The project unites dozens of employers, such as t-mobile, VF outdoor, sierra agra, and gibson wine company, and key stakeholders in california's central valley to develop the local workforce and…

This $46.03 million project grant from the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration under the CFDA Economic Adjustment Assistance program aims to strengthen the economy of California's Central Valley region through workforce development partnerships. Led by the Fresno County Economic Development Corporation, the award unites employers in key industries like manufacturing, transportation/logistics, finance, and construction with workforce boards and training providers. It will place residents into high-quality jobs through pre-apprenticeships, registered apprenticeships, and bootcamp and individualized training pathways developed in collaboration with over a dozen sub-awardees. Services will also be tailored to underserved populations through a partnership with Unite Us to coordinate wraparound supports. The project is expected to run from September 2022 through September 2027.

The project unites dozens of employers, such as t-mobile, VF outdoor, sierra agra, and gibson wine company, and key stakeholders in california's central valley to develop the local workforce and strengthen its economy. This project aims to bolster and diversify an economy still dominant in agriculture by placing residents into high-quality jobs in four growth industries. Its financial services partnership, led by fresno k-16 collaborative, will build paid training opportunities including pre-apprenticeships and registered apprenticeships with leading employers. Its manufacturing partnership, led by SAN joaquin valley manufacturing alliance and generation USA, will provide bootcamp training and individualized training pathways to meet demand from hundreds of local manufacturers. Its transportation, distribution, and logistics partnership, led by madera workforce board, will meet demand from various local small- and medium-sized businesses that support two nearby port cities. Its building and construction partnership, led by fresno workforce development board, will build on over a decade of partnership with unions and local employers by placing hundreds of individuals into well-paying jobs in the trades. To meet the needs of targeted underserved populations, the awardee has partnered with uniteus to assess all participants for unmet service needs, connect them with tailored services, track outcomes, and identify gaps and disparities in real time.