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"Right now, three-quarters of the fastest-growing occupations require more than a high school diploma, and yet just over half of our citizens have that level of education... So tonight I ask every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training. This can be a community college or a four-year school, vocational training or an apprenticeship. But whatever the training may be, every American will need to get more than a high school diploma."Capitol Briefing Matches Green Jobs Rhetoric with Reality (and Opportunity)
Local, state, and federal governments have pinned a lot of hopes on the "green economy" as the next engine for innovation and growth. But what are realistic expectations for green job growth? And how can we best upgrade the skills of Californians for this emerging sector?
On March 26, EDGE and a diverse group of co-sponsors presented a briefing inside the Capitol to provide nearly 50 top legislative and agency staffers with answers to these questions. During the briefing, titled "Building a Strong, Inclusive Green Economy in California," expert speakers presented new data on the job creation potential of the green economy and model training programs.
Now you can share this inside information! Click here to listen to recordings of the speakers, review key information from the briefing, and download presentations and fact sheets.
Follow the (Stimulus) Money
Economic recovery and the federal stimulus continue to be the leading topics of discussion in Sacramento and in the workforce development world. Below are some updates and resources on these subjects that may be informative:
- The EDGE Campaign is participating in the California Green Stimulus Coalition, an alliance of dozens of organizations advocating for investments that advance California's long term environmental goals; create high-quality jobs; lead to high-road economic development; and provide for truly shared prosperity. See the Coalition's website and principles.
- The California Energy Commission, California Public Utilities Commission, and Community Services and Development Department will each oversee tens of millions of new dollars for energy-related workforce training from the federal stimulus and state programs. There are several workshops around the state over the next several weeks to provide information about grant guidelines and gather input. Check the websites linked above for more details.
- "Enhancing Recovery Act Training Provisions through State WIA Plan Modifications" - The Workforce Alliance
- "Using Increased Funding under the Workforce Investment Act to Create Multiple Pathways to Marketable Postsecondary Credentials and Middle-Class Employment" [PDF] - CLASP
- Webinar recording: "The Federal Stimulus Package and Its Implications for Low-Income Californians" - Foundation Center
- BackToWork.org - California Workforce Association
- California Economic Recovery-WIA and WP Act Programs Web Site - California Employment Development Dept.
State Launches Health Training Initiative
On April 13, Gov. Schwarzenegger announced a new $32 million Allied Health Initiative to train more workers for the health care sector. $32 million in public and private funds will be dedicated to expanding educational capacity for careers like imaging specialist, lab technician, and respiratory therapist - professions that are in demand despite the recession.
28 community colleges have already been awarded grants for the fall semester, and a Request for Application for the next phase has been released. The CSU Chancellor has also issued a Request for Proposals for programs in that system. The Allied Health Initiative is intended to last for three years.
EDGE Welcomes Interim Exec. Dir.
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The California EDGE Campaign is pleased to welcome Susan Rosenthal, MPA, MSW, as our new Interim Executive Director!
Susan has an extensive background in workforce education and training as well as state policy. She has developed educational partnerships, training programs, career ladders programs, and labor-management partnerships, most recently with Kaiser Permanente. She also has experience with the State Legislature and in the labor movement. See Susan's bio here [PDF document]. EDGE Executive Director Sharon Huntsman will be on maternity leave through the end of June. Please join us in wishing Sharon and her husband Bill congratulations on their impending new arrival! What the Stimulus Means for California
Learning About State Sector Strategies
While many WIBs, community colleges, labor/management partnerships and community organizations in California have effectively worked in industry sectors for years, there is little state funding or policy in California to encourage and support this kind of collaboration at the regional level. Speakers and table discussions at the learning session explored the application of sector strategies in other states and how state-level sector strategies could be used in California. EDGE will continue to work with the CWIB, local leaders, and others to develop more awareness of the effectiveness of state-level support for regional sector strategies. Click here for more information about the learning session, including presentations and other related documents. Hear the Business Perspective on California's Skills Shortages
During the July 31 Salon, national workforce experts presented their findings from extensive interviews about recruitment and training with nearly 50 state business leaders. The participants then heard directly from two regional business executives about their own difficulties finding skilled workers and the innovative investments that they have made to overcome these problems. Click here to watch a video of the Salon and learn more! The California EDGE* Campaign is a nonprofit coalition of major employers, educators, regional workforce development leaders, labor, and industry associations working together to propose sound policy that will prepare Californians for the high-wage, skilled jobs that will drive our state’s economic recovery. * EDGE is an acronym for "Education, Diversity, and Growth in the Economy" The campaign is endorsed by:
Endorsements as of March 6, 2009 |
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With thanks to the following funders: |