SKILL PANEL REPORT California's Water Industry - Cuyamaca ...

SKILL PANEL REPORT California’s Water Industry7HELP IS AVAILABLE: WORKFORCEDEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONSPanelFindingsIssues• Certified veterans are not getting hired• WIB funded training must conclude in a jobRecommendations• Water industry support of EDD interview skills trainingComments“We’re (EDD) discovering water.We can find grants.”“Our Fresno WIB supports ourCSU cluster.”“We have to report on jobplacement for our grant funding.”A local workforce investment board will assist a skill panel by playing the role ofthe convener who brings the partners to the table, the analyst who researchesand develops labor market data, and the investor who can secure grant fundingfor the partnership. More importantly, they will assist students and job seekers ona career pathway, providing skill assessment, counseling, financial aid and jobplacement.Where did they pick up these skills? They were launched by the WorkforceInvestment Act of 1998 and operate over 3,000 One-Stop Career Centers acrossthe U.S. Because of their combination of on-the-ground resources, they received$3.95 billion through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 toget unemployed Americans back to work.There are 49 local workforce investment boards in California and they haveaccess to Workforce Investment Act Title I training funds and other state andfederal programs. It is best to note in advance that when a workforce investmentboard secures grant funds, it needs to result in job placements.45