TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute contracts with various institutions of higher education in an amount totaling $1,215,000 to provide classroom and skills upgrade training under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in industry-driven demand occupations relevant to Southern California; and to execute any needed subsequent amendments. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Workforce Investment Network (Network) received $6,373,593 in federal Workforce Investment Act funds as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. In anticipation of the ARRA funds, the Workforce Investment Board adopted a framework in February for priority of investment of resources around the residents and businesses most in need of assistance. For its dislocated worker, adult and business assistance grants, worker retraining, skills development, career counseling, and support services continue as key strategies.
The Network has been working closely with employers, education entities, and private trainers to maximize opportunities around worker retraining. Complementing ongoing customized training, individual training referrals, and basic skills development, the Network has collaborated with key institutions of higher education called out in the ARRA legislation to expedite cohort-training opportunities in existing and upcoming career pathway opportunities.
Specifically, the Network extended opportunities to respond to such training opportunities to California State University Long Beach, Long Beach City College, EI Camino College, Long Beach Unified School District's Occupational Skills Center and Los Angeles Unified School District's Harbor Occupational Skills Center. Projects were submitted by four of the institutions, with recommended contracts outlined in the attachment.
This letter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson on October 23,2009 and by Budget and Performance Management Bureau Manager David Wodynski on October 2...
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