ORANGE COUNTY

WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD

 2007 - A YEAR IN REVIEW

Workforce Development & Community Services

OCWIB's One-Stop Center system exceeded all performance measures for Adult and Dislocated Worker programs. OCWIB's Youth Programs met or exceeded all program performance measures.

OCWIB received excellent reviews by State and Federal Monitors in 2007. Each review concluded that OCWIB continues to provide quality services and comply with all regulations.

OCWIB successfully completed a Request for Statement of Qualifications procurement process to secure funding for domestic violence shelters. This process was required by a new State Law in 2007.

OCWIB's One-Stop Center system continued working with military personnel at the Joint Forces Training base in Los Alamitos to open a One-Stop Center satellite for Veterans. The employment and training services offered are funded through a special grant received in 2007.

Business Services

OCWIB's Business Services Centers provided business services to over 5,000 Orange County companies in 2007. The Centers assisted over 500 businesses with screening applicants for open positions; helped over 12,500 job seekers find new employment; and hosted 149 job fairs.

OCWIB's Business Services Centers continued to strengthen a reputation as an excellent resource for business by providing seminars on human resource management and labor law throughout the year.

OCWIB partnered with the Orange County Business Council in the release of the State of the County � Workforce 2007 Report. The report was presented at the annual conference for the business, education and training community in September.  

New Resources

OCWIB received $300,000 in grant funds for the Career Adventure Project (CAP). CAP is a free and comprehensive program for foster, emancipating and emancipated youth ages 16-21 to prepare them to enter post-secondary educational programs, apprenticeships, career technical training or employment in high wage/high growth occupations. CAP provides focused guidance and support for participants to successfully improve their academic skills, and attain the problem solving and critical thinking abilities necessary to enter career pathways.

OCWIB received award of a $1 million grant from the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency's (LWDA) Employment Development Department (EDD). The Orange County Workforce Investment Board (OCWIB) will assist more than 200 Orange County workers in the mortgage and finance industries that have lost their jobs. These individuals will receive training and job placement services through the One-Stop Centers.

OCWIB received award of $873,088 (with a potential of up to $2,040,000) for a National Emergency Grant which will provide funding in response to the Southern California wildfires that started on October 21, 2007. The project provides for temporary workers to assist with local clean-up and restoration efforts.

OCWIB received a Regional Incentive Grant of $40,000 to produce an �Industry Summit Series�. An innovative collaboration between the Orange County, Anaheim, and Santa Ana Workforce Investment Boards will produce four separate industry-focused Summits. The Industries highlighted will be the Healthcare Industry; Computer Science Industry, and the Energy/ Environmental Industry. The Orange County Workforce Summit and Conference will be a culmination of the other Summits with a multiple industry cluster focus.

OCWIB submitted two Community Based Job Training Grant proposals to the U.S. Department of Labor. Both proposals focus on capacity building at the community colleges to train new and incumbent workers. One proposal is for the allied health industry, and the second proposal focuses on advanced manufacturing. Each grant proposal is for approximately $1.3 million. Award is anticipated in early 2008.

OCWIB also submitted for a grant award of $2.5 million National Emergency Grant. Orange County was so dramatically affected by the Subprime crisis the the OCWIB has partnered with the State to apply to the Department of Labor for additional special funding. This funding would be in addition to other funding received directly from the State.

OCWIB submitted a grant application to the State under the Veterans Employment-Related Assistance Program (VEAP) for $500,000. This potential to provide comprehensive employment services to recently separated Veterans. The services will be provided through the new One-Stop satellite located at the Los Alamitos base.  

Innovations

OCWIB continued to offer expert data management services to community partners. OCWIB currently provides services to Nursing Expansion � Innovation grant for Rancho Santiago Community College and Golden West Community College. Additional partnerships are planned for 2008.

OCWIB released the One-Stop Center and Business Services request for proposals (RFP) on December 13, 2007. The successful bidder(s) will be selected by the OCWIB and the awarded funding by the Orange County Board of Supervisors in April 2008.

OCWIB hosted a workshop at the California Tech 100 Event Forum, sponsored by the California Space Authority. The purpose of the workshop was to specifically connect the Workforce Investment System with local economic development.

OCWIB partnered with Community Colleges to allow short-term certificate programs offered through continuing education centers. These opportunities will offset the funding One-Stop funding reductions for vocational and technical training. In addition, preparations are underway to add �earn while you learn� apprenticeship programs for One-Stop clients.

OCWIB received an Outstanding Partnership Award from University of California, Irvine along with Beckman Coulter, Edwards Lifesciences, and Advanced Medical Optics. The award recognized the collaboration on the Biotechnology Project for incumbent workers. To date, nearly 80% of trained workers have received pay raises, promotions or other career advancements.

OCWIB Youth Council collaborated with multi-disciplinary youth service professionals from all of the Southern California counties and chaired the Regional Planning Team for the Seventh Annual California Workforce Association's Youth Conference on or other types of income support, and 3) individuals who are long-term unemployed. Priority should be given to workers in the first category.

Economic Development

OCWIB completed an Innovation Asset Inventory with the assistance of Orange County Business Council. The Inventory was part of a project funded by the U.S. Department of Labor's �WIRED� initiative (Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development). WIRED is a project in partnership with the California Space Authority (CSA).

OCWIB continues to act as the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) committee for Orange County. When needed, the OCWIB reviews Orange County projects that wish to compete for the U.S. Department of Commerce's EDA grant funds and acts as a facilitator and technical resource for project proponents. The OCWIB helps promising economic development projects become more competitive. Since 1997, projects from Orange County have successfully competed for a total of $9.8 million in economic development grant funds.

OCWIB issued the Labor Market Information/Economic Development Request for Proposal (RFP). The selected bidder is slated to be considered for funding by the Orange County Board of Supervisors in January 2008. In addition to the Annual Workforce Report, the funded organization will assist the OCWIB in the development of a County wide economic development strategy and recommendations. The Orange County Board of Supervisors approved an allocation of $100,000 to support the effort.

OCWIB hosted the Annual Meeting for the OCWIB's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). Wil Marshall, Regional Representative of the Economic Development Administration (EDA) discussed changes in the EDA legislation affecting the CEDS. The meeting was held at the Digital Media Center�a past recipient of CEDS-EDA funds.