Economic Development
Workforce Development Plan
“In order to ensure the best future possible for our City and our nation, we must make a serious, sustained investment in recruiting, training and deploying a skilled workforce that earns higher wages and keeps this country riding high in the economy of tomorrow.” Mayor Villaraigosa at the opening of the new Hollywood WorkSource Center 10/17/2007.
To achieve the result of placing 100,000 L.A. area residents into living wage jobs, the Mayor’s Workforce Development Plan utilizes six separate strategies. The Mayor has directed his Workforce Investment Board and Community Development Department to coordinate with other departments and help manage the City’s Workforce Development Plan.
Strategy #1: Develop Sector Based Training Programs
To date, $10 million in funding from various sources has created or expanded training programs in logistics and goods movement, construction, and healthcare. New programs in hospitality, utilities, and financial services are also underway. Over 4,000 Angelenos will be trained under Strategy #1 by 2010.
One example: El Proyecto Del Barrio in Sun Valley and its partners are operating a Logistics/Truck Driver Training Program. To date, over 100 truck drivers have been trained for jobs paying between $17 and $22 per hour with full medical benefits.
Strategy #2: Strengthen the Region's Workforce Development System
Mayor Villaraigosa has been relentless in encouraging City departments to work more closely together and in partnerships with education, business, labor, philanthropic organizations and government agencies to get results for the people of Los Angeles. The new Regional Workforce Development System is an example of the Mayor’s joined-up approach. Representatives from all these entities have agreed to meet monthly to tackle the issues of alignment and integration of programs, services and funding. More than 67,000 Angelenos will benefit from Strategy #2 by 2010.
One example: The Hollywood WorkSource Center has been relocated on the campus of Los Angeles City College. This co-location provides a single point of access to a larger network of education, training and job opportunities for students and job seekers.
Strategy #3: Leverage Public Sector Hiring and Contracting
This strategy expands the City’s hiring, purchasing, economic investment, and contracting powers to create living wage job opportunities for Angelenos. Using local hire agreements and first source strategies, approximately 8,800 individuals will be served under Strategy #3 by 2010.
Strategy #4: Connecting Young People to Jobs
This strategy is closest to Mayor Villaraigosa’s heart. Several times he has quoted the Home Boys Industries by stating, “The best way to dodge a bullet is with a job”. At least three programs will help achieve the goal of connecting 15,000 youth to jobs in 2008; OneSource Youth Opportunity Network, Hire LA’s Youth, and Hire LA’s Youth 18-24.
Hire LA’s Youth 18-24 secures hiring pledges from private sector employers for placing youth in entry-level positions throughout Los Angeles. Job seekers ages 18-24 must interview for these jobs. They are prepared to compete through job skills workshops conducted by the LA Area Chamber of Commerce that leads to a “Work Readiness Certificate”.
Learn and Earn keeps young people preparing to pass the high school exit exam by incentivizing their summer school work in the morning with a job in the afternoon.
Hire LA’s Youth, our basic, subsidized Summer Youth Employment Program, provides work experiences to youth who have never held a job before.
OneSource Youth Opportunity Network – These centers and their partner agencies help at-risk youth stay in school, prepare for the world of work, and explore careers and further education. Youth are provided work experience and ultimately helped to enter secondary education or get a permanent job.
Employers are key to the Hire LA Youth initiative. If you would like more information please see http://www.hirelayouth.com
Strategy #5 - Transition Workers from Low Wage Jobs into Living Wage Jobs
Recent studies have shown that nearly one-quarter of LA workers had jobs paying less than a living wage. These workers cannot afford basic necessities, lack good benefits and have little hope of entering the middle class.
In order to address this challenge head-on, the Mayor is working with partners at the Port of Los Angeles, the LA World Airports, the Department of Water and Power and other agencies to ensure that the public sector takes the lead in moving workers from low wage to living wage jobs.
Strategy #6 - Create Living Wage Jobs Through Economic Development
The City will provide direct and indirect financing, technical assistance and tax incentives to businesses that offer living wage jobs. In addition, the Mayor’s Office will expand the Los Angeles Business Assistance Program to help entrepreneurs and small businesses grow into viable and profitable companies which create new jobs and hire local residents.
Through his efforts to promote major redevelopment projects like LA Live, the Grand Avenue Project and NBC Universal, the Mayor is working to ensure that projects generating the greatest revenue and the most excitement also create middle class jobs.