Related Articles
-Editorial
Imperial County officials, educators, industry representatives, and community organizations gathered on Nov. 21 at Imperial Valley College for the Lithium Valley Workforce and Economic Development Convening, where the RAND Corporation presented a sweeping Workforce and Economic Development Needs Assessment outlining how the region can prepare for one of the most significant economic opportunities in decades.
The event drew a broad coalition of stakeholders who shared their perspectives on the state of Lithium Valley, the challenges they face, and their hopes for the industry’s future. County officials and the Imperial County Workforce Development Board were recognized for supporting the multi-year effort, with special acknowledgment given to staff members who helped coordinate the research and community engagement.
RAND researchers emphasized that the lithium boom represents a transformative opportunity for the region. Based on their analysis, lithium extraction — distinct from traditional mining — could become Imperial County’s largest job creator in generations. The study estimates roughly 700 operational jobs and nearly 1,000 construction jobs from the three lithium extraction companies already investing locally. According to comparable case studies, each lithium job could generate between 1.5 and 2.3 additional jobs in secondary sectors, and long-term economic activity could yield millions in local tax revenue.
The report is based on extensive public data, interviews with local leaders, two town hall meetings held last fall, and focus groups that included community members, education institutions, training centers, lithium companies, and elected officials. RAND’s role, researchers said, was to understand current economic conditions, anticipate future changes, and provide actionable recommendations that local agencies and institutions can implement over the next decade.
Researchers outlined current workforce capacity, noting that Imperial County is well-positioned to fill many of the anticipated jobs. While unemployment in the county remains high, 72% of residents hold a high school diploma or equivalent — a critical factor since many lithium-related roles require only short-term training rather than higher education degrees. Positions such as assemblers, fabricators, and operations managers offer wages above regional averages and are aligned with the county’s existing education levels.
Imperial Valley College, the region’s primary community college, has already launched two programs aligned with lithium extraction and is developing a bachelor’s degree in industrial automation. San Diego State University–Imperial Valley is moving forward with a degree in electrical engineering. Local training institutions, including IVROP and Career Expansion, are expanding programs tied to technical fields, GED completion, and ESL instruction. However, campus representatives told RAND that a lack of detailed job descriptions from industry hampers their ability to design curricula, forecast enrollment, and hire qualified instructors. This process often takes more than 2 years.
Residents also raised concerns about affordability and transportation. Many are hesitant to leave current jobs to pursue training, and transportation barriers, especially outside El Centro, make commuting to school or work difficult. RAND noted that the county’s long-range transportation plan could help address these gaps.
Infrastructure limitations remain another major challenge. Housing stock does not meet projected workforce needs, road quality is inconsistent, and transportation options are limited. Battery manufacturing — a highly sought secondary industry — faces hurdles due to high water and energy requirements, lengthy permitting under the California Environmental Quality Act, and multibillion-dollar investments already established in other states.
RAND outlined dozens of recommendations across workforce development, business attraction, and community investment. Short-term ideas include launching a county-run talent-matching portal to connect residents to job openings, forming apprenticeship consortia, and expanding middle and high school programs that expose students to lithium-related careers. Long-term strategies include a “stay and grow” bonus program to retain local workers, instructor externships at lithium facilities, an annual investment summit hosted in Imperial County, and a diversified industry-attraction strategy.
On the community side, the report calls for expanded broadband access, land-use readiness planning, improved transportation links, and new affordable housing located near major employment sites. The recommendations emphasize collaboration between the county government, private companies, schools, and residents.
County officials noted that several initiatives are already underway, including the Lithium Valley Specific Plan, programmatic environmental impact studies, the Lithium Extraction Excise Tax, and the Good Neighbor Community Benefits Agreement framework.
