New DOGWF—LIUNA Local 324 Training Cohort Launched | | |
The Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County (WDBCCC), through the Displaced Oil and Gas Workers Fund (DOGWF), has launched a new training cohort in partnership with the Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA) and Local 324.
The six-week training is designed for DOGWF participants who are members of Local 324 and builds on their existing skills while keeping them within the same union.
Upon completion, participants are eligible to apply for job opportunities through the Construction and General Laborers Union hiring list, expanding access to union jobs, career stability, and long-term advancement.
| | Urban Forest Management Plan Grows Roots | | The first tree-planting event of the WDBCCC's Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) took place in December in Bay Point. The Dept. of Conservation and Development (DCD) is lead on the grant; WDB staff are providing workforce services in the form of presentations to arborist trainees on green skills clusters and two job fairs. The Watershed Project is helping lead on-the-ground work to shape how trees are planted and cared for across unincorporated Contra Costa County. | |
Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston (District 5), Civicorps, Ambrose Recreation & Park District, the Ambrose Garden Club, and local youth leaders made up the more than 30 community members who showed up for the demonstration. This planting is just one step in a larger effort to grow more shade and climate-resilient neighborhoods.
Want a tree of your own?
Email trees@thewatershedproject.org to learn more about the Adopt-A-Tree program.
The project is supported by the Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program, implemented by the Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation.
| | The Next Generation of EMT Professionals | | |
EMS Corps Youth Program
We are proud to announce that 15 youth successfully completed the Pilot Spring 2025 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Corps cohort at Mt. Diablo Adult Education. Of those completers, 12 of 15 have passed the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification and are actively seeking employment in the EMS field, demonstrating strong program outcomes and workforce readiness.
This momentum continues with Cohort 2 for Fall 2025, which is currently underway and serving 20 youth participants engaged in hands-on EMS training and career preparation.
Contra Costa College EMT Program
Eleven out of thirteen participants completed the Fall 2025 EMT cohort at Contra Costa College, further expanding the county’s pool of trained emergency medical technicians.
AMR Paramedic Program
Looking ahead, the American Medical Response (AMR) Paramedic Program Cohort 5 will launch in Winter 2025. With 17 new participants enrolled, Contra Costa County's advanced EMS capacity continues to grow.
Together, these programs reflect our commitment to creating equitable, high-quality career pathways that prepare residents, especially youth, for in-demand and life-saving careers while addressing the critical workforce needs of our region.
| | AMBayArea Tool Up for Manufacturing Program | |
In 2025, AMBayArea — in partnership with EASTBAYWorks (local Workforce Development Boards), and community colleges — launched the Tool Up for Manufacturing Program to strengthen the talent pipeline into manufacturing, consisting of three program components:
- Careers in Manufacturing Workshops
- Manufacturing Externship Program
- Manufacturing Guides
These components bring workforce professionals — including job developers, career counselors, and community college counselors — directly into EastBay manufacturing facilities, and provide first-hand insight into operations, real roles, and real employee experiences. This enables smarter talent matching, stronger referrals, and deeper alignment between local workforce development, the education system, and local industry.
Last Chance to Host - January & February Only!
AMBayArea is currently scheduling the final Careers in Manufacturing Workshops and Externships under this phase of the program. If you're a Bay Area manufacturer interested in boosting visibility, building relationships with workforce leaders, and connecting with better-qualified jobseekers — now is the time to participate.
Contact Warren White, AMBayArea Project Manager for more information: warren@ambayarea.org | (408) 482-1116
Why Should Manufacturers Host?
- Promote your company to the professionals who refer hundreds of jobseekers annually
- Highlight training programs aligned with regional manufacturing career pathways
- Build visibility as a top employer across workforce, training, and education networks
- Improve quality of job referrals and reduce hiring mismatches
- We handle all logistics — you just open your doors and let your company shine
- No cost to participate!
Each Careers in Manufacturing Workshop includes active participation from local community college representatives who:
- Highlight training programs aligned with regional manufacturing career pathways
- Share how their institutions prepare students to advance to or attain middle-skill manufacturing roles
- Strengthen relationships between college staff, employers, and workforce providers to improve job placement outcomes.
By bridging education, workforce development, and industry, these workshops ensure everyone is aligned on what's needed to grow California's manufacturing workforce. Limited workshop slots available - contact AMBayArea today.
| | WDBCCC & Rubicon Programs Collaborate to Showcase Innovation at the Contra Costa Inaugural Fair Chance Career Expo! | |
WDBCCC, in partnership with Rubicon Programs, hosted the inaugural Contra Costa Fair Chance Career Expo on October 30th, at the Mt. Diablo Adult Education Loma Vista Adult Center in Concord. The theme of the event was “Get Hired & Inspired!” and it aimed to support justice-involved individuals, while also being open to all job seekers and community members.
