Annual
Report

Program Year

July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024

A new day dawns, a blank slate waiting to be filled with your dreams and aspirations. It's a time for growth, for learning, for finding your place in the world. That's what workforce development can offer you.

At the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County, workforce is our only business. We help companies find, train, and retain the right employees for their workforce. In addition, our no-cost services help residents secure quality jobs to become economically self-sufficient. Through our work and that of our regional partners, we are working to strengthen a community by connecting businesses to the talent they need and talent to the jobs they seek. In Program Year 2023–2024 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024), we enrolled more than 1,700 job seekers through 17 programs.

In Program Year 2023-2024, the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County created the below SMARTIE (Strategic, Measurable, Ambitious, Realistic, Time-bound, Inclusive, and Equitable) Goals to accomplish in the next two years:

  • Convene a regional work-based-learning workforce summit that brings employers and education/training providers together to align their strategies and develop trainings that meet employer demand (Unify and align siloed and fragmented existing strategies.)
  • Strengthen operational supports for job seekers with barriers to employment by diversifying funding, implementing protocols, and building partnerships.
  • Systematize customer feedback processes to improve reporting and service delivery for job seekers and employers.
  • Fully Implement business solutions and services for employers to address their needs and help them thrive.
  • Expand awareness of the WDBVC services and resources for job seekers and employers by deploying an outreach and communication strategy to increase visibility across the region.

Messages From...

Executive Director Rebecca Evans & Workforce Development Board of Ventura County Board Chair Laura Martinez

Dear Workforce Development Board of Ventura County Members and Partners,

The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County is pleased to present our Annual Program Year (PY) 2023-24 Report. This past year has been marked by significant strides in our mission to connect job seekers with meaningful employment opportunities and support businesses' workforce needs.

As we look back on the accomplishments of PY 2023-24, we are particularly proud of the development of our new SMARTIE goals. These goals, which are Strategic, Measurable, Ambitious, Realistic, Time-bound, Inclusive, and Equitable, provide a clear roadmap for our organization's future.

In addition to adopting our SMARTIE goals, we welcomed new members to our board and staff. These additions have brought fresh perspectives and expertise to our organization, enhancing our ability to serve our community.

We are also pleased to announce the election of Laura Martinez as our new Chair and Byron Ward as our Vice Chair for PY 2024-25. We sincerely thank outgoing Chair Stephen Yeoh for his invaluable leadership and dedication to the WDBVC during his tenure as Chair.

One of our significant accomplishments during PY 2023-24 was the identification of priority sectors that are driving economic growth and job creation in Ventura County. These sectors include:

  • Healthcare
  • Business and Entrepreneurship
  • Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism
  • Advanced Manufacturing
  • Agriculture, Water, and Environmental Technology
  • Education and Human Development

To raise awareness of these priority sectors and their career opportunities, we created informative posters highlighting the industries, skills required, and potential career paths. By identifying and promoting these priority sectors, we are helping to ensure that our workforce development efforts align with the needs of local businesses and industries, fostering economic growth and prosperity.

We are excited about the opportunities to expand our reach and impact further. Our commitment to providing exceptional services to jobseekers and employers remains unwavering. We will continue to focus on our SMARTIE goals, strengthen our partnerships, and adapt to the evolving needs of our community. By working together, we can create a brighter future for all.

Rebecca Evans
Executive Director
Workforce Development Board of Ventura County

Dear Workforce Development Board of Ventura County Members and Partners,

As I assume the role of Chair of the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County, I am both honored and humbled to reflect on the remarkable accomplishments of our organization during the 2023-2024 Program Year.

Our commitment to breaking down barriers to employment, fostering diversity and inclusion, and delivering human-centered services has resulted in significant positive outcomes for our community. We have successfully secured and implemented grant-funded programs, recruited diverse board members, and designed programs responsive to job seekers' unique needs.

However, one of our most significant challenges remains increasing awareness of the valuable resources we offer. Many job seekers and employers in our area are unaware of our network's wide range of services.

I am calling upon all readers to join me in spreading the word about our services to job seekers and employers to address this. By highlighting the impact of our work and the diverse services we offer, we can ensure that employers and job seekers have access to the information and support they need to succeed.

As an employer representative who has utilized several programs through America's Job Center of California, I am deeply committed to our mission of providing equitable access to employment opportunities. By focusing on this goal, we can build a stronger, more inclusive workforce for Ventura County.

