct industry executives to the number of awards being conferred by postsecondary institutions, identifying whether a shortage or oversupply of workers exist for these priority occupations in these sectors.
Los Angeles Subregional Profiles
Summary Report
From entertainment to life sciences and advanced manufacturing, Los Angeles County drives California’s innovation and creative economy. What makes Los Angeles unique from any other region of the state is the diversity of that economy across its geographic boundaries for its nearly 10 million residents. Analyzing and understanding Los Angeles’ economy requires a deeper look from a subregional perspective.
To establish a clearer picture of its economy, the Los Angeles Center of Excellence (COE) has created subregional profiles analyzing demographic, labor market, and postsecondary supply data. Begun in 2025, each subregional profile was created to:
- Identify labor market opportunities unique to each subregion
- Facilitate alignment between labor market needs and CE training
- Inform strategic planning efforts and investments by local community colleges
- Support the annual updating process of the Strong Workforce Program (SWP) Regional Plan
Central Los Angeles
Subregional Profile
Gateway Cities Subregional Profile
San Fernando Valley
Subregional Profile
San Gabriel Valley
Subregional Profile
South Bay
Subregional Profile
Westside Cities
Subregional Profile
Watch the Recorded Webinar for the Subregional Profiles.
Passcode: Xzz54W^V
LARC Economic Impact Study
The Economic Value of Los Angeles County’s Community Colleges
Los Angeles County’s 19 community colleges are a powerful driver of economic opportunity and workforce development. Published by Lightcast in August 2026, this report examines their economic impact and return on investment using fiscal year 2024–25 data. The colleges generated $25.8 billion in added income for the county, supporting 241,603 jobs—one in every 29 jobs in Los Angeles County.
The report also highlights lasting benefits for students, taxpayers, and communities. For every dollar students invest in their education, they are projected to receive $5.90 in higher lifetime earnings, while California society gains $9.50 in cumulative benefits for every dollar invested. Explore the executive summary to learn how community colleges strengthen the regional economy, expand career opportunities, and advance economic mobility.
Centers of Excellence for Labor Market Research (COE)
The regional Centers of Excellence for Labor Market Research (COE) are the leading source of regional workforce information and insight for California Community Colleges. As a grant-funded technical assistance provider, the COE works with colleges, regions and the sector networks to identify opportunities and trends in high growth, emerging, and economically critical industries and occupations, analyze the gap between labor market demand, available training, and existing or future workers, and help regions respond to workforce needs by providing quality information for decision-making.
UCLA Anderson School of Management
- LA County Quarterly Forecast 2022 Q2
- LA County Quarterly Forecast 2022 Q3
- LA County Quarterly Forecast 2022 Q4
- March 2023 Forecast Report
- LA County Quarterly Forecast 2023 Q1
- LA County Quarterly Forecast 2023 Q2
- LA County Quarterly Forecast 2023 Q3
- LA County Quarterly Forecast 2023 Q4
- LA County Quarterly Forecast 2024 Q1
- LA County Quarterly Forecast 2024 Q2
- LA County Quarterly Forecast 2025 Q1
Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC)
CCCCO Student Employment Outcomes: California Landscape Analysis Findings & Strategy Session
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