TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all documents with the State of California for Pacific Gateway to receive an additional $182,123 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to augment the operation of its local Green Jobs Corps; to execute all documents with various initiative partners in an amount totaling $103,000; to execute any needed subsequent amendments; and to increase appropriations by $182,123 in the Community Development Grants Fund (SR 150) in the Human Resources Department (HR). (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Since September 2009, Pacific Gateway has operated its Green Job Corps strategy that creates a bridge for at-risk and out-of-school youth to access necessary education, training, incentives, and support services to qualify for green-industry jobs upon completion of the program. The Green Job Corps is a partnership, linking program activities and resources with educational institutions, community-based/nonprofit agencies, and numerous employers in the region. Those local partners help to create a seamless system of service delivery for participating youth, overseen by the Youth Opportunity Center.
Having acquired work-readiness and relevant occupational skills certifications, participants are well-positioned to compete for related entry- and mid-level green industry jobs. The State initially awarded Pacific Gateway $935,797 through a competitive solicitation to train 125 at-risk youth through March 31, 2011. The project has been fully enrolled; thus far, 120 industry-recognized certifications have been earned; 70 youth dropouts have been returned to school to earn a diploma; and 30 project completers have accepted employment.
Re-allocating funds from other grantees’ Green Job Corps grant projects that are not as fully executed, the State has offered Pacific Gateway an additional $182,123 to augment program services to those currently in training, and to enroll an additional 15 youth through June 30, 2011.
Amen...
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