The Los Angeles County Workforce Investment Board has a new Workforce Investment System. There are 5 America's Job Centers of California^SM (AJCC), in East Los Angeles, West Covina, SouthGate/Walnut Park, Palmdale and Lancaster. There are also 4 sector based satellites in Pomona (Healthcare, Transportation & Logistics), Santa Monica (Hospitality & Tourism), Florence-Firestone (Healthcare, Transportation & Logistics), Santa Clarita (Bio-Tech/ Med). There is one center in collaboration with the City of Los Angeles Workforce Investment Board in Pacoima/San Fernando. There are also 3 AJCC's that have affiliates; El Monte/Alhambra, Compton/Westmont/Athens, and Norwalk/Paramount. Finally, there are two countywide programs; Rapid Response and Veterans. For more information on the America's Job Centers go to http://www.americasjobcenter.ca.gov/.  For a one page diagram of the LA County's New WIA System click here.

AJCC's are a one-stop shop for workforce services, providing a comprehensive range of no-cost employment and training services for employers and job seekers. Most centers offer information about Unemployment Insurance, Disability Insurance, and Paid Family Leave benefits.

The AJCC's can assist employers in finding and hiring skilled workers. Via CalJOBS^SM, employers can post unlimited job listings, search and screen résumés, and contact potential applicants. Employers can also connect with local resources to provide training programs for their employees, learn about tax credits for their business, and access additional resources, including labor market information.

The AJCC's can assist job seekers in obtaining employment, and strengthening their skill set. Via CalJOBS^SM, job seekers can post résumés, and search and apply for job openings. Many workshops and training classes, such as interview techniques, are available and job seekers can receive career guidance.

There are more than 200 centers throughout the state. Click here to find the America Job Center of California nearest you and learn more about the services they have available, or call the U.S. Department of Labor toll-free helpline at 1-877-US2-JOBS (1-877-872-5627).

Click here to view LAOCRC's Comparable Industry Chart comparing our regions priority and emerging sectors to our 10 Workforce Investment Board Partners.  Click here to view the LAOCRC sub sectors identified by our Deputy Sector Navigators (DSNs). 

Los Angeles Trade Technical College hosted a conference, "Crossroads 2014: Multigenerational Workforce at the Crossroads" in collaboration with the Los Angeles City and County Workfroce Investment Boards and AARP formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons. Kelly Williams presented a funny, on point description of "Generational Differences in the Workplace". Click here for her one page chart of generational differences.

Kathy Booth, WestEd is collecting information on how two policies are impacting Career Technical Education. You have a chance to comment. The two issues are:

1. Repeatability: Many CTE practitioners are reporting that they are being adversely affected by the new repeatability rule because it is crippling training programs that address rapidly-evolving fields. Right now these issues are being treated on a case-by-case basis rather than as part of the larger context of the multiple training pathways offered by CTE programs.
2. Educational planning: Many CTE practitioners are struggling to figure out how short-term course-takers should participate in matriculation, particularly education plan development. There is a perception that one- or two-course sequences won't be considered a comprehensive plan, and so colleges won't get full matriculation funding for these students. Also, some students are discouraged from naming their intention to participate in short-term programs due to concerns about financial aid eligibility. A final concern is students being impacted by not completing education plans, because they go to the back of the line for enrollment priority.   

Do you have any examples of these issues happening on your campus?   

Please send your responses to:

Gustavo Chamorro, Ed.D.

Deputy Sector Navigator

Information & Communication Technologies (ICT)/Digital Media

Chamorro_Gustavo@rsccd.edu 

doingwhatmatters.cccco.edu

www.dmc-works.com

We all have heard the term "stackable credentials" for several years now, but what are the implications for policy and scaling up of stackable credentials? Click here for a 23 page paper that is based on interviews of state officials in Kentucky, Oregon, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

The California Workforce Investment Board and the Employment Development Department are pleased to announce the availability of up to $2.5 million in Workforce Investment Act funds to design, develop, and implement projects that accelerate employment and re-employment strategies for California job seekers. The State Board and EDD will fund projects and partnerships to create and prototype innovative strategies that bridge education and workforce gaps for targeted populations, and initial implementation of promising models and practices in workforce system service delivery infrastructure.

The Workforce Accelerator Fund will make grants for projects accelerate skill development, employment, and reemployment for one or more of the target populations (long-term unemployed, returning veterans, individuals with disabilities, low-income workers, disconnected youth, and ex-offenders).

Workforce Accelerator Fund Goals:

• Improve labor market and skills outcomes for the target groups through the development of strategies that fill gaps, accelerate processes, or customize services to ensure greater access to workforce services and employment opportunities.
• Create new modes for service delivery and funding alignment that can be replicated across the State and tailored to regional needs.
• Leverage State investment with commitments from industry, labor, public, and community partners.
• Eligible applicants for this solicitation include local Workforce Investment Boards, labor organizations, K-12 education entities, community colleges and adult schools, community-based organizations, business-related non-profit organizations, and workforce intermediaries. A for- profit private business or for-profit consortium of businesses can be a partner on the application but cannot be the lead applicant.

 Applications are due June 2, 2014 at 3 p.m. Pacific Time.

For more information on this funding opportunity, please refer to the Solicitation Notice - Workforce Accelerator Fund.

Questions for this RFA may be sent to   Kelly.luong@cwib.ca.govuntil May, 23^rd, 2014. Cumulative questions and answers will be answered during the Application Workshop and will be posted to the State Board's website until the RFA is closed. 

Los Angeles Harbor College is hosting an open house to introduce you to their iCube and experience virtual reality. Registration begins at 12:30.  Click here for the event flyer.

Los Angeles Harbor College 1111 Figueroa Place Wilmington, CA 90744 Technology Building 110. 

RSVP: Vrealityicub.eventbrite.com

The California Community College Association For Occupational Education is looking for a new Managing Director.  Job duties will include creating programs, attending meetings, conducting market research, preparing for Board meetings and retreats and assisting in the development of policies and procedures.

This is a new position for the organization and may be feasible in several forms including but not limited to: independent contract with CCCAOE (minimum 50%, 20hrs per week time commitment); or other arrangement to be proposed by the applicant. The salary range is $55,000-$65,000 with the opportunity to engage in a defined incentive structure to $85,000. Click here  for complete job description.