Above, from left: Bradley Gates, Interim Director of the Workforce Development Department; WDB 2nd Vice Chair B.J. Patterson; WDB Vice Chair Will Sterling; WDB Chair Phil Cothran; Curt Hagman, Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors; Congressman Pete Aguilar; and Diana Alexander, County Assistant Executive Officer
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In addition to the new East Valley center, WDB operates AJCCs in the West Valley – 9650 9th St., Suite A, Rancho Cucamonga – and the High Desert – 17310 Bear Valley Road, Suite 109, Victorville.
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County’s new East Valley job center open for business in San Bernardino |
WDB unveiled its newest job center on December 17th in the heart of the county’s vibrant East Valley, providing greater access to resources, technology and support services for thousands of job seekers and employers.
The 24,000-square-foot facility, at 508 Inland Center Drive, San Bernardino, is one of three America’s Job Centers of California (AJCCs) managed by WDB across the county. It offers approximately 50% more space than the previous East Valley AJCC location, including six training classrooms and a large resource room with enhanced technology for individuals looking for new employment or career opportunities.
“Our Workforce Development Department is, quite simply, one of the best there is when it comes to preparing job seekers for 21st-century career opportunities,” said Curt Hagman, Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors. “With this wonderful new facility, we’re confident that you will be able to do an even better job of fulfilling your mission – and in the process, help to build a stronger economy and a stronger county.”
Said Leonard X. Hernandez, San Bernardino County Chief Executive Officer, “The location is outstanding, and will provide greater access than ever for individuals who are looking for a job or would like to advance their careers. In the process, we’re able to support business growth, attract more jobs and provide a pathway toward even greater countywide prosperity.”
CHECK OUT OUR OPEN HOUSE VIDEO BELOW
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Latest Labor Market Intelligence Report |
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County’s unemployment rate drops again – to new 18-month low of 5.5% |
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San Bernardino County’s unemployment rate dropped nearly a full percentage point in November, to its lowest level since before the pandemic, as payrolls swelled by more than 13,000 workers, according to the latest data from the California Employment Development Department (EDD).
Joblessness fell from 6.3% in October to 5.5% last month, led by a continued surge in hiring among companies serving the supply chain and the hospitality industry. The 938,800 filled jobs were the most since February 2020, when total payrolls in the county exceeded 945,000.
The EDD data show that San Bernardino County has recaptured 96% of the jobs lost during the early months of the COVID downturn – one of the fastest recovery rates in California.
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Helping businesses find the right people |
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Phil Cothran, Chair
San Bernardino County WDB
Businesses are only as successful as their people – especially now, in a tight labor market.
At WDB, we understand that. the majority of our 19 board members are business owners and CEOs themselves, and know how important it is to surround yourselves with the right people.
We also understand the unique opportunity that is in front of us as a County and a region – as a global supply chain hub and an emerging innovation leader in industries such as health care, transportation, advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity. As recent studies and forecasts have shown, we have become the economic and workforce engine for Southern California.
It’s why we at WDB put so much emphasis on the programs and support offered by our superb Business Services team – On-The-Job Training, labor market intelligence, free virtual seminars on running a business and managing a workforce in today’s market.
In addition, our Business Services team meets regularly with business owners – to better understand their needs and help us tailor our programs and services. And we have engaged six Chambers of Commerce to help us reach more of the business community, and as a result of that are expecting to find thousands more jobs for our system.
For more on these services, please click here. And, as always, thank you for letting us be part of your world. |
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5 lessons learned from employing a second-chance workforce |
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Jeff Baldassari, CEO, U.S. Rubber Recycling Inc. |
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When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, business surged at U.S. Rubber Recycling Inc. in Colton. To keep up with demand, the company has managed to hire 40 people since then – in spite of a tight labor market – thanks in large part to its Bounce Back! program and its ongoing partnership with the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board. The program provides jobs for formerly incarcerated individuals, with support from WDB and the state’s Prison2Employment initiative. In this article, U.S. Rubber CEO Jeff Baldassari talks through the lessons learned from employing a second-chance workforce.
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I was 14 years old. My dad had the contract for concessions at the newly built Seaport Village in Long Beach. In addition to filling vending machines while drinking the Pepsi and eating candy, I got to sell hot dogs. My dad bought a hot dog cart from New York. We boiled the dogs like in New York. The name of the business was Sailor Boy. That’s right, I got to dress like a sailor…bell bottom Levi’s, blue denim shirt, and a goofy looking sailor cap. They said I was eating all the profits. My favorite was Gulden’s mustard, sauerkraut and relish. |
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WDB hosts free virtual seminars throughout the week to help job seekers on topics such as interviewing skills, resume building and navigating the employment resources available during the pandemic. If you know of anyone who could use this valuable assistance, a calendar of upcoming sessions is available here.
In the meantime, here are some upcoming events and release dates.
Friday, January 21: California EDD releases its December jobs report.
Friday, February 4: Bureau of Labor Statistics releases January U.S. jobs report.
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For archived videos of our free Business Services webinars, such as this one on hiring right the first time, click here.
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Click here to catch up on past editions of Workforce Update, WDB’s monthly e-newsletter and labor market intelligence report.
If you know others who would like to receive this timely and important information, please invite them to join our mailing list at info.workforce@wdd.sbcounty.gov.
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