To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: Proclaim September 2024 as Workforce Development Month
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT a resolution declaring September 2024 as Workforce Development Month.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There will be no fiscal impact for this action.
BACKGROUND:
Created in 2005 by the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP), Workforce Development Month raises awareness about the importance of the workforce industry to a growing national economy. Originally celebrated in May, NAWDP moved the designation to September in 2012.
The highly skilled workforce development professionals at the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County (WDBCCC) provide critical links in our community between businesses looking to hire jobseekers, and education, training and support resources. WDBCCC’s programs bring value and services to our community members and support our local economy.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
None.
CHILDREN’S IMPACT STATEMENT
This resolution supports all five of Contra Costa County’s community outcomes of the Children’s Report Card: (1) “Children Ready for and Succeeding in School”; (2) “Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood”; (3) “Families that are Economically Self-Sufficient”; (4) “Families that are Safe, Stable, and Nurturing”; and (5) “Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families.”
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
IN THE MATTER OF proclaiming September 2024 as Workforce Development Month in Contra Costa County
WHEREAS, Workforce Development Month is a nationwide celebration in September to showcase the opportunities that Workforce Development offers for Americans to develop workplace experience and skills that employers value; and
WHEREAS, Workforce Development Month is a time to recognize, honor, and promote the contributions of our nation’s workforce professionals; and
WHEREAS, the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County (WDBCCC), part of the Employment and Human Services Department, aims to achieve equitable economic growth for our region; and
WHEREAS, during Fiscal Year 2023-24, WDBCCC served more than 2,295 businesses and approximately 6,024 individuals, of whom 5,384 received basic career services, and 1,040 received individualized career services through Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs; and
WHEREAS, ensuring a steady pipeline of diverse workforce talent to help keep local companies competitive while creating upward economic mobility and security for Contra Costa workers is critically important during a time when many communities across the country face economic challenges; and
WHEREAS, workforce development stands as a powerful driver of economic progress; for every dollar invested in workforce development programs, there is an estimated return of $4.41 in increased productivity and decreased social assistance costs (National Association of Workforce Development Professionals); and
WHEREAS, there are 6.1 million unemployed Americans, yet employers across the country report that they struggle to find qualified workers to fill the 8.1 million current job openings; and
WHEREAS, workforce development professionals help connect employers with jobseekers and jobseekers with training resources to bridge the gap between unemployment and job openings; and
WHEREAS, workforce development and job training programs, services, strategic connections, and partnerships that the WDBCCC uses to solve complex workforce issues and leverage public-private resources to contribute to our region's economic competitiveness ultimately improve the quality of life for all who live in Contra Costa County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors proclaims September 2024 as Workforce Development Month in Contra Costa County to honor all individuals in Workforce Development organizations and partnerships that play such a vital role in strengthening our economy.