01/19 | County Holiday (offices closed)

01/20 | Divine Agape Hiring Event

01/21 | Clean/Green Working Group

01/27 | New Year New Career Job Fair

01/29 | Healthcare Working Group

02/26 | Manufacturing Working Group

Select flyers with complete information can be found below in this newsletter. Please contact us at WDBVC@venturacounty.gov for more details.

Dear Board Members and Partners,

As we begin 2026, I want to thank our board members, partners, employers, and community leaders for your continued commitment to Ventura County’s workforce system. The new year brings a renewed sense of purpose and opportunity as we build on the strong foundation established through our collective work.

In 2026, the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County will advance new programs and partnerships that expand access to high-quality training, strengthen career pathways, and support job seekers and businesses as our local economy continues to evolve. Guided by our priority goals, we will focus on improving service delivery, deepening employer engagement, and increasing equitable access to opportunities for individuals facing employment barriers.

This year is about momentum, alignment, and impact. With your leadership and collaboration, we will continue to innovate, respond to workforce needs, and create lasting economic mobility for Ventura County residents. I look forward to another year of partnership and shared success as we move forward together.

With gratitude,

Rebecca Evans

Executive Director

Workforce Development Board of Ventura County

New Certified Welding and Testing Facility Opens in Camarillo

Ventura County has reached an important milestone in strengthening career pathways for residents with the opening of a new certified welding education and testing facility in Camarillo. Located at the Ventura County Office of Education Career Education Center, this is the first and only American Welding Society-accredited testing facility in the county.

The new facility expands access to hands-on welding training and nationally recognized certifications for high school students, adult learners, and incumbent workers. By offering ce-demand, high-wage careers in manufacturing, construction, and related industries.

The ribbon cutting event brought together education, workforce, and labor leaders from across the region, including Rebecca Evans, Executive Director of the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County, and Anthony Mireles, Board Member of the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County and Business Manager for LIUNA Local 585. Their participation highlights the strong alignment between workforce development, labor, and education partners in building a skilled local workforce.

This new facility represents a major investment in Ventura County’s talent pipeline and supports the region’s broader efforts to connect residents to quality jobs while meeting the needs of local employers.

Senior Helpers Hiring Event & Open House

On December 11, 2025, the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDBVC) staff, Rebecca Tafoya and Roxana Gamboa, in collaboration with Senior Helpers of Thousand Oaks, CA, hosted a successful Hiring Event and Open House at their facility located in Thousand Oaks, CA. This event brought together six job seekers at the facility.

The event provided job seekers with the opportunity to engage directly with the hiring manager, who led guided tours and answered their questions. Job seekers have the chance to complete job applications onsite, interview with the hiring manager, and one was even offered a job and began the onboarding process. Senior Helpers generously provided refreshments and light snacks to enhance the networking experience for all attendees.

Overall, the Hiring Event was a success, helping both job seekers and Glen Park Senior Helpers connect. The event demonstrated the importance of co by bringing the applicants and job seekers to their place of business.

Congratulations to Micah Bailey on Earning His Master’s in Public Administration

The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County is proud to congratulate Micah Bailey, Business Solutions Specialist, on the successful completion of his Master of Public Administration degree from Southern Utah University.

The Master of Public Administration program is designed to prepare professionals for leadership roles in public service, government, and nonprofit organizations. The program focuses on public policy, program evaluation, ethical leadership, and effective management, providing graduates with the tools needed to address complex community and organizational challenges.

Micah’s commitment to professional growth while continuing to support employers and partners across Ventura County reflects his dedication to public service and workforce development. His achievement strengthens our team and enhances WDBVC’s ability to deliver high-quality, employer-focused solutions.

Please join us in congratulating Micah on this important accomplishment. We are proud of his hard work and look forward to his continued impact in our region.

Labor Market Insights

Lightcast Q4 2025 Data Set 

Governors’ Workforce Development Efforts In 2025

Throughout 2025, Governors across the nation demonstrated extraordinary leadership in transforming workforce development systems to meet the evolving needs of their states. From expanding apprenticeship programs to strengthening career pathways, state leaders took decisive action to address workforce shortages, promote economic mobility and prepare workers for the jobs of tomorrow. Governors and their staff also convened regularly to share best practices and forged new partnerships to ensure their workforce systems remain responsive to both employer needs and worker aspirations.

Read more here. 

