TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all documents and any needed subsequent amendments with the State of California to accept Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds totaling $5,800,220; and authorize City Manager or his designee to execute agreements and amendments with necessary WIA training provider vendors. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
In alignment with federal appropriation of Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds to the State, the Governor's Labor and Workforce Development Agency has notified the City of its local share of funds to administer the Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network (Pacific Gateway) for the Program Year beginning July 1, 2014. The WIA grants are provided to implement development strategies in the local workforce area consisting of Lomita, Long Beach, Signal Hill, and Torrance, and will enable Pacific Gateway to provide an extensive array of services to residents and businesses.
Employment services for residents will continue to be facilitated through the Career Transition Center and the Torrance Career Center. Youth services will be facilitated through the Youth Opportunity Center and through several community-based service providers. Business services are integrated into each career center.
Allocation Breakdown for Program Year 2014-2015 Services
§ Adults/Business Services $1,899,417
§ Dislocated Workers/Business Services $1,611,354
§ Business Downsizing and Layoff Aversion $ 245,000 (estimated)
§ Youth/Business Services $2,044,449
TOTAL GRANTS $5,800,220
One key strategy will be Pacific Gateway's use of the resources to provide vocational and skills development training to residents who are unemployed or under-employed. That training comes in the form of customized and on-the-job training developed and negotiated between the local business and Pacific Gateway, or can occur through more traditional classroom-based training. For the latter, the State maintains a master
database of approved training institutions and programs through the California Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL). To ensure that local skill training investments lead to employment, clients accessing training services choose from the State-approved vendors on the ETPL, utilizing Pacific Gateway's labor market information, its industry partnerships, and one-on-one staff assistance in interpreting employment trends.
Based on actual client usage of the hundreds of local ETPL vendors, Pacific Gateway reimburses training providers for services at pre-determined rates ranging from $300 to $8,500 for vocational and skills development completion. Prior approvals from City Council authorized the City Manager or designee to execute required non-financial master Education Agreements with each training provider, as well as the required purchasing documents to reimburse the ETPL training providers - consistent with federal WIA regulations, and with the State's ETPL Policy and Guidance. Continued approval for these actions is requested.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary Anderson and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on May 2, 2014.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on May 20, 2014, in order to facilitate processing of required documents.
FISCAL IMPACT
The WIA funding is currently budgeted in the Community Development Grants Fund (SR 150) in the Department of Human Resources (HR). The grant does not require matching funds or in-kind services. Approval of this recommendation will result in employment preparation, placement, and retention services to several thousand residents.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
DEBORAH R. MILLS
DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER