CORRECTED: The power of WDBs with Bob Lanter, East Contra Costa hiring fair, affordable internet and more

Workforce Development Month:

The Power of WDBs with Bob Lanter

September is Workforce Development Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of workforce development boards (WDB) to a growing national economy.

A key person in this work statewide is Bob Lanter, executive director of the California Workforce Association. A Contra Costa County native and former director of the WDB of Contra Costa County (WDBCCC), Bob recently returned to his roots to attend our board retreat. We asked him for his take on the importance of WDBs and how the WDBCCC is living up to its mission of achieving equity for all.

READ Q&A WITH BOB LANTER

East Contra Costa Hiring Fair - Sept. 28

Affordable Home Internet is Here!

Great news! Californians can now save on high-speed internet with the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Through this federally funded program, eligible households can now save $30 per month on home internet. When the ACP discount is used with the right internet plan, home internet can be free.

LEARN ABOUT ACP

Online Jobseeker Workshops

Check out these information-packed

online events in September:

Thursday, Sept. 8

Job Readiness Skills

Wednesday, Sept. 14

Soft Skills - Succeeding at Work

LEARN HOW TO REGISTER

5 Gas Apps to Get You

Through the Price Surge

With prices for almost everything at an all-time high, many people are searching for ways to save.

We found a great article from NerdWallet with helpful resources for pinching pennies at the gas pump.

READ ARTICLE

In the Community: Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce Event

WDBCCC staff was honored to attend the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce's 85th Annual Board of Directors Installation & Awards last month. It was a wonderful opportunity to support and celebrate with our partners in workforce development.

Pictured at top are Patience Ofodu, WDBCCC Business and Economic Development Program Manager; Justin Ezell, Assistant City Manager, City of Concord; LaTosha Stockholm, Workforce Services Specialist; and Maureen Nelson, WDBCCC Administrator.

Pictured at right are Elaine Cortez Schroth, CEO and President, Visit Concord; Nichol Carranza, WDB Board Member and Community Relations & Stakeholder Engagement, Marathon Petroleum Corporation; Ofodu; Stockholm; and Nelson.

Jobseeker Success Story:

On-the-Job Training Leads to Full-Time Career

During the height of COVID-19, Ram Panday was in a rough situation. He was already living paycheck to paycheck and then became jobless. Thankfully, his career coach at Rubicon Programs told him of a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program that led to his current employment as a bookkeeper at ACME Pacific Repair.

Ram enrolled in an on-the-job training program. He started working and earning a salary while learning to become a bookkeeper. Funds from WIOA reimbursed his employer for a portion of his salary. After his training, ACME Pacific Repair hired him full time.

"I have a job right now, and I can pay my bills," said Ram. "I was able to complete my training program and start on-the-job training. That training placement became my job. I love my job and WIOA!"

He wants to continue learning new skills and hopes to work at ACME for many years. Ram is grateful for this opportunity and particularly for his career coach, Diana.

"When someone is responsive and available in your time of need, it is wonderful," he said. "I really appreciate Diana always responding to my inquiries and offering help. I really love the program. I definitely encourage people to use the Rubicon program. I am really happy."

LEARN ABOUT RUBICON PROGRAMS

2022 East Bay Philanthropy Awards

Do you know an organization or individual that made an impact on our community this year? Nominate them for an East Bay Philanthropy Award.

The 12th annual event hosted by the East Bay Leadership Council and presented by Wells Fargo showcases inspiring stories and celebrates the generosity that is driving change in our community.

Submit a nomination by Thursday, September 22 to help honor community leaders and organizations that inspire you with their generosity of time, talent, and treasure.

LEARN MORE ABOUT AWARDS

Virtual Training: Accessing ETP Funds for Innovative Programs in Underserved Communities

Note: This article was updated from a previous version to correct an email address.

Training: Sept. 20, 2022, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

The Employment Training Panel and the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County invite you to learn how to align ETP with other funding sources to develop and implement innovative programs to connect people of color from underserved communities to quality careers as EMTs.

Jed Silver, Program Manager for the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County’s Health Initiative, will explain how he used ETP funds to bring about critical wrap-around supports and services, such as a full-time embedded tutor, licensing exam assistance, and even monthly stipends.

They were able to place an entire cohort into quality jobs with their local ambulance company, and are now working with ETP and other funders to build out an apprenticeship program to help EMTs become licensed paramedics.

Silver has 15 years of experience working with ETP, WIOA and other funding sources. He will be available to discuss how workforce boards may utilize ETP safely and effectively to help advance equity and meet employer demand.

Renee Pierce, Senior Economic Development Analyst for ETP, will moderate the webinar. For questions, contact Renee at renee.pierce@etp.ca.gov or Jed at jsilver@ehsd.cccounty.us

Save this link to join the training on Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3319341422

Deadline for Microbusiness & Nonprofit Relief Grant Extended to Oct. 19

LEARN ABOUT THE RELIEF GRANT

Small Business Resource:

Paid Family Leave Grant

A new grant is making it easier for California small businesses to support their employees when they need to be away to care for their families. The Paid Family Leave (PFL) Small Business Grant will pay up to $2,000 to small businesses impacted by paid family leave to offset costs related to hiring or cross-training.

LEARN ABOUT THE FAMILY LEAVE GRANT

Q&A With Board Member Jerry Aranas

We welcome Jerry Aranas to the WDBCCC board! He is one of our newest board members and serves on the Youth Committee.

In this Q&A, the Supply Chain Business Manager for Lam Research shared why he chose to join the WDBCCC and the aspects of workforce development he's most passionate about.

READ ABOUT JERRY ARANAS

Labor Market Update

The state's latest labor market information shows that Contra Costa County's unemployment rate was 3.1% in July, down just slightly from 3.2% in June. Read the most recent state labor report for the Oakland-Hayward-Berkeley Metropolitan Division.

READ LABOR MARKET UPDATE

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