To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: Proclaim September 2026 as Workforce Development Month
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT a resolution proclaiming September 2026 as Workforce Development Month in Contra Costa County, as recommended by the Employment and Human Services Director.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
BACKGROUND:
Workforce Development Month is recognized each September to raise awareness of the vital role workforce development plays in strengthening local economies, supporting businesses, and creating pathways to employment and economic mobility. The observance highlights the contributions of workforce professionals, educators, employers, labor organizations, community-based organizations, and public agencies that work together to prepare individuals for quality careers while helping employers meet their talent needs.
The recognition originated through the efforts of the National Association of Workforce Boards, which established Workforce Development Month as a national campaign to celebrate the public workforce system and increase awareness of its impact on workers, businesses, and communities.
For Contra Costa County, Workforce Development Month recognizes the ongoing efforts of the Workforce Development Board and its partners to build a skilled workforce that meets the needs of local employers while expanding access to family-sustaining careers. Through strategic investments in workforce innovation, industry partnerships, youth employment, apprenticeship, reentry services, and sector-based training in fields such as healthcare, construction, transportation, maritime, information technology, and clean energy, the county continues to strengthen economic opportunity for residents and businesses alike.
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 2026 as Workforce Development Month in Contra Costa County:
WHEREAS, Workforce Development Month is a nationwide celebration observed each September to recognize the importance of preparing individuals with the skills, experience, and career pathways needed to succeed in today’s evolving economy while helping employers access the talent they need to grow and thrive; and
WHEREAS, the 25-member Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County (WDBCCC), appointed by the Board of Supervisors, serves as a critical convener and strategic partner, investing in talent development, supporting employers, expanding career pathways, strengthening apprenticeship opportunities, and connecting individuals to employment and training opportunities; and
WHEREAS, during Fiscal Year 2025-2026, WDBCCC served more than 5,770 businesses and provided career services through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs to approximately 23,715 individual visits; 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 economic value, and increased productivity and decreased social assistance costs (National Association of Workforce Development Professionals); and
WHEREAS, the world of work is rapidly evolving due to advances in technology, artificial intelligence, automation, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and changing industry needs, creating both new opportunities and new challenges for workers and employers; and
WHEREAS, Contra Costa County is committed to building a future-ready workforce that is adaptable, innovative, inclusive, and equipped with the skills necessary to succeed in a rapidly changing economy.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors proclaims September 2026 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.