Laura Martinez

Sincerely,
Laura Martinez

Founder & CEO, HR Force
Chair, Workforce Development Board of Ventura County

WIOA Impact Report
Ventura County, CA
Unique Count of Title I and Title III Customers for Rolling 4 Quarters Ending March 31, 2024
2,957
Staff-Assisted Program Completers Served 4/1/22 - 3/31/23
Employment Success
$12,001
Average Earnings 2nd Quarter
Economic Impact
$88,856,052
Total Estimated Annual Earnings for those Employed in 2nd Quarter

Source:
FutureWorks BI; Data derived from the PIRL; Program Year 2023 Data

For more information about this infographic, including definitions of terms and how to access more local Workforce Board data insights, please visit
https://futureworksystems.com/board-infographic
FutureWork Logo

Impact Report

6,225

visitors to our America’s Job Centers of California

over

3,000

services provided to businesses

17

initiatives to serve job seekers and businesses

more than

1,700

job seekers served in our programs

73%

of WIOA individuals placed in jobs

$88,856,052
Total Estimated Annual Earnings for those Employed
$12,001
Average Earnings in the 2nd Quarter

180

jobs saved by preventing layoffs


* Program Year July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024
Note: Placement in employment is measured
six and twelve months after exit.

Our Expanded Service Locations

Map Marker
America's Job Center of California 2901 N. Ventura Road, 3rd Floor, Oxnard, CA 93036 Monday – Friday – 8:00am – 5:00pm
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Thousand Oaks Community Service Center 80E Hillcrest Drive, Ste 200, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 Tuesday – Thursday – 8:00am – 5:00pm
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America's Job Center of California 2900 N. Madera Road, 1st Floor, Simi Valley, CA 93065 Monday – Friday – 8:00am – 5:00pm
Map Marker
VC Department of Child Support Services 5171 Verdugo Way, Camarillo, CA 93012 Tuesday – 8:00am – 5:00pm
Map Marker
Ventura Community Service Center 4651 Telephone Road, Ventura, CA 93003 Monday – Friday – 8:00am – 5:00pm
Map Marker
Santa Clara Valley Community Service Center 725 E. Main Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060 Tuesday & Thursday – 8:00am – 5:00pm
Map Marker
Ojai Library 111 E Ojai Ave, Ojai, CA 93023 Thursday – 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Map Marker
Fillmore Community Service Center 828 Ventura Street, Ste 200, Fillmore, CA 93015 Wednesday – 8:00am – 5:00pm
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Moorpark Community Service Center 612B Spring Road, Ste 301 Moorpark, CA 93021 Wednesday – 8:00am – 5:00pm
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Piru Library 3811 Center Street Piru, CA 93040Tuesday Tuesday – 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Press
Release
Empowering Ventura County Youth: Workforce Development Board Launches Revitalized Youth Program

VENTURA — Ventura County NextGen, The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County’s new youth-focused program, is helping local youth and young adults overcome barriers to employment and embark on successful careers.

The most recently available numbers show that only 88.1% of Ventura County high school seniors graduated in 2022; while this is slightly higher than California’s average graduation rate, it still leaves nearly 12% of Ventura County youth exiting school without their high school diploma. Those with lower household incomes have significantly lower graduation rates than those with higher incomes. This demographic already deals with the difficulties of entering the workforce at a young age. However, their participation in the workforce is down nearly 3% nationally when comparing February 2024 to February 2020 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Advancing Workforce Equity

We are committed to developing, nurturing, and sustaining an equitable community where all individuals can thrive. We pledge to amplify the voices of under-represented or historically excluded communities by removing barriers resulting from racial and social injustice and inequities. We strive to ensure that equity, diversity, and inclusion are embedded at all levels of our programs by acknowledging, analyzing, and addressing the root causes of inequities. In an equitable workforce, all jobs are good jobs. Workforce equity means eliminating racial gaps in employment and income. It means the public and private workforce racially represents the general population at all skill and pay levels across occupational groups and sectors.

