You might consider Peter Callstrom’s calling to be matchmaker for jobs on a large scale, helping companies find workers with the right skills, and helping workers acquire and market those skills.
Callstrom, who has been CEO of the San Diego Workforce Partnership since 2012, heads up an agency with a reach across the San Diego region. The goal, as he describes it, is to help close the “opportunity gap” by reaching people where they are, in what neighborhood or Zip Code that might be, and to bridge the “awareness gap” to identify needs for workers and employers alike. And, to close the skils gap by serving both employers and job seekers.
The SDWP oversees a network of eight career centers, including two in county jails, and reaches more than 100,000 job seekers annually, including the underserved and people with varied barriers to employment. The annual budget of about $35 million comes from public, private sector and philanthropic sources.
One of the agency’s innovations is the creation of the nation’s first and only Income Share Agreement fund in the public workforce system. The fund is a financing program to support college pathways without the burden of student debt. Students only repay when they land a job that pays $40,000 or more. Repayment goes back into the fund, enabling the same opportunity for others.
Callstrom came to San Diego from Minnesota after majoring in business administration and communications at Minnesota State University, Mankato south of Minneapolis. He arrived with no job, but a passion for social services. In college, he discovered this interest through volunteer work with people with disabilities. The challenge of closing the skills gap was one he continues to embrace “no job, no nothing” and discovered he had an interest, and a talent in finding vocational work for people with disabilities. The challenge then of closing the skills gap was one he continues to face. “Employers can’t find enough employees with skills for many positions. Job seekers want to acquire new skills to advance their career. That is where the SDWP comes in," Callstrom said. "We bridge the gaps and create workforce talent and the opportunity to succeed.”
Callstrom, 58, has been married to his wife, Patti, for 25 years and they have two daughters, Grace, 16, who is active in horseback riding, and Emma, 12, who plays softball and soccer.
Sage Executive group added the Partnership as one of the non-profits it sponsors early this year.