The expo attracted 248 pre-registrations, including 213 job seekers/community members and approximately 12 walk-ins. More than 35 employers and resource partners participated, including Contra Costa County HR, Tesla, FedEx Freight, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Contra Costa Health Services, Medic Ambulance, Pacific States Petroleum, and Contra Costa Water District. The majority of employers expressed interest in returning for future fair-chance events hosted by the WDB and Rubicon Programs.
| Captured in photo (L-R) Vi Ngo, Workforce Director, and Gloribel Pastrana, Business Services Manager, Rubicon Programs; Dr. David Fraser, Chief of Staff, Contra Costa County District V- Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston's Office; Charles Brown III, Business Services Representative/Reentry Coordinator, and Verneda "Vee" Clapp, Adult/DW Program Manager, Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County; Vittoria Abbate, Career Director, Mt. Diablo Adult Education. | |
Leaders from WDBCCC, Rubicon Programs, Mt. Diablo Adult Education, and Contra Costa County shared opening remarks. Dr. David Fraser, Chief of Staff for District V Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston, emphasized the importance of reentry and fair-chance hiring, stating, “Hopefully, someday the entire economy and job market in Contra Costa County can be fair, and we will not need to have a fair-chance career expo.”
We are grateful for the event sponsorships from the Mt. Diablo Adult Education Center, the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, and the Antioch Community Foundation. Thank you!
| WDBCCC Speaks at the MDUSD-AAPAC’s College Readiness Night! | | On Thursday, November 13, families from across the Mount Diablo Unified School District gathered at El Dorado Middle School for the monthly African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC) meeting. Parents, community members, and school staff came together to engage in meaningful dialogue focused on the district’s commitment to college and career readiness. | | |
During the meeting, Anna Ramos, Youth Development and Support Services Manager, shared valuable information about dual enrollment opportunities and how students can fulfill the A–G requirements for college eligibility. She provided families with clear guidance on navigating this process.
Dr. Charles Brown III, Business Services Representative at WDBCCC, discussed post-secondary pathways, emphasizing the importance of mentoring and highlighting scholarship opportunities available to support students pursuing higher education or workforce training after high school.
The event was well-received and provided families with practical resources, connections, and insights to support student success. WDBCCC extends special thanks to El Dorado Middle School Principal Jeanne Johnson for hosting and supporting this important conversation.
| | WDBCCC Staff Attend Grant Writing Workshop | | |
Several WDBCCC managers recently participated in a day-long grant writing seminar sponsored by Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston, titled “How to Write a Winning Grant Proposal.” Due to high demand for the spring session, Supervisor Scales-Preston added a fall seminar, with each attracting more than 100 attendees.
The fall session took place at the Crockett Community Center, with lunch generously provided by Supervisor Scales-Preston’s office.
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The seminar was led by Dr. David Fraser, Chief of Staff to Supervisor Scales-Preston and a grant writing instructor at California State University, East Bay.
Dr. Fraser guided participants through real-world examples of successful and unsuccessful grant proposals, covering key topics such as feasibility, need, capacity, partnerships, equity, sustainability, risk, impact, timelines, and budgets. He also introduced a practical tool to help assess grant readiness.
This engaging and informative session equipped WDBCCC staff with valuable strategies to strengthen future funding efforts.
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*Youth Committee: Wednesday, January 21, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
*Business & Economic Development Committee: Wednesday, February 18, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
*Full Board: Wednesday, March 18, 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Please visit our website for the most up-to-date information.
| | Jobseeker Events in January | | |
Looking to change careers this year? Check out EASTBAY Works' events, where you can gain certifications and other job-training skills. This month's events include:
*Job Corp Information Session: Tuesday, January 6, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
*P.A.C.T. (Parole and Community Team) Meeting: Wednesday, January 7, 9:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
*CHD Medical and Covered California Application Assistance: Thursday, January 8, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
*Shelter Inc. Employment, Training & Resource Fair: Wednesday, January 14, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
| | | | |
California released the employment data for September 2025 on Friday, December 12th, following a delay caused by the federal government shutdown. Contra Costa County's unemployment rate was 5.0 percent in September 2025. That's down from a revised 5.2 percent in August 2025.
For more details, refer to the latest State Labor Report for the Oakland-Hayward-Berkeley Metropolitan Division.
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