County steps in as workforce development provider to San Bernardino

SAN BERNARDINO – The San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board (WDB) is proud to announce the expansion of its employment and training services to include the City of San Bernardino as part of a plan approved today by the County’s Board of Supervisors.

“We’re honored to provide these vital services as part of our steadfast commitment to the City of San Bernardino and its residents,” said James Ramos, Chairman of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors. “This kind of employment assistance is vital for residents and the City. We welcome the opportunity to take on this critically important responsibility.”

The move follows a request made to the county by the state this past fall to provide job training and assistance to San Bernardino City residents under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

Under the WIOA-funded plan, San Bernardino residents are eligible to receive employment and training assistance at the East Valley America’s Job Center of California at 658 E. Brier Drive, Suite 100. Services include career planning and counseling, on-the-job and vocational training, personal coaching, resume assistance and workshops on interviewing and dressing for success.

Mike Gallo, who serves on the Workforce Development Board as well as the San Bernardino City Unified School District Board of Education, said, “The assistance provided by the WDB will be a tremendous asset for the City, improving our quality of life and transforming our community. Creating opportunities through career pathways and vocational education for our youth and adult job seekers is essential to growing our economy.”

Reg Javier, the County’s Deputy Executive Officer for Workforce and Economic Development, said the WDB’s commitment to San Bernardino is far-reaching and will include:

• An expansion of youth service providers and a focus on foster youth – the latter in partnership with the Children and Family Services Department and the Department of Behavioral Health’s Transitional Age Youth Program.

• Close collaboration with San Bernardino City Unified School District on a pilot program that provides work experience for students in career pathways and students struggling in a traditional school setting.
• Plans for a job fair within the City in the spring of 2017.
• Expand outreach to businesses and other stakeholders in the City.
• Actively pursue additional community leaders in the City to serve on standing Workforce Development Board committees.

“We’re eager to help San Bernardino city residents prepare for job and career opportunities,” Ramos said. “We also recognize that by doing so, we incentivize businesses to expand here, which creates even greater opportunity for the community as a whole.”