In this season of giving, we want to highlight our partners, who consistently give 110% to our community in our collective goal of achieving equity.

Dec. 14: Youth Voices Listening Session

On Thursday, December 14, we will be holding an online Youth Voices Listening Session to discuss future youth centers in Contra Costa County.

Don't miss this opportunity to make your voice heard. As a thanks, all youth participants will receive a $20 Visa gift card!

CEA Resource: Employer End of Year Reminders

Festive storefront displays and seasonal music are just a few telltale signs that the year is coming to a close. It is also a time for employers to pause and double-check certain key areas before closing out the year.

These checks can help ensure legal compliance, maintain a productive workforce, and set the stage for a successful new year.

Jan. 16: Labor Law Update

Gear up for a crucial session addressing significant California labor law alterations, set to impact employers in 2024.

Hosted by the California Employer Association, this no-cost virtual event is a must-attend for all Contra Costa County employers, offering invaluable insights and clarifications on impending regulations.

Mark your calendars and ensure you're prepared for the changes ahead!

WDBCCC, in partnership with the Richmond Workforce Development Board (RWDB), secured 50+ employers, unions, and resources for a career fair on October 25. Over 200 people signed in within 30 minutes at the Richmond Convention Center, engaging with recruiters from 40 companies and organizations. Standout employers included PG&E, Caltrans, and Tesla.

"We're very excited and appreciative that so many people showed up, for this to be our first one since the pandemic," said Tamara Walker, Deputy Community Services Director for the city's Employment & Training Department, which hosted the fair. "We were trying to find out who would show up, how was our marketing, what employers we would have so that we could prepare for the next one."

Two of our Workforce Services Specialists, Noramah Burch and LaTosha Stockholm, who specialize in Youth Program Management, recently attended the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals Youth Symposium in Las Vegas.

The Youth Symposium united leaders and stakeholders are dedicated to providing and developing workforce development opportunities for the youth population nationwide.

The theme “The Stakes Are High” resonates with the impactful work of the WDB with youth during critical life phases, shaping their future paths.

Our Program Managers explored innovative technology that can be tailored to youth’s needs, such as VR workforce training and AI resume assistants. They also networked with other workforce professionals and youth providers, gaining insights for improving various youth programs and projects, such as the Measure X Youth Centers Project. These experiences will shape our approach to youth services and interactions.

On November 9 and 16, 2023, the WDB, in partnership with the Contra Costa Labor Council and community partners, facilitated four Rapid Response Outplacement Services orientations at the USS Possco (USS-UPI) steel mill plant in Pittsburg.

This was in response to the WDB receiving a WARN (Worker Adjustment Retraining Notice), from USS-UPI in October 2023, indicating the permanent layoff 474 affected employees on December 1, 2023. USS-UPI, LLC is represented by the United Steelworkers (USW) union. All other Management and non-union employees will be laid off in the first quarter of 2024.

The WDB Rapid Response Team, including community partners Rubicon Programs, EDD, Covered California, and the DOL, offers tailored and confidential outplacement services for companies and dislocated employees in Contra Costa County.

Charles Brown III, the WDB's Business Services Representative/Rapid Response Coordinator, led the orientations at USS Possco. Impacted employees received information on the Concord AJCC career center and employment and training services from Rubicon Programs.

The EDD provided information about unemployment insurance, California Training Benefits, the regional labor market, CalJOBS, and Veterans' Services. Health Markets, an authorized agent for Covered California, discussed affordable healthcare and Medi-Cal, while the DOL covered COBRA, 401ks, and retirement accounts.

Looking to change careers this upcoming new year? Check out EastBay Works' events, where you can gain certifications and other job-training skills. December's events include:

* Career Development and Assessment Workshop: Wed. December 13, 10:00 a.m.

* Intro to Computers: Fri. December 15, 9:00 a.m.

* Interviewing Essentials: Wed. December 20, 10:00 a.m.

ICYMI: Introducing Think Contra Costa

Stay In-the-Know

Want to stay updated on WDBCCC news and upcoming events in Contra Costa County? Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

If this email was forwarded to you, quickly sign up to receive future editions of this newsletter and other communications.