TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all documents with the City of Los Angeles to receive $200,000 in Workforce Investment Act funds for a Health Sector Training Project; execute agreements with various initiative partner providers in an amount totaling $192,000; increase appropriations in the Community Development Grants Fund (SR 150) in the Department of Human Resources (HR) by $192,000; and execute any subsequent amendments as necessary. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Pacific Gateway administers job training programs and business services delivered by the Career Transition Center, Harbor WorkSource Center, Torrance Career Center, and selected community-based organizations to assist local residents in acquiring skills leading to employment in high demand occupations by local employers.
Local job opportunities in demand occupations are largely addressed through industry sector strategies that link together business needs, local workforce skills gaps, and training strategies. Our local Workforce Investment Board (WIB) continues its priority focus on jobs strategies in nine key sectors, of which Healthcare is primary.
Pacific Gateway has collaborated with Long Beach Memorial Medical Center/Miller Children's Hospital Long Beach (LBMMC/MCHLB) to design, develop, and implement a multi-occupation training program to meet existing and emergent workforce needs at the hospital and other medical centers in the region. This includes a customized training program for Patient Care Assistants (PCA), in which Pacific Gateway and LBMMC/MCHLB jointly share initial training costs, Phlebotomy, and Sterile Department Technician training. Each participant will complete a 7-12 week program of combined classroom and clinical training. Every eligible participant who completes the training activities is offered fulltime-equivalent employment, with an average starting hourly wage of $15.12 with benefits.
In August 2011, Pacific Gateway submitted a grant request to the City of Los Angeles WIB seeking funds to support this program that would train approximately 111 individuals in three allied healthcare occupations. Of the 12 applications received by the City of Los Angeles WIB, they opted to fund two projects; Pacific Gateway was approved for $200,000 in support of its strategy.
Agreements for services through this Project are requested as follows:
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson on April 18, 2012 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on April 24, 2012.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on May 8, 2012, in order to facilitate processing of required documents.
FISCAL IMPACT
The receipt of grant funds is not currently budgeted, with the exception of $8,000. Therefore, an appropriation increase of $192,000 in the Community Development Grants Fund (SR 150) in the Human Resources Department (HR) is requested for Fiscal Year 2012 (FY 12) as part of the recommended action. There is no impact to the General Fund. Approval of this recommendation will result in job creation and placement of approximately 111 new positions, with skills and salary upgrades for another 80 incumbent workers.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
DEBORAH MILLS
DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER