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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."EDGE Op-Ed Featured in SF Chronicle
On Sunday, Nov. 15, the San Francisco Chronicle featured an op-ed essay on the cover of its "Insight" section from the EDGE Campaign about the need to protect and expand career technical education and training in California. The op-ed was signed by the top executives at PolicyLink, the California Labor Federation, and the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, and included photos from La Programa en Carpinteria Fina at Laney College in Oakland. It makes the case that California desperately needs to boost investment in high-quality training and partnerships and links to the recent report "California's Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs," which calls for the state to ensure every California worker has access to the equivalent of up to two years of education or training past high school.
Read the op-ed on SFGate.com or as a PDF file.
Accompanying the op-ed is a diverse list of selected Bay Area skills training programs that offer workers and those with barriers to employment bridges to middle-skill jobs and middle-class careers. The list was abridged for print; you can find information about other programs on the Chronicle Editorial Board's blog page.
This essay is one outcome of building collaborative relationships and shared policy goals over several years within the EDGE coalition. Thanks to all who have participated in that work!
California's "Forgotten" Jobs Offer Economic Opportunity and Recovery - If We Train for Them
As California recovers from the recent deep recession, 2.7 million job openings that will require more training than a high school diploma but not necessarily a Bachelor's degree are projected to be needed in California. However, shortages of trained workers in some of these industries will slow recovery and growth in the near future unless the state prioritizes investment and alignment of resources in training and education for these in-demand occupations.
A new report, entitled "California's Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs," reveals that "middle-skill jobs" as defined above account for the largest share of California labor force today (49 percent) and are projected to continue to do so in the future. These positions - including highly skilled, technical, and high-wage occupations such as fire fighters, electricians, medical technicians, and mechanics - offer California workers a chance at economic security and prosperity, if they have access to appropriate education and training.
Therefore, every California worker should have access to the equivalent of up to two years of education or training past high school - leading to a vocational credential, industry certification, or one's first two years of college. Every person must also have access to the basic skills needed to pursue such education. This guarantee of access must also address the needs of communities of color and those who have barriers to success.
Read "California's Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs" and learn more about the campaign at http://www.nationalskillscoalition.org/states/state-coalitions/california/.
EDGE Executive Committee Welcomes New Members
The California EDGE Campaign is pleased to announce that five California leaders representing diverse communities recently agreed to join the EDGE Executive Committee, strengthening the role of industry employers, social justice advocates, and labor organizations within our coalition. The continuing Executive Committee members, coalition members, and staff are excited about adding the expertise, passion, and perspectives of these volunteers to our leadership discussions.
Full Executive Committee Membership:
- Barbara Baran, Senior Fellow, California Budget Project
- Gail Blanchard-Saiger, Vice President of Labor and Employment, California Hospital Association*
- Linda Collins, Executive Director, Career Ladders Project of the Foundation for California Community Colleges
- Cesar Diaz, Deputy Legislative Director, State Building and Construction Trades Council*
- Ian Kim, Green-Collar Jobs Campaign Director, Ella Baker Center*
- Virginia Hamilton, Executive Director, California Workforce Association
- Scott Lay, President/CEO, Community College League of California
- Ruben Lizardo, Associate Director, PolicyLink*
- Tim Rainey, Director of Workforce and Economic Development Program, California Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO
- Willie Washington, Policy Director, California Manufacturing and Technology Association*
Nov. Conference "Reaches for Change" with Sector Initiatves
The 2009 National Network of Sector Partners National Conference
is an exciting event for those interested in regional, industry-focused approaches to workforce and economic development. The conference brings together sector initiative leaders, policy-makers, researchers, business, labor, and others interested in promoting economic vitality and opportunity for workshops, plenaries, site visits, industry-specific convenings, and the chance to compare notes.
Rooted in Success, Reaching for Change
2009 NNSP National Conference
November 10-13
Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, DC
Information and registration
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.
What the Stimulus Means for California
| The $787 billion federal stimulus bill will bring a significant infusion of money into California's infrastructure, energy and energy efficiency, and workforce systems. Now, attention is turning to understanding how the monies will be disbursed and how to ramp up effective programs quickly. Three national EDGE partners have made available analyses of the funding that will come to California to support workforce education and training and low-income families: |  |
- The Workforce Alliance has developed a summary of key workforce provisions included in the final bill, as well as a side-by-side analysis comparing the final bill with the House- and Senate-passed bills. Both are available here.
- The Working Poor Families Project has forwarded two documents prepared by Congress and the White House (but not available online). The first chart (Excel spreadsheet) breaks out the funding that was allocated to each state for support of low-income families, by program. The second chart (PDF) estimates the benefits of the plan to each state in numbers of people receiving additional services and dollar amounts.
- Green for All and PolicyLink recorded a podcast, "Bringing Home the Green Economy," outlining key environmental and green-jobs provisions in the stimulus. Green for All has also prepared other resources, including a toolkit of local actions for a "Green Recovery."
Learning About State Sector Strategies
| On October 29, EDGE co-sponsored a Learning Session on Sector Strategies with the California Workforce Investment Board (CWIB) in Sacramento. More than 80 leaders participated in the day-long session - including CWIB members, state officials, legislative staff, and local workforce board members - to learn about how states can support focused, comprehensive initiatives at the regional level. |  |
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.
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:
- Alameda County Office of Education
- Alameda County Workforce Investment Board
- Allan Hancock College
- Alliance Worknet of Stanislaus County
- American Composites Manufacturers Association
- Anaheim Workforce Investment Board
- Appian Engineering, Inc.
- Bay Area Council
- Bay Area Council Economic Institute
- Big Brown Eyes Productions
- The Boeing Company
- California Association for Microenterprise Opportunity (CAMEO)
- California Budget Project
- California Coalition for Construction in the Classroom
- California Commission for Economic Development
- California Council for Adult Education
- California Labor Federation AFL-CIO
- California Manufacturing and Technology Association
- California Science Education Initiative
- California Space Authority
- California Space Education & Workforce Institute
- California Transportation & Logistics Institute
- California Workforce Association
- Calloway & Associates
- Career Ladders Project
- CathedralFinancial Group, Inc.
- Center for Continuing Study of the California Economy
- Center for Employment Training
- Central Valley Asian-American Chamber of Commerce
- Central Valley Opportunity Center
- Cerritos College
- Chabot-Las Positas Community College District
- Children and Family Futures
- City of Hayward
- City of Sunnyvale
- City of Watsonville
- Colton Joint Unified School District
- Community College League of California
- Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley
- Economic Development Administration of San Joaquin
- El Monte/South El Monte Chamber of Commerce
- The Entertainment Economy Institute
- Fast Future
- Financial Statement Services, Inc.
- Foothill-De Anza Community College District
- Foothill Workforce Investment Board
- Gateway Cities Partnership, Inc.
- Greater Long Beach Workforce Development Board
- Golden Sierra Workforce Investment Board
- Golden Valley Health Centers
- Goodwill Industries of San Francisco
- Hacienda La Puente Adult Education
- Human Services Agency
- Information Technology Consortium
- Insight Center for Community Economic Development (formerly NEDLC)
- International Association of Nanotechnology
- Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California
- Jewish Vocational Service
- Job Impact!
- Kaiser Permanente
- Kelly Space & Technology, Inc.
- Kern, Inyo, Mono Workforce Investment Board
- KP Consulting
- LA Works
- Latino Coalition for a Healthy California
- Literacy Network of Greater Los Angeles
- Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
- Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation
- Los Angeles Health Care Workforce Development Program
- Madera County Workforce Investment Board
- Marin Employment Connection
- Mendocino County Workforce Investment Board
- Merced Adult School
- Merced County Workforce Investment Board
- Monterey County Business Council
- Mother Lode Job Training
- Mt. San Antonio College
- Napa Workforce Investment Board
- National Association of Working Seniors
- New Ways to Work
- Next 10
- North Bay Veterans Resource Centers
- North Central Counties Consortium
- NOVA Workforce Board
- Pacific Gas & Electric Co.
- Palomar College
- PolicyLink
- Private Industry Council of San Luis Obispo
- Project HIRED
- Riverside County Workforce Development Board
- Scaramento City College
- Sacramento Works, Inc.
- San Bernardino County WIB
- San Diego Workforce Investment Board
- San Diego Workforce Partnership
- San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
- San Francisco Center for Economic Development
- San Joaquin County Worknet
- San Mateo Community College District
- Santa Ana Workforce Investment Board
- Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce and Convention-Visitors Bureau
- Santa Cruz County Workforce Investment Board
- Santa Monica City College
- Say it Better Center LLC
- SEIU Local 1877, Building Skills Partnership
- SFWorks
- Skyline College
- Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce Investment Board
- Southern California Indian Center
- Sonoma County Human Services Department / WIB
- Sonoma Valley Adult School
- South Bay Workforce Investment Board
- South Hayward United Methodist Church
- State Building and Construction Trades Council of California
- State Center Community College District
- Tinetti Realty Group
- Tulare County Workforce Investment Board, Inc.
- United Way of Greater Los Angeles
- Valley Industry & Commerce Association (VICA)
- Verdugo Workforce Investment Board
- West Los Angeles College
- Western Hardware Company
- Westside Economic Collaborative
- The Workforce Alliance
- Workforce Investment Board of Imperial County
- Women At Work
- Women's Initiative for Self Employment
- work2future
- Worker Education & Resource Center, Inc.
- Workforce and Economic Development Program, California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO
- Workforce Investment Board of Humboldt County
- Workforce Investment Board of Imperial County
- Workforce Investment Board of Marin County
- Workforce Investment Board of Solano County
Endorsements as of March 6, 2009
