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MARCH 2026
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Col. Paul Cook (Ret.) District 1
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Jesse Armendarez District 2
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Dawn Rowe
Chairman
District 3
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Curt Hagman
District 4
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Joe Baca Jr.
Vice Chair
District 5
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Luther Snoke – Chief Executive Officer, San Bernardino County
Bradley Gates – Director, Workforce Development Department
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Creating opportunities for your staff is a defining trait of an Employer of Choice
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Today’s workforce is increasingly drawn to environments where employees feel respected, supported and connected to a shared purpose. As part of the Workforce Development Board’s ongoing Employer of Choice series, this month’s focus is on how workplace culture and environment shape successful and resilient organizations.
A positive working environment begins with trust and communication. Employees perform best when expectations are clear, feedback is constructive, and leadership is approachable and transparent. Open communication helps employees feel heard and valued, strengthening morale and teamwork.
Respect and inclusion are equally essential. Workplaces that prioritize fairness, collaboration and psychological safety create conditions where employees are comfortable sharing ideas, solving problems and contributing fully. When individuals feel respected, productivity and job satisfaction rise.
Recognition also plays a key role. Acknowledging achievements – both large and small – reinforces positive behaviors, helps employees feel appreciated and builds a culture of shared ownership and pride.
Work-life balance further contributes to a healthy environment. Flexible scheduling, reasonable workloads and support for employee well-being demonstrate that employers value their people beyond productivity alone. These practices reduce burnout and improve long-term performance.
Creating a positive working environment is not only good for employees – it is good for business. Organizations with strong workplace cultures see higher engagement, lower turnover, improved collaboration and better overall results.
For San Bernardino County, the impact extends beyond individual workplaces. Employers who foster positive environments help build a stronger, more stable workforce – one that supports economic growth, innovation and opportunity across our region.
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 What Makes an Employer of Choice?
The San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board and its Economic Development and Business Resource Committee will host a series of workshops to help businesses and organizations become Employers of Choice.
April 17: "Attracting Talent to be the Employer of Choice."
April 23: "Purpose-Driven Leadership for a Strong and Engaged Workplace."
April 30: "Building Workplaces Where Talent Thrives."
Stay tuned to upcoming editions of Workforce Update and follow @SBCWorkforce on social media for more information.
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Workplace Culture Matters:
A Quick Employer of Choice Checklist
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Build Trust & Communication
Create openness and clarity
- Encourage transparent leadership.
- Provide regular constructive feedback.
- Ensure employees feel heard.
Foster Respect & Inclusion
Create a culture of belonging
- Promote fairness and teamwork.
- Encourage diverse perspectives.
- Support psychological safety.
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Recognize & Empower
Reinforce value and contribution
- Celebrate achievements and milestones.
- Encourage employee input.
- Support shared ownership of goals.
Support Well-Being & Balance
Help employees thrive long-term
- Encourage work-life balance.
- Promote manageable workloads.
- Offer flexibility when possible.
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Why It Matters
A positive work environment helps employers:
✔ Improve engagement and morale. ✔ Increase retention.
✔ Strengthen teamwork and innovation.
✔ Reduce burnout and turnover. ✔ Reinforce Employer of Choice status.
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WDB programs reduce the financial risk businesses face during hiring and training |
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Shannon Shannon
WDB Chair
One of the great joys of serving on the Workforce Development Board is seeing the impact we are able to have across our region. Each month, in our Workforce Update newsletter, we present one of these success stories as a reminder that when we invest in people and support our local employers, the results extend far beyond a single business or job seeker.
The item below on Shed World is a great example, showing how programs such as On-the-Job Training reduce the financial risk small businesses face when hiring and training new employees. They create a bridge – connecting motivated job seekers with employers willing to invest in their growth. At the same time, workers receive paid, hands-on training that leads to real skills, competitive wages, benefits and long-term career pathways in the skilled trades.
This is the holistic nature of workforce development. We are not simply filling open positions; we are building capacity for businesses, strengthening families and expanding opportunity throughout San Bernardino County. When employers have the tools to train and retain talent, they grow with confidence. And when workers succeed, our entire community moves forward together.
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 Shed World Co-Owner Justin Akins, with WDB Chair Shannon Shannon (left) and Director Bradley Gates (right).
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How WDB helped this local company find and train qualified job candidates
For nearly five decades, Shed World has been a family-owned fixture in San Bernardino County, built on craftsmanship, quality and community. Founded in 1979, the second-generation company specializes in custom sheds, garages and accessory structures, offering full design-build services as a licensed general contractor.
