WORKING PARTNERSHIP
Tracie Scott-Contreras, Executive Director of the Workforce Development Board of Madera County, sees a huge need for more skilled workers. PHOTO BY CLAIRE TAKAHASHI
Workforce development and adult schools team up to promote job readiness B Y G A I L A L LY N S H O R T
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energy careers and are beginning to look at occupations in oday, many job sectors are experiencing worker water systems,” she says. shortages. But filling those open positions means “Many adult schools offer unique and targeted workers must have the education needed to qualify vocational and career tech education opportunities and for those jobs. most of them come at little or no cost to the students,” In fact, two-thirds of jobs in the next 10 to 20 years she adds. will require some level of post-secondary training, says The board works with adult schools in three primary Tracie Scott-Contreras, Executive Director of the Workforce areas: First, it refers English-language learners to adult Development Board of Madera County. schools for ESL instruction, so they will be more The Workforce Development Board works marketable and competitive in the labor with community partners to make sure market, she says. local businesses have the talent Second, it connects individuals pipeline to meet their needs now lacking a high school diploma to and in the future. the adult schools’ high school Among those partners are diploma and high school adult schools. They offer equivalency programs, so they high school diploma and can qualify for jobs requiring equivalency programs, that level of education. career tech programs, “The third way that we certifications and more so work with adult schools is to graduates can successfully make sure that we have strong enter the job market. referral processes in place for “There are certain individuals who are completing jobs that have huge hiring Tracie Scott-Contreras programs and are ready to move needs,” says Scott-Contreras. Executive Director, Workforce into post-secondary training, “Healthcare is certainly one of Development Board of vocational training, an apprenticeship those. Anything in transportation Madera County or directly into the labor market,” Scottand logistics or supply chain-related Contreras says. (jobs) are in demand, too. Hospitality and Additionally, transition specialists with the State tourism-related businesses are struggling.” Center Adult Education Consortium are available to help The board partners specifically with adult schools adult school graduates move on to the next step in their and community colleges to provide affordable ways education or training. for people to train for good-paying, in-demand jobs “Adult schools are a wonderful resource regardless in areas such as agriculture – including ag-tech and of whether you’re looking for educational assistance, ag business – as well as transportation and logistics, job-seeking assistance or skills development,” she says. advanced manufacturing, healthcare, retail, hospitality “So it’s important that people know that these programs and tourism, and the construction trades. are here for the community.” “Regionally, we’re also involved in training for green
“Adult schools are a wonderful resource regardless of whether you’re looking for educational assistance, job-seeking assistance or skills development.”
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PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS
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State Center Adult Education Consortium
Need a path to a well-paying career? Workforce Connection, a program of the Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board, helps individuals gain the skills needed to qualify for indemand jobs. Here’s how:
Academic and career skill-level evaluations:
Case managers administer assessments so people can discover their interests and identify the right career path for them.
Job-ready skills workshops:
“With our job-ready workshops, we go over the soft skills like communication and helping students improve their teamwork skills,” says Martha Espinosa, Marketing and Grant Manager for the Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board. “We discuss dress codes and grooming, and we offer resume writing workshops and interview skills workshops to prepare folks to get into the workplace.”
Paid work experience:
Workforce Connection offers paid work experiences, so those completing their vocational training can gain on-the-job training before they graduate.
Job placement and follow up:
The Workforce Connection team is on hand to help participants find full-time, good-paying jobs with benefits. Find out more about Workforce Connection at www.workforce-connection.com
