REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
May 24, 2022
FROM
BRADLEY GATES, Director, Workforce Development Department
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Application to the California Workforce Development Board for the High Road Training Partnership
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve and authorize submittal of Grant Application to the California Workforce Development Board in the amount of $9,500,000, for the High Road Training Partnership to build on strategies through industry-specific innovation leading to improvements in equity, job quality, and environmental sustainability.
2. Authorize the Director of the Workforce Development Department to execute and submit all grant application and related documents electronically on behalf of San Bernardino County to the California Workforce Development Board for the High Road Training Partnership, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Director of the Workforce Development Department to transmit all documents in relation to this grant application to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Bradley Gates, Director, 387-9856)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Create, Maintain and Grow Jobs and Economic Value in the County.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of any Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The grant application in the amount of $9,500,000 to the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB) for the High Road Training Partnership (HRTP) does not require local matching funds. If approved, acceptance of the grant award and approval of the revenue agreement will be requested as part of a future Item presented to the Board of Supervisors (Board) and included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The CWDB has developed a grant aimed at industry partnerships to improve equity, sustainability, and job quality. The HRTP initiative was designed to address urgent questions of income inequality, economic competitiveness, and climate change through regional skills strategies designed to support economically and environmentally disadvantaged communities. The initiative builds on industry partnerships to train workers with in-demand skills. The industry-based, worker-focused training partnerships build skills for these regional industry employers, allowing for generations of family-supporting jobs where workers will be empowered to have influence and feedback.
CWDB recently announced the availability of up to $65 million for the Fiscal Year 2022 HRTP. Subject to the availability of funding, HRTP will provide funding for a period of three years from the award date.
Recognizing an opportunity to meet County workforce demand, the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Department (WDD) proposal will focus on developing jobs by partnering with industry employers in thriving economic bases in the region such as: energy, healthcare, and the manufacturing, logistics, and transportation cluster. This partnership will enable WDD to build the skills of the workforce to meet the requirements of employers’ current and open positions. Geographical focus will be placed on the Inland Empire, a region of Southern California comprised of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. The Inland Empire is a major transportation and logistics hub with a strong healthcare sector. This regional economic development initiative will engage the business community to build upon the existing workforce system in the region by creating and expanding industry partnerships, creating new capacity for training and developing talent by providing access for training in these key sectors. As a result, job seekers in the community will have improved access to career pathways in multiple industries, leading to employment that pays a living wage.
Pursuant to County Policy 05-13, the submission of the HRTP grant application requires approval by the Board as WDD is seeking to utilize additional staffing not previously budgeted or allocated for program-related activities, either through contract positions or through agreements with one or more partners to hire additional staff. Approval of the application submittal will assist County residents by developing and strengthening regional systems to develop and execute sectoral partnerships that will lead to well-paying jobs by creating a career pathway that enables workers to continue to build on skills and advance in the worker’s career cluster. Notice of Award is expected in August 2022. If awarded, acceptance of the grant award and approval of the resulting revenue agreement will be requested as part of a future item presented to the Board.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Sophie A. Akins, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on April 4, 2022; Finance (Erika Rodarte, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on April 26, 2022; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on April 26, 2022.