Imperial Valley’s Lithium Dream: Training for Jobs That Remain Elusive
As the lithium industry promises a new economic dawn in Imperial Valley, local educational institutions have been proactive in preparing the workforce for jobs that are yet to materialize. Students like Corban Dillon, eager to enter this promising field, face the challenge of training for roles that remain scarce.
Despite completing a certification program at Imperial Valley College in spring 2024, Dillon found that lithium-related job opportunities were not forthcoming. He has since participated in additional training programs, yet the expected boom in lithium extraction jobs — essential for the nation’s clean energy transition — remains unrealized.
“A lot of us already have jobs or have families and are trying to juggle all that and trying to get a certification,” said Dillon, 41. “And not having actual potential employment as of right now, it’s hard for one person to sit there and say, ‘You know what? Let’s continue with this.’”
This situation underscores a common dilemma faced by community colleges: balancing the timing of new training programs with the uncertain arrival of job opportunities. Often, as seen with Imperial Valley College’s efforts, these programs must be developed before the industry is fully established to prevent jobs from being filled by out-of-town skilled workers.
Imperial Valley College, amid job market uncertainties, is temporarily reducing its lithium training programs. Betony Jones of the UC Berkeley Labor Center notes this challenge is not unique to lithium but also affects sectors like solar and advanced manufacturing, where political and economic factors create uncertainty.
“There’s this fine calibration required where employers need the workers for the projects, they can’t start training the workers when they need them,” Jones said. “But workers can’t train and then wait around.”
In Imperial County, where unemployment rates are among the highest in the state, the stakes are high. With a 16.9% unemployment rate in March, the community is eager for the promise of stable, local jobs.
“The mentality that we see today here is: If we want a future, we need to leave the valley. If we want a good job, we need to leave the valley,” said Priscilla Lopez, county director of workforce and economic development. “But wouldn’t it be great to have these opportunities so that your kids can see the opportunities here?”
Despite the region branding itself as “Lithium Valley,” progress has been slow. BHE Renewables has only recently built a demonstration plant, and jobs from Controlled Thermal Resources are still years away.
In response to the anticipated lithium boom, both Imperial Valley College and San Diego State University have expanded their educational offerings. San Diego State invested $80 million in a new STEM campus, while Imperial Valley College launched the Lithium Industry Force Training program with U.S. Department of Energy funding.
However, as industry delays persist due to environmental lawsuits and shifting market dynamics, local educational programs have had to adjust. San Diego State’s new degree programs in electrical engineering and chemistry are designed to support local industry needs, but the job market remains uncertain.
For students like George Prieto, pursuing a plant operator certificate represents a chance to gain stable employment without leaving Imperial Valley. Yet, the delay in job creation has forced the community college to scale back its programs until the industry catches up.
While some graduates like Dillon have found employment in mining outside Imperial County, the anticipated local job market remains a work in progress. As Imperial Valley College continues to train students, the hope persists that the region’s lithium potential will eventually translate into tangible job opportunities.
Original Story at www.latimes.com