Developing a Quality Workforce!
April 2019

Vol III, Issue 2
Oakhurst and Madera Job Fairs
The Madera Workforce Assistance Center hosted two successful job fairs during the months of March and April. Every spring the events are held in Oakhurst and Madera.
On March 14, the Eastern Madera County job fair attracted dozens of job seekers who were able to engage with sixteen employers from different industries, including hospitality, healthcare, retail, and tourism.
The Madera Job Fair took place at the Madera District Fairgrounds on April 4 th . The Hatfield Hall saw 60 employers in jobs ranging from manufacturing to healthcare. The event was sponsored by the Madera County Department of Social Services and was staffed by the Madera County Workforce Investment Corporation. The purpose of the event is to get employers connected to job seekers in one day, all in one place. 400 job seekers were present and had the opportunity to meet dozens of recruiters and HR Managers face to face.
The Madera Workforce Assistance Center acknowledges the kind contributions from the following businesses:

·      Constellation Brands/Mission Bell Winery
·      Savemart Supermarkets
·      Pak N Save
·      Walmart
·      Starbucks
·      Sam’s Club
·      Vons
·      Raley's
·      John & Diana Dean.
 
If your business would like to participate in future job fairs, please contact Jorge Espinosa at (559) 662-4540 or via email jespinosa@maderaworkforce.org
Get It Right from the Start
You Are Invited to Attend
Federal/State Basic Payroll
Tax Seminar

Tuesday May 14, 2019
9:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Fresno Regional Workforce
Development Board
Business Services Center
7475 N. Palm Ave, Suite 105
Fresno, CA 93711
Disability Focus Tax Incentives - Employers and Individuals with Disabilities
Businesses accommodating or hiring employees with disabilities may qualify for tax credits and deductions, and individuals with disabilities may qualify to contribute to a tax-advantaged savings account to fund disability expenses. The WorkforceGPS Disability and Employment Community, an online learning one-stop destination for the American Job Center network, people with disabilities, and employers, provides a resource page on “Disability Focus Tax Incentives - Employers and Individuals with Disabilities” that includes information about different financial incentives available.
Hiring People with Criminal Backgrounds Is Easier Than You Think
Second-chance hiring—recruiting and hiring people with criminal backgrounds and eliminating obstacles to those efforts—is building momentum among policymakers, say business community leaders and worker advocates.

Workforce Media
In this episode, you’ll hear from a business owner and a business services specialist about the benefits of engaging in the workforce development system and discover the qualities that employers are looking for in prospective employees and why business professionals should consider serving on their local Workforce Development Board.

Listen HERE
Madera County Unemployment Rate
The unemployment rate in Madera County was 8.2 percent in February 2019, down from a revised 8.6 percent in January 2019 and unchanged the year-ago estimate of 8.2 percent. This compares with an unadjusted unemployment rate of 4.4 percent for California and 4.1 percent for the nation during the same period.  

View Madera County unemployment trend for the past six months and all Central Valley Counties unemployment rate for February 2019 by clicking HERE.
Workforce Development Board
The Workforce Development Board (WDB) is a team of private and public sector partners who share a common mission committed to the economic health of Madera County by providing leadership and guidance resulting in a quality employment and training system. The Workforce Development Board is the convener and facilitator for the programmatic oversight of the local workforce development system through the America’s Job Center – Madera County Workforce Assistance Center.
Picture above: Members of the Workforce Development Board listen to a success story from Jessica Mendoza (CAPMC) and her participant Maria Munguia