Note: Participants below were enrolled in WIOA. The Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) authorizes workforce development boards (WDBs) to drive the vision for the workforce system at the state and local levels and maintain the critical role of leading state and local implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

Under 19
(163)
19-21
(106)
22-24
(70)
25-34
(154)
35-44
(102)
45-54
(116)
55-64
(91)
65 & Older
(32)
Female
(376)
Male
(450)
Didn't Identify
(8)
Hispanic or Latino
(460)
American Indian / Alaskan Native
(24)
Asian
.......................... ........
(35)
African  American/Black
(61)
Hawaiian Native / Other Pac. Islander
(5)
White / Caucasian
(445)
In School, High School or Less
(88)
In School, Alternative School
(47)
In School Attending Post High School
(48)
Out-of-School, High School Dropout
(106)
Out-of-School, High School Grad
(542)
Not Attending School, Within Age of Compulsory  School Attendance
(3)
Population Served
We are committed to ensuring that our programs reflect the diversity of the county by aligning the demographics of program enrollees with the broader population. This approach promotes inclusivity and equitable access to opportunities across all community groups in Ventura County.
Press
Release
Ventura Breeze Logo
New job program launched at community colleges
by Editorial Team - July 12, 2023

VENTURA The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDBVC) and the Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) today announced the launch of a new joint job program designed to help Ventura County residents develop the skills they need to get in-demand, high-paying jobs.

The new career program will be offered at Ventura, Moorpark, and Oxnard Colleges, and include the following opportunities...

Creating Solutions for Businesses

Our Business Solutions team is here to serve the needs of businesses and job seekers in Ventura County. We play a critical role in ensuring talent soars and business grows.

We partnered with the California Employers Association to provide Ventura County businesses with a no-cost human resources hotline. HR experts are available to answer common human resource issues such as Wage and Hour, Paid Sick Leave, and more. The California Employers Association also offers monthly webinars to Ventura County businesses on various topics.

We also offer incumbent worker training, customized recruitment services, job fairs, and information on work opportunity tax credits.

110

employer contacts via HR Hotline

340

attendees at employer's webinars

711
attendees at 7 hosted or co-hosted events

87

attendees at 4 targeted employer hiring events

569

individuals assisted by Rapid Response activities

146

careers explored by 97 individuals through Virtual Reality headset events

In
The
News
Moorpark Acorn Logo
Free training available to job seekers
by Editorial Team • January 27, 2024

The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County wants to get local residents back to work. To better help the 19,700 unemployed workers seeking jobs, the board has rebranded its existing workforce development program. Now called Ventura County WORKS, the program helps job seekers in the county upgrade their skills and receive training in a variety of career fields at no cost.

Community members can learn more about available services that can help prepare them for careers in advanced manufacturing, information technology, health care and customer service.

Press
Release
Workforce Development Board of Ventura County partners with Goodwill to offer short-term jobs restoring local parks damaged by flooding
by Community Contributor • August 23, 2023

VENTURA — Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDBVC) is excited to announce short-term jobs for unemployed adults, to help clean, repair, and restore local parks damaged by the devastating winter storms of 2022-23.WDBVC and Goodwill of Ventura have partnered with the federally funded National Dislocated Worker Grant (NDWG), which allows Goodwill to hire workers to clean up mudslides and landslides from the severe storms of 2022-2023.

These temporary jobs as restoration team members have flexible hours with pay of up to $25 an hour and provide on-the-job training and work experience.

Financials

WIOA Core Funds
$7,887,607.45
WIOA 15% Grants
$3,109,495.00
Non-WIOA Grants
$9,290,162.00

In Summary

We help people and support businesses, but our work is much more than that. By keeping businesses moving and people working, we are fortifying an economy that impacts the lives of our county and beyond.

As we reflect on the past year's accomplishments, it's evident that our commitment to being a future-focused workforce board has never been stronger. We've embraced change and actively sought it out, transforming our approach to better serve our community.

This year, we've shifted our focus from static systems to agile strategies that anticipate and respond to emerging needs. Data, once merely a collection of numbers, has become a powerful tool for understanding our community and guiding our decisions. By combining data-driven insights with a human-centered approach, we've ensured that our programs and services are equitable, inclusive, and responsive to the diverse needs of our job seekers and employers.

We are committed to building on our successes and continuing to innovate. To achieve our goals, we will focus on the following key areas:

  • Strengthening partnerships: Collaborating with employers, education providers, and community organizations to develop effective workforce solutions.
  • Improving service delivery: Enhancing our programs and services better to meet the needs of job seekers and businesses.
  • Expanding outreach: Increasing awareness of our services and resources throughout the community.
  • Leveraging data: Using data-driven insights to inform our decision-making and improve outcomes.

By focusing on these areas, we will continue to be a driving force in workforce development, creating a more equitable and prosperous future for our community.

Click here to see last year's Annual Report.