Initiatives of the Economic Alliance

Workforce & Education Investment Initiative

2006-2008

Purpose of Initiative: The purpose of the Workforce & Education Investment Initiative is to identify market and collaboration opportunities between employers and job training entities that support programs to satisfy the needs of Valley businesses; and to encourage students, job seekers, and the current labor pool to pursue education and career development opportunities that meet market needs.

Mission: “To prepare the best possible workforce to meet the needs of businesses in the five-city San Fernando Valley region.”

Co-Chairs: Harvey Berg, Berg Consulting, Carl Raggio, Western Commercial Bank
Dr. Tom Oliver, Consultant
Staff: Kenn Phillips, Director of Workforce & Education Investment

Top Priorities: Determine the workforce training and employment needs of business, and provide the resources to fulfill those identified needs through collaboration and facilitation.

Primary Goals:

1. Target Key Industry Sectors and Identify Specific Employer Training Needs
     • Assist the Economic & Business Development Initiative with its business attraction, retention, and
       expansion goals by helping to satisfy employment and training demands
     • Identify employer customized train-to-hire and incumbent worker training opportunities, especially
       within key Industry Clusters

2. Utilize Select Resources and Programs to Fulfill Workforce Training and Hiring Needs
     • Manage The Training Alliance in conjunction with our Community College and University partners,
       and market it as the primary source for meeting employer’s training needs
     • Expand workforce partnerships, extend business outreach, and increase training and placement
       capacity with special emphasis on coordinating targeted sector job fairs
     • Secure grants and funding sources to provide needed resources

3. Sponsor Projects and Programs that Promote Educational Excellence
     • Stage annual “Steve Allen Excellence in Education” Awards and the “Business-Education
       Partnership” Awards
     • Sponsor and promote school-to-career awareness and enhancement programs like Project GRAD-
       Los Angeles, UNITE-LA, and Jr. Achievement
     • Organize and sponsor “Education Summits” and “College Presidents Reports” as needed
     • Facilitate Workforce and Education dialogues among stakeholders, including business, education,
       community, government, parents, and students

Showcases:

2007 Steve Allen Excellence in Education Awards

Aviation Career Day