 From the National Association of Workforce Boards

Congress Has a Full Plate as New Year Begins

As the January 30, 2026 funding deadline for the majority of the federal government approaches, Congress is working more proactively toward completing appropriations bills that would fund federal agencies for the remainder of the fiscal year (through September 30, 2026). The full House of Representatives approved a three-bill ‘minibus’ that includes funding for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS), Department of Energy, and Department of Interior, and EPA. Those funding bills will now move to the Senate for further consideration. An important note that this minibus does contain language that would place guardrails on the Administration’s use of funds for certain programs.

Meanwhile, House and Senate Appropriators are continuing negotiations on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations Bill. The expectation, as we have reported from congressional staff and Members, is that any final Labor, HHS, Education funding bill would contain funding levels for WIOA Title I, and other workforce connected programs, at levels consistent with a previous Senate proposal (very close to current funding levels). It is extremely unlikely that the funding proposals from the House will be advanced. Senate Democrats will also continue to push for a formal vote on language restricting the current Inter-Agency Agreements (IAAs) between the Departments of Education and Labor. We don’t expect IAA specific language to be adopted but other language around timing of the release of formula programs, like WIOA Title I and II, could be included.

This is promising: A second government shutdown at the end of January seems less likely at this point. We will remain engaged with congressional members and staff as these bills are finalized.

Another key issue confronting Congress in January is the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies for individuals purchasing healthcare plans from the federal and state healthcare exchanges. This week, 17 House Republicans joined Democrats in advancing a three-year extension of the enhanced subsidies. However, a similar bill previously failed a Senate vote where 60 votes (7 Republicans) would be needed for passage. A bipartisan group of Senators remains engaged in discussions on additional healthcare policies but nothing final has emerged from that effort.

DOL Rescinds WIOA Sec. 188 Interpretation

This week the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) rescinded preexisting guidance pertaining to Section 188 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)—a portion of the legislation which prohibits discrimination within workforce programs. Previous guidance, issued under the Biden Administration in 2022, clarified that DOL interpreted the concept of “sex” within this portion of the law as inclusive one’s sexual orientation and gender identity. The move to rescind this guidance this week reverses this interpretation for the purposes of implementing this portion of WIOA legislation moving forward. Read more about this development here.

House Committee to Examine AI Policies Next Week

On Wednesday, January 14, the House Education and Workforce Committee will hold a hearing entitled ‘Building an AI-Ready America.’ There will be a direct workforce connection to the hearing content. You can watch the hearing here.

Services for Job Seekers

We’re here to help you in your job search. Our services are available regardless of income or background and at no cost. If you are a job seeker and would like to learn more about our no-cost services, check out our Job Seeker Service Guide.

Services for Businesses 

Ventura County businesses can take advantage of a wide range of services at no cost from our Business Solutions Team. If you are a business and would like to learn more about our no-cost services, check out our Business Solutions Service Guide.

We're on Social Media!

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/wdbvc

Facebook - facebook.com/WDBVC

Instagram - instagram.com/venturacountywdb

5 Strategies to Help Boost the WDBVC's Social Media Presence:

1.  Follow our social media pages

2.  Like and react to posts

3.  Share our posts

4.  Share your own post

5.  Invite your network to follow us.

"Elevator Pitch" for the Workforce Development Board

Sharing our services for job seekers:

"We know the job market's tight in Ventura County. What the Workforce Development Board does, and what I'm involved in, is connecting the dots. We're getting people the skills they need for available jobs and careers. We're talking about training, resume help, and job search, and we're focusing on what employers are looking for now. If you or someone you know is trying to get ahead, it's a resource worth checking out. We're serious about building a stronger workforce here."

Sharing our services for businesses and employers:

"Finding talent is a real challenge, isn't it? The Workforce Development Board is the place to go for highly trained and skilled workers. They offer businesses both large and small potential team members highly trained in sought-after careers like cybersecurity and healthcare, and, as a business, you will receive no-cost HR resources, and they can even host job fairs for you. They're rebuilding our workforce in Ventura County. If you need talent, let me connect you."

Train and mentor a talented young person at no cost to your company with the Public Service Fellowship Program. 🤝 You'll gain a dedicated team member and play a vital role in building the next generation of professionals. 💼

👉 Ready to take the next step? Find out more by visiting workforceventuracounty.org/public-service-fellowship-program or calling 805-627-3596.

Executive Committee Meeting

January 15, 2026

9:00 am - 11:00 am 

VCOE Conference Center

5100 Adolfo Road, 

Camarillo, CA 93012

Performance and Evaluation Committee Meeting

February 12, 2026

9:00 am - 11:00 am 

VCOE Conference Center

5100 Adolfo Road, 

Camarillo, CA 93012

Full Board Meeting

February 19, 2026

9:00 am - 11:00 am 

VCOE Conference Center

5100 Adolfo Road, 

Camarillo, CA 93012