President’s Message by John F. Dunbar
Through its Workforce Development Initiative, the City of Milpitas connects students with local career options in advanced manufacturing.
New Approaches Build Local Economies Virtually every essential community service that enhances the quality of life in our cities — from public safety to infrastructure, parks, recreation, and more — depends on a vigorous local economy that supports a robust tax base and generates municipal revenues. Attracting new businesses, retaining employers, and providing opportunities for a skilled workforce are essential to fostering a healthy economy in our cities. This month, Western City takes a look at some inspiring examples of the diverse approaches, programs, and tools that California cities are using to help support economic development and thriving communities.
Regional Collaboration Yields Positive Results Although cities historically competed for employers and businesses, newer models of regional collaboration and cooperative
efforts are delivering positive results. In the Town of Yountville, where I serve as mayor, our elected leaders have tapped into a regional endeavor. The Workforce Alliance of the North Bay serves communities in Lake, Napa, Marin, and Mendocino counties. By focusing on development and training for workers through employment services, training initiatives, and career centers, the alliance helps to build a labor pool that can meet the needs of local employers. It works with businesses to identify job skills needed in key growth industries and collaborates with educational institutions to offer career tracks that meet employers’ needs. The alliance also provides labor market data, including demographics and wages, along with information on the region’s priority sectors: health care, biotechnology and life sciences, manufacturing, hospitality, and tourism.
The Workforce Alliance of the North Bay is one of 45 local workforce development boards statewide that are part of the California Workforce Development Board (cwdb.ca.gov). These local boards implement regional and local plans that align partnerships with education, business, and community organizations to expand vocational training, career opportunities, and economic mobility. All 34 cities in Orange County participate in the Orange County Economic Development Working Group, which includes representatives of local, state, and federal public agencies. This collaborative effort, launched in 2013, is featured in the article “Build Economic Development Momentum With Tools, Teams, and Tactics” on page 8.
Workforce and Job Development at the City Level Cities also engage in individual workforce development programs. The City of Milpitas recognized the difficulties that local manufacturers were experiencing in attracting qualified young people and, in 2016, launched the Milpitas Workforce continued
A participant in the Milpitas Workforce Development Initiative tries out virtual reality goggles; entrepreneurs take advantage of support provided by the Santa Clarita Business Incubator, right.
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