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Workforce Development Month: Celebrating Growth, Opportunity,

and Community Impact

September is Workforce Development Month, a time to highlight the vital role that workforce development programs play in shaping a prosperous and inclusive economy.


The Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County (WDBCCC) is proud to be part of this mission, serving businesses and more than 60,000 individuals through programs like the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).


This month, we celebrate the contributions of workforce development professionals, who play a crucial role in helping job seekers bridge the gap between unemployment and job opportunities. Together with employers, strategic partners, and community members, they strengthen Contra Costa County's economic competitiveness, improving the quality of life for all.

READ THE PROCLAMATION

City of Antioch’s

Mayor’s Apprenticeship Program (MAP)

Exciting Opportunity for Young Adults (Ages 18-26): The City of Antioch’s Mayor’s Apprenticeship Program (MAP) is here to help you embark on a transformative journey! 


In partnership with Rubicon Programs, this initiative is designed for young adults who have faced unique challenges, including justice-involved individuals, those in foster care, or anyone facing employment barriers. Participants will receive 60 hours of paid workforce development training and continued professional growth support. This program fosters an environment that encourages and empowers you to succeed. 


Interested? Contact youth@antiochca.gov or call (925) 779-7082 for more details!

Bridging Innovation and Manufacturing

September 18-19, 2024 | Berkeley, CA


Join us for a two-day event featuring thought leaders, including Tamia Brown, WDBCCC's Executive Director. Industry experts, researchers from LBNL, LLNL, and SLAC, and key state and federal stakeholders will explore the future of California's battery industry.


Expect cutting-edge presentations, networking, and breakout sessions on workforce development, supply chains, pilot production, and more.

REGISTER NOW

Multi-Chamber Networking Bash

Contra Costa County Coalition of Chambers Networking BASH on July 25, 2024, was an evening of valuable connections, insightful conversations, and new opportunities. Held in the Shakespeare Theater within the beautiful foothills of Orinda, over eight businesses provided tasty samples from their cuisines.


Participating Chamber members and their guests included Benicia, Concord, Danville, Lafayette, Martinez, Moraga, Orinda, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, and San Ramon. WDBCCC Business Services Representatives attended to share opportunities and resources and provide support.

WDB Supports Layoff-Impacted Fresenius Medical Care with Career Fair in Concord

On May 17, 2024, WDBCCC received a WARN (Worker Adjustment Retraining Notice) from Fresenius Medical Care regarding permanently laying off 309 affected employees on August 16 and September 27, 2024. The notice also advised of additional layoffs at the end of the year. All other Management and other employees will be laid off in the first quarter of 2025.


On August 1, 2024, the WDB Rapid Response (RR) staff, along with its Rapid Response partners, Rubicon Programs, State of California Employment Development Department (EDD), Covered California authorized agent, Health Markets, and the US Department of Labor (DOL) hosted two RR Transition orientations at the Fresenius Medical Care manufacturing plant in Concord. WDB gave a general overview of its RR partners and their various programs and services, which include the WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) employment and training program, Unemployment Insurance, CalJobs, California Training Benefits, Affordable healthcare, information about COBRA and 401k retirement accounts, etc. There were 147 impacted employees in attendance.


On August 6, 2024, the WDB RR staff and the EDD attended the Fresenius Medical Care Career Fair in Concord. This event was customized for specialized positions at Fresenius Medical Care, including experienced Assemblers, Engineers, Manufacturing Technicians, Warehouse Workers, Quality Control Coordinators, Inspectors, and Production Supervisors.


This was an opportunity for companies to meet, interview, and hire highly skilled and experienced talent. The WDB assisted Fresenius Medical Care by providing employers, while the EDD provided information to employers about recruiting and hiring Veterans into their workforce. Fourteen companies participated in the event, including Bio-Rad, TESLA, United States Mint, BART, USPS, Nelson Connects, Kensington Laboratories, and many others.

WDB Attends NAWDP's Business Services Academy and Conference in Maryland!

(L-R) WDB Staff - Charles Brown III, Maryland's WorkSource Montgomery's Lead Business Solutions Consultant, Mona Liza Tinaza, Business Services Consultant, Jan Abraham, and Director of Business Solutions, Michelle Brown.

From August 12 through August 14, 2024, the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) teamed up with host sponsor Maryland Workforce Association to offer a Business Services Academy and Conference at the Live! Casino & Hotel in Hanover, MD.


This academy was designed to equip Business Services Representatives (BSRs) with the tools, knowledge, and expertise they need to excel in the ever-evolving business services landscape. WDB staff, Charles Brown III, BSR, and other BSRs and stakeholders throughout the country were in attendance.

The academy offered intensive and thorough training on essential core competencies, including Linkages and Promotion of the Workforce System, Business Engagement and Interaction, Engagement in Economic Development, and Talent Pipeline Development. BSRs gained valuable knowledge and insights from industry professionals, connected with like-minded peers, and stayed updated on industry trends.


WDB staff member Charles Brown III attended workshops and a pre-conference session on engaging businesses through data. The pre-conference session topics included workforce environment, showcasing competencies to businesses, and how to engage others when contemplating the workforce system as a unified entity. Mr. Brown enjoyed the event and learned new business services strategies while meeting industry professionals from other parts of the country.

Job Corps Celebrates 60th Anniversary

On August 29th, Treasure Island Job Corps celebrated its 60th year anniversary. Since 1964, Job Corps has been a catalyst for the careers of young people across the country.


Students at Treasure Island Job Corps Center are gaining hands-on, real-world experience for careers in the nation's most in-demand industries. We thank you all for supporting our program through these years.

Job Seeker Success Story: From Unemployment to Independence

Mr. Michael Jones’ story is one of perseverance and determination. Before finding Rubicon Programs, he faced the tough reality of unemployment. With his EDD benefits exhausted and the pressure mounting, Mr. Jones found himself in a difficult situation. Despite having years of experience driving commercial vehicles, he had lost his Class A driver’s license due to personal setbacks and needed to start the licensing process from scratch.


Determined to turn his life around, Mr. Jones enrolled in the Commercial Driver Training Program with Advance Bus and Trucking in Lodi, California. It was through his partnership with Rubicon that his life began to change. Rubicon’s support, coupled with his own determination, helped him regain control of his career. Mr. Jones was also selected to receive financial assistance through the Rubicon Instep program, which provided him with crucial resources to complete his training and secure employment.


With a new lease on life, Mr. Jones has secured a position as a commercial driver and set his sights even higher. He aims to become an independent commercial driver and start a family business by helping his sons obtain their Class A licenses.


Mr. Jones repeatedly expressed his gratitude for Rubicon’s unwavering support. In recognition of his hard work, he received two additional stipends of $500 through the Instep program—one for completing his career training and another for securing employment.


Michael Jones’ journey is a testament to the power of persistence and community support. Thanks to Rubicon, he’s not only rebuilding his life but also paving the way for his family’s future success.

Jobseeker Events in September

Looking to change careers this year? Check out EastBay Works' events, where you can gain certifications and other job-training skills. This month's events include:


* “Networking and the Hidden Job Market” Virtual Workshop: Mon., Sept. 9, 3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.


* Rubicon Resource Portal ft Treasure Island Job Corps Mon. Sept. 9, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.


* Department of Rehabilitation On-Site: Thur. Sept. 2, 19, and 26, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

VIEW MORE EVENTS

Labor Market Update

Contra Costa County's unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in July 2024. That's up from 4.7 percent in June 2024. Read the most recent state labor report for the Oakland-Hayward-Berkeley Metropolitan Division.

READ THE LABOR MARKET UPDATE

Stay In-the-Know

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