Investing in Economic Prosperity!
BUSINESS NEWSLETTER
September 2017
Vol. I, Issue 2
Upcoming 2017 Madera County Fall Job Fair
  The Workforce Development Board of Madera County and the City of Madera Parks and Community Services invite interested businesses to participate in this year's job fair. Last year more than 30 employers benefited from this event. To reserve your spot, please contact Jorge Espinosa at (559) 662-4540 or send an email to jespinosa@maderaworkforce.org

Local Business Spotlight
Innovative Rotational Molding, Inc. is a family owned and operated business in Madera. Their 35000 square foot facility is home to the industry’s largest rotational molding machine in North America. The company produces a variety of products from tubs, boats and plastic tanks to portable bathrooms.
For the past six years the Workforce Development Board of Madera County has worked closely with IRM by providing business services and qualified candidates through the On-the-Job Training program. Twenty employees have been placed under this amazing program. A total of $134,828 has been reimbursed to IRM to offset the cost of training new employees.

"Workforce has been very helpful in finding us qualified candidates for employment which has allowed us to take advantage of the reimbursement program they have available. We have employed numerous people over the last 6 years. Your service has been immeasurable."
Dan and Shellie Humphries owners/IRM, Inc.

Emergency and Disaster Assistance for Employers
Employers in Madera and Mariposa Counties directly affected by the Mission and Peak fires may request up to a 60-day extension of time from the EDD to file their state payroll reports and/or deposit state payroll taxes without penalty or interest. This extension may be granted under Section 1111.5 of the California Unemployment Insurance Code (CUIC). A written request for extension must be received within 60 days from the original delinquent date of the payment or return. Visit the Emergency and Disaster Assistance for Employers page for more information.
If you have any questions, contact our Taxpayer Assistance Center at
1-888-745-3886.
 
The Madera County HR hotline is designed to handle questions from employers regarding Human Resource issues such as:
•ADA and other accommodations in the workplace
•Hiring and Firing Do’s and Don’ts
•Paid Sick Leave Laws
•Wage and Hour Laws
•Employee Handbook Policies

Take advantage of this excellent resource!
This hotline is funded by the Disability Employment Accelerator Project.
Unemployment Rate
August 2017
Madera County...........................................8.6%
California....................................................5.4%
US................................................................4.5%

The unemployment rate in the Madera County was 8.6 percent in August 2017, unchanged from a revised 8.6 percent in July 2017, and above the year-ago estimate of 8.5 percent. This compares with an unadjusted unemployment rate of 5.4 percent for California and 4.5 percent for the nation during the same period.

Source: EDD September 2017 release of the Madera Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Business 30-Second Training Series and Resource Guide
  The Business 30-Second Training Series and complementary Business Resource Guide were developed with a business focus and designed to educate businesses, hiring managers and supervisors about proven strategies and easy-to-use resources that can assist in retaining and accommodating existing employees who experience onset of a disability.


Did you know?
More than 50 million Americans with disabilities - 18% of our population - are potential customers for businesses of all types across the United States.

This group has $175 billion in discretionary spending power, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. That figure is more than twice the spending power of American teenagers and almost 18 times the spending power of the American "tweens" market.


Paid Work Experience Program
The Paid Work Experience (PWEX) program is a temporary work placement activity for out of school young adults, ages 18-24 years of age. A structured Paid Work Experience provides employers with individuals who are ready and willing to work in their chosen career path. It may also provide a pool of future employees from which to fill future positions and may reduce recruitment costs. The program covers 100% of wages and provides workers compensation coverage.
For more information about the program call:
Charlton Dove at (559) 662-4507

Read more. ..

The Workforce Development Board
is looking for members
The WDB is comprised of a majority of private sector members from our county and are the policy makers for our local workforce system. The Board meets every other month on the 3rd Thursday of the meeting month at 3:00 p.m. at the Workforce Assistance Center located at 2037 W. Cleveland Avenue in Madera. We would be happy to meet with you and give you a tour of our new location and to answer any questions you may have!

We would love to be able to work with you. Please contact Nicki Martin at (559) 662-4589.

Please consider the possibility of becoming a board member. 


USCIS releases new I-9 Form, new version must be used by Sept. 18, 2017
U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services recently released a new revised version of the Form I-9. Employers must use this new version, with a revision date of 07/17/17 N, by September 18, 2017. Until then, employers may use the old version, with a revision date of 11/14/16 N.
USCIS made some minor changes to the Form I-9 instructions and to the List of Acceptable Documents (for List C documents). As with any new I-9 version, please make sure you review the form and instructions carefully before and during completion. Please also note that USCIS has updated the M-274 (Employer Handbook) to reflect these changes.
A new version of the form with additional information is available on the   USCIS website .
Wells Fargo Bank awards $20,000
The $20,000 grant award will support Madera County Workforce Investment Corporation’s preparatory High School Equivalency (HiSET) open entry, open exit class.

  A high school diploma or its equivalent is essential to successful entry into the workforce in positions that provide an opportunity for career growth and pathways. In the City of Madera approximately 48 percent of the residents do not have a high school diploma or its equivalent. When people ultimately discover they can attend an open entry, open exit preparatory class, offered various days and times with an instructor that provides individualized instruction based on their pre-placement academic assessment and then successfully take and pass the five subject modules required for the HiSET, it increases their level of self-confidence and belief in their ability to succeed. This then motivates them to take and complete additional occupational skill training which provides greater opportunity in the workforce for self-sufficiency.

Thank you Wells Fargo for your generous support!
Our Business Specialists Team
The Business Specialist team will serve as a connection between your business and partner organizations at no cost, to provide a variety of services, information and resources. Please feel free to contact any of our Business Specialists.
Angelica Murillo-Virgen (559) 662-4502 amurillo-virgen@maderaworkforce.org
Bertha Vega (559) 662-4508 bvega@maderaworkforce.org
Jorge Espinosa (559) 662-4540 jespinosa@maderaworkforce.org
Pam Lowery (559) 662-4571 plowery@maderaworkforce.org