Annual
Report
July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025
Advancing Our Priority Goals: Program Year 2024–2025
In Program Year 2023–2024, the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County committed to ambitious SMARTIE (Strategic, Measurable, Ambitious, Realistic, Time-bound, Inclusive, and Equitable) Goals to be accomplished within two years. Over the past year, we have taken significant steps forward in realizing these priorities, bringing our community closer to a workforce system that is more aligned, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of both job seekers and employers.
- In partnership with the Ventura County Office of Education, convened a regional work-based-learning workforce summit that successfully brought manufacturing employers and education/training providers together. This gathering created alignment around sector-specific strategies, expanded dialogue on training design, and led to new commitments for employer-driven career pathways.
- Strengthened operational supports for job seekers with barriers to employment by diversifying funding streams, formalizing new service protocols, and expanding partnerships with community-based organizations. These efforts have enhanced navigation, referrals, and access to resources for individuals most in need.
- Systematized customer feedback processes to improve service delivery. Through regular surveys, listening sessions, and employer roundtables, we built a feedback loop that is now embedded into program operations, ensuring both job seekers and businesses influence how services evolve.
- Implemented comprehensive business solutions and services for employers, expanding customized support to help local businesses address workforce challenges. This included the rollout of tailored recruitment, training, and retention strategies, allowing more employers to access tools that strengthen their competitiveness.
- Expanded awareness of WDBVC services and resources by deploying a robust outreach and communications strategy. Our digital campaigns, community events, and media presence have increased visibility across the region, connecting more individuals and businesses to workforce programs and resources.
These achievements provide a strong foundation to deepen our impact. The work of the last year demonstrates the power of collaboration, innovation, and persistence in advancing equitable workforce solutions that create opportunity for all in Ventura County.
Messages From...
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
Impact Report
7,268
visitors to our America’s Job Centers of California
over
3,145
services provided to businesses
17
initiatives to serve job seekers and businesses
more than
3,900
job seekers served in our programs
73%
of WIOA served individuals secured jobs
Program Year July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025
Our Expanded Service Locations
Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm
Release
VC Heal Healthcare Careers strengthens workforce, expands opportunities
VENTURA — The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County is launching a groundbreaking initiative to train 250 low- and moderate-income individuals in health care occupations. The Ventura County Healthcare Employment Accelerator (VC Heal Healthcare Careers) program focuses on strengthening the county’s health care workforce and expanding career opportunities for residents. With nearly $7.5 million in funding, this program aims to improve health care infrastructure, support economic recovery after the 2018 wildfires and promote overall community well-being.
The VC Heal Healthcare Careers program will provide guidance to help participants succeed in critical health care roles. Among the standout offerings is the Clinical Medical Assisting program, which equips students with both hands-on patient care techniques and administrative expertise, preparing them for roles in clinics and hospitals.
High Road Construction Careers Unlock Your path to success
A NACo Award-Winning Program for Community and Workforce Resilience
Restoring Foster Park, Rebuilding Careers: A NACo Award-Winning Program for Community and Workforce ResilienceIn the wake of unprecedented winter storms in January 2023, Ventura County faced widespread damage, including devastating flooding that severely impacted Foster Park—one of the county’s oldest and most beloved public parks. A vital recreational asset for the underserved communities of Ventura and Oxnard, Foster Park sustained catastrophic damage: deep sediment deposits, uprooted trees, destroyed irrigation and electrical systems, and unusable picnic and play areas.
Amid this environmental crisis, the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDBVC) saw an opportunity—not only to restore a treasured community space, but to simultaneously rebuild lives and strengthen the local economy. Leveraging a National Dislocated Worker Grant (NDWG) from the U.S. Department of Labor, WDBVC partnered with the Ventura County Parks Department to launch a temporary employment program that aligned disaster recovery with workforce development.
Through this unique collaboration, dozens of dislocated and unemployed Ventura County residents were hired to support the park’s recovery. Under the supervision of the Parks Department, workers engaged in critical restoration efforts—removing debris, repairing damaged infrastructure, and helping revitalize the park’s 10-acre landscape. For many participants, this was more than just a temporary job. It was a pathway back into the workforce, offering them new skills, a steady income, and the dignity of contributing to their community’s recovery.
“This partnership exemplifies how workforce development can be an engine for resilience,” said Rebecca Evans, Executive Director of the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County. “We didn’t just clean up a park—we provided real jobs with real impact.”
In 2025, this innovative program was recognized with a National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award, honoring Ventura County’s leadership in aligning workforce development with disaster response. The award highlights the program’s effectiveness, creativity, and positive community outcomes, placing Ventura County among a select group of national honorees.
The project also highlighted the strength of cross-department collaboration. By aligning federal workforce funds with local disaster response, the County maximized its ability to serve residents on multiple levels—restoring public infrastructure, strengthening the local labor market, and supporting economic mobility.
Expanding Opportunity in the Workforce
We are committed to building a community where everyone has the chance to succeed. Our work focuses on removing barriers that prevent people from accessing good jobs and advancing in their careers. We pledge to amplify the voices of those who have traditionally been excluded from economic opportunities and to address the factors that contribute to unequal outcomes. This means ensuring that all our programs are designed to open doors, broaden access, and create pathways into meaningful work. By examining gaps in employment and income across industries, we are working to ensure that the public and private workforces better reflect the full talent of Ventura County. Our goal is a workforce system where ability and potential, not background or circumstance, determine opportunity.