Like many small construction firms, Shed World faced challenges hiring and training skilled workers. Custom construction requires months – sometimes years – before new employees are fully productive, making each hire a significant investment.
Through the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board, Shed World connected with recruitment support and the On-the-Job Training (OJT) program. Today, about 30% of its active shed builders were hired through OJT.
“The biggest benefit is help finding candidates and supporting them through the training process,” said co-owner Justin Akins.
Employees gain hands-on experience in framing, roofing, insulation and more, while earning competitive benefits – building long-term careers and helping a local business continue to grow.
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Reporting of state and local employment data for January and February has been delayed until April. Below are the most recent labor market indicators for California and San Bernardino County.
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December 2024
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September 2025**
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November 2025
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December 2025
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San Bernardino County Unemployment Rate
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5.1%
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5.7%
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5.3%
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5.0
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California Unemployment Rate*
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5.2%
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5.6%
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5.4%
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5.1%
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United States Unemployment Rate*
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3.8%
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4.3%
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4.3%
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4.1%
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People Employed in San Bernardino County
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975,200
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991,700
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1,003,800
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1,001,600
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San Bernardino County Labor Force
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1,027,800
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1,051,700
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1,061,100
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1,054,700
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* Rates Not Seasonally Adjusted
** October data collection was cancelled due to the Federal Government shutdown.
SOURCE: California Employment Development Department
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That first job at a teen center helped to shape a lifetime of community work
By Dr. Aileen Dinkjian, Assistant Vice President, San Antonio Regional Hospital
Like most teenagers, I once dreamed of working at Baskin Robbins – mostly for the free ice cream. So I asked my high school Key Club volunteer supervisor for a letter of recommendation. What I didn’t realize was that he held a prominent role and wasn’t just any volunteer supervisor. Pat McArdle was the Deputy Director of Community Services for the City of Chino. I remember him smiling and saying, “You volunteer here so much, you might as well get paid for it.”
That moment changed my life. Instead of serving ice cream, I was offered my first job helping open the City’s very first Teen Center and working in after-school programs with children. It was there that I learned the joy of connecting with people – of seeing generations come together. I’ll never forget how he made me feel seen and took a chance on this high school kid who had no idea I could start a job working for the local government.
What started as a simple request for a reference became the beginning of a lifelong calling. That job didn’t just teach me responsibility; it sparked my enduring passion for building healthier, more connected communities. Every role I’ve held since has been rooted in that same belief: When you invest in people, you transform lives. I’m eternally grateful to start a job that turned into a lifelong commitment for the communities I love.
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Stat of the Month
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The San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board hosts hiring events at the County’s America’s Job Centers of California (AJCCs) and other venues throughout the year. A calendar of these and other events is available online. Check this newsletter every month for additional updates.
Thursday, March 19 – Hiring Event, Central Park Rancho Cucamonga, 11200 Baseline Road, Rancho Cucamonga, 9 a.m.-Noon.
Wednesday, April 15 – Hiring Event, Ontario International Airport, Old Terminal 1, 1940 Moore Way, Ontario. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
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Coming Up
WDB hosts free virtual seminars throughout the week to help job seekers on topics such as interviewing skills, resume building and navigating the employment resources that are available. If you know of anyone who could use this valuable assistance, a calendar of upcoming sessions is available online.
Here are some other events and key dates coming up:
Wednesday, March 18 – WDB General Board Meeting and Budget Workshop, 290 North D Street, San Bernardino, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Friday, April 3 – California Employment Development Department releases its January jobs report. Also: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics releases its March jobs report.
Friday, April 17 – California Employment Development Department releases its February jobs report.
Friday, May 1 – California Employment Development Department releases its March jobs report.
Friday, May 8 – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics releases its April jobs report.
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 On any given day, San Bernardino County’s three America’s Job Centers of California (AJCCs) have access to 100 or more job seekers ready and able to fill your positions. To find that perfect employee for your business, please contact your local AJCC:
East Valley: 500 Inland Center Drive, Space 508, San Bernardino (909) 382-0440
West Valley: 9650 9th St., Suite A, Rancho Cucamonga (909) 941-6500
High Desert: 17310 Bear Valley Road, Suite 109, Victorville (760) 552-6550
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Stay up to date
Catch up on past editions of Workforce Update, WDB’s monthly e-newsletter and labor market intelligence report.
If you know others who would like to receive this timely and important information, please invite them to join our mailing list here. Subscribe to the Workforce Update
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- WIOA Title I-financially assisted programs or activities are an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. For federal funding disclosure information, visit: workforce.sbcounty.gov/about/ffd/
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