A recent $1 million award from the High Road Training Partnership (HRTP) allows the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County (WDBCCC) to expand an innovative job program designed to achieve equity for more people in Contra Costa County's underserved communities.

The Paramedic 4 Equity (P4E) program allows emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to train to become paramedics while earning a paycheck. 

Microbusinesses and nonprofits in Alameda, Contra Costa and El Dorado counties that were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 public health restrictions can apply for funds from the California Office of the Small Business Advocate.

The COVID-19 pandemic had many people searching for professions that are not susceptible to shutdowns due to health or economic crises. Jacquelyne, a single mom of four, found Rubicon Programs, which connected her with not only training for a new career in the medical field, but wraparound services such as financial coaching, legal services and parenting classes.

Interested in a career with the state of California? Already have a state job and want to get promoted? Sign up to learn about state jobs in our workshops on March 7, 14 and 28. Click the link below to learn more.

International Women's Day is March 8, 2023. As part of its theme of #EmbraceEquity (sounds like the WDBCCC's overarching theme of #AchieveEquity), event organizers offer tips for women to get the career they want and deserve. The article also features prime employers for women.

Patience Ofodu, our Business Services manager, is moving on after nearly 11 years with WDBCCC. But she's not going very far! She will be joining one of our partners, the East Bay Economic Development Alliance, to assist with regional economic development.

We appreciate all the hard work, dedication and expertise Patience brought to the position and wish her well as she pursues new opportunities. We will be searching for her successor in the coming weeks.

Stay tuned for a future announcement in this newsletter.