Need workers? OJT finds them, trains them, and pays half their salaries during training |
It’s a deal more and more businesses are finding too good to pass up – a job-training program that provides eligible companies reimbursements of up to 50% of a newly hired employee’s salary while he or she is in training.
OJT (On The Job Training) is one of WDB’s most popular of Business Services programs, helping employers across San Bernardino County fill critical-need positions.
Businesses interested in participating should contact one of the county’s three America’s Job Centers of California. The AJCC will then refer a candidate to the employer and conduct the on-the-job training.
Best of all, OJT will reimburse half of that employee’s salary for up to three months during the initial training period.
For more information, contact your closest AJCC:
East Valley: 500 Inland Center Drive, Sp. 503, Inland Center Mall, 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
Or contact your Business Services Team specialist
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Jeff Golson (left), President of Valley Bulk Inc., and Lloyd McCoy, the company’s Safety Director |
How WDB/OJT are helping this Victorville company meet demand |
As a smaller company in the fiercely competitive world of truck transport, Valley Bulk Inc. in Victorville leans heavily on WDB’s On-The-Job Training program to meet its employment needs.
The company, which transports products such as gypsum, cement powder and silica sand for the construction industry, requires its drivers to be able to operate their heavy-duty truck that include specialized features such as pneumatics.
“OJT has been a tremendous asset for us,” said Jeff Golson, President of Valley Bulk. “We’re a really specialized company, and to bring in someone without the right experience requires a lot of training and a lot of time to recoup that expense. OJT gives us that flexibility.”
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Latest Labor Market Intelligence Report |
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Employers in San Bernardino County added nearly 8,000 jobs in July as payrolls reached their highest level since before the COVID-19 pandemic. For the Inland Empire as a whole, supply chain jobs have seen the largest year-over-year increase – 35,100 jobs, followed by leisure and hospitality (up 18,400 jobs). |
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Phil Cothran, Chairman, San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board |
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Planes, Trains & Autonomous Vehicles |
Partnerships between like-minded stakeholders can play a huge role in building a successful workforce system. As many of you know, I live and work in Fontana, and for several years now, community leaders have been working together to help prepare students there for future career opportunities.
Next month, the Fontana Mayor’s Education Coalition will host a five-week career development forum for high school juniors and seniors, called “Planes, Trains & Autonomous Vehicles.” Each Saturday morning during October, students will learn about the rapidly changing world of transportation – and the emerging career opportunities that come with that – from experts in the field
I am honored to be able to highlight this effort, and look forward to sharing the results. In the meantime, kudos to the city, the business community, the school districts and the many volunteers that are making this possible.
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Special Populations Committee |
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WDB-supported Pilot project offers training for individuals with autism |
San Bernardino Valley College and the Uniquely Abled Project have launched a pilot program to provide Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machinist training to individuals with autism. The first cohort of eight students are receiving on-campus instruction and hands-on work experience using SBVC’s state-of-the-art machinist technology, with WDB later providing job placement.
“We applaud Valley College, the Uniquely Abled Project and all of the supporters of this model program that will create great career opportunities for a segment of the population that is often left out. At Workforce Development, we look forward to working with program graduates and our business community in providing job placement services,” said Jonathan Weldy, Chairman of the WDB’s Special Populations Committee.
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Incumbent Worker Training |
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WDB, InTech upskill CSI employees to meet critical need for certified welders |
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At the InTech Center in Fontana, a cohort of 12 California Steel Industry workers is being retrained in a skillset critical to the company’s future.
The 640 hours of advanced welding training, supported by WDB, is about more than the hands-on experience and certification participants receive. The newly launched program was designed specifically for current CSI workers to meet a critical need for certified welders within the company.
“What we’ve got here is a model for upskilling workers while helping companies retain valued employees – a win-win that strengthens our labor pool and helps to build an even stronger economy,” said Curt Hagman, Chairman of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.
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The relationship between San Bernardino County and Intech goes back several years. WDB has been a funding and support partner since shortly after Chaffey College and California Steel formally created the center in a building on the CSI grounds in 2014 to provide in-demand technical training and professional development for businesses and industries within the county.
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My first job, beyond babysitting, was while I was in high school. I worked as a clerk in a small local grocery store in San Bernardino. I was so excited to earn $1.10 per hour! The grocery store was adjacent to a senior housing project. I established relationships with many of the seniors and really leaned in to what my parents had taught me about respecting your elders. I enjoyed talking with them, as they always shared interesting stories. I took pride in being able to accurately count money and balance my bank. I loved training new employees that came on board. My least favorite part of the job was restocking product, “facing” the shelves, and mopping the floors, but that taught me full responsibility within a job, and I always did it with commitment and attention to detail. This first job helped me to develop leadership and social skills and allowed me to realize that I enjoyed being of service to others. Five decades later, I am defined by my passion towards leadership and service. |
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Workforce Stat of the Month |
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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 available during the pandemic. If you know of anyone who could use this valuable assistance, a calendar of upcoming sessions is available here.
In the meantime, here are some upcoming events and release dates.
Friday, September 17: California EDD releases August jobs report.
Wednesday, September 22: WDB General Board meeting.
Wednesday, October 13: WDB committee meetings.
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For archived videos of our free Business Services webinars, such as this one on creating a culture of professionalism, click here.
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Click here to 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 at info.workforce@wdd.sbcounty.gov.
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