Note: The participants below were enrolled in WIOA. The Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) authorizes workforce development boards (WDBs) to drive the vision of 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).
Release
Bilingual report — New Chair and Vice Chair Announced for Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDBVC)
VENTURA COUNTY — The most recent Workforce Development Board Meeting featured an election of new officers with Laura Martinez, elected as Chair, and Byron K. Ward, elected Vice Chair by their fellow Board Members.
Martinez has a strong background in Business Development, HR, and Strategic Planning across multiple business sectors, as well as having served in the US Air Force. She is the Founder & CEO of HR Force, her consulting firm specializing in HR architecture and serving as strategic partners in building HR departments from inception to alignment with organizational vision and strategic objectives.
The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDBVC) and the Ventura County Department of Child Support Services (VCDCSS) have formed a new partnership to support unemployed parents in securing meaningful employment. This collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding, reflects a shared commitment to strengthening families, promoting financial stability, and building a healthier community.
At the heart of the partnership is the recognition that stable employment benefits not only individual parents but also their children and the broader Ventura County economy. By working together, WDBVC and VCDCSS are expanding access to employment services for parents, enabling them to acquire the skills and resources necessary to secure sustainable employment and fulfill their child support obligations.
Through this partnership, WDBVC provides trained staff and employment workshops that cover essential skills, including resume building, interviewing, and job search strategies. Workshops are accessible to all Ventura County residents and are offered to meet the needs of working families. VCDCSS, in turn, provides dedicated space, resources, and a streamlined referral system to ensure that parents can easily connect with the services they need.
The collaboration is designed not only to improve employment outcomes but also to foster community awareness, align organizational strategies, and measure impact through increased job placements and child support compliance. Together, WDBVC and VCDCSS are creating a pathway to long-term stability for families while supporting the region’s economic vitality.
This partnership demonstrates the power of cross-agency collaboration by aligning workforce development with family support to deliver lasting results for Ventura County.
Release
Ventura County celebrates record-breaking graduation from Skilled Trades Program
VENTURA COUNTY — The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDBVC) celebrates the graduation of its latest and largest cohort from the High Road Construction Careers (HRCC) pre-apprenticeship program. The comprehensive, no-cost initiative equips residents of Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties with the necessary skills and connections before embarking on apprenticeship training, and ultimately a career in the building and construction trades.
“This was an amazing career opportunity for me,” said Lois Person-Effinger, a recent HRCC graduate. “There are so many variations of construction [within the program] … electrical, plumbing, carpentry, so I feel like it has something for everyone.”
Building Strong Employer Partnerships
Our Business Solutions team is dedicated to helping Ventura County businesses grow, adapt, and thrive. By supporting employers, we strengthen the entire workforce system and expand opportunities for job seekers. Through our partnership with the California Employers Association, local businesses have access to a no-cost human resources hotline. Experts are available to answer common HR questions on topics such as wage and hour rules, paid leave, and compliance updates. Employers also benefit from monthly webinars and an annual labor law update tailored to Ventura County businesses. In addition, we provide services that help companies remain competitive, including incumbent worker training, customized recruitment strategies, job fairs, and information on work opportunity tax credits. These solutions allow employers to focus on what matters most: running their businesses and supporting their employees.
120
employer contacts via HR Hotline
380+
attendees at webinars provided to employers
56
Rapid Response events hosted for companies laying off employees
careers explored by 45 individuals through Virtual Reality headset events
1,784
individuals assisted by Rapid Response to layoff activities
The
News
Free training available to job seekers
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.
In Summary
In Program Year 2024–2025, the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDBVC) strengthened its role as a convener, collaborator, and innovator in workforce development. By expanding service locations, building new employer partnerships, and advancing programs that address both economic and community needs, WDBVC demonstrated the power of aligning local action with regional priorities. Highlights such as the Foster Park restoration project illustrate how federal resources can be transformed into opportunities that create jobs, restore environments, and improve the quality of life for Ventura County residents.
This year, the Board sharpened its focus on making services more accessible, embedding customer feedback into continuous improvement, and using data to guide decisions. Business solutions expanded to help employers address talent needs, while job seekers gained greater access to the training, workshops, and support needed to thrive. The results underscore that Ventura County’s workforce system is not only responsive to immediate needs but also preparing for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
The Federal Landscape
At the national level, workforce development is entering a period of both opportunity and uncertainty. Congress continues to debate funding levels for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), with proposals that could either strengthen or significantly reduce resources for local boards. At the same time, federal investments in infrastructure, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing are creating new demands for skilled workers and stronger regional partnerships. There is also growing emphasis on accountability, with workforce programs expected to demonstrate clear outcomes in employment, wage growth, and credential attainment.
A Call to Advocacy
In this environment, it is more important than ever for workforce boards to advocate for the value of WIOA and the local leadership role of boards like WDBVC. Advocacy should focus on:
- Demonstrating impact by pairing outcome data with compelling local success stories.
- Building cross-sector coalitions with employers, education, and community partners to show alignment with broader economic strategies.
- Calling for stable, predictable base funding to ensure annual budget debates do not disrupt programs.
- Encouraging flexibility in how funds can be used so boards can respond quickly to local challenges, including the need for childcare, transportation, and wraparound services.
- Championing data modernization to improve efficiency and accountability.
By continuing to elevate local results and advocate for the federal resources needed to sustain them, WDBVC will ensure that Ventura County’s workforce system remains strong, innovative, and positioned for the future.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we work together to strengthen Ventura County’s workforce and economy.