The California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, Workforce Development Board, and Employment Development Department awarded five entities, including the San Diego Workforce Partnership (SDWP), with a total of $2.5 million in grants to assist in the coordination of resources under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to serve the English Language Learner (ELL) population.
The goal of this initiative is to promote increased access, create and enhance program structure and availability, and provide supportive services within the workforce system for California’s ELL population. SDWP’s program design is focused on creating stronger ties in East County between the workforce development system and adult education providers by looking to the International Rescue Committee, a community based organization focused on serving immigrants and refugees, as a navigator to enhance workforce services and create career pathways. They will do so in collaboration with the America’s Job Center of California site in East County, run by Grossmont Unified High School District, adult education and other community based organizations.
The ELL and Immigrant Workforce Grant program is made possible by the WIOA Title I Governor’s Discretionary funds. The five awardees, selected through a competitive process, are as follows:
- San Diego Workforce Partnership
- Orange County Development Board
- Sacramento Employment and Training Agency
- Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network
- Madera County Workforce Investment Corporation
Each grantee has been awarded $500,000 to carry out the purpose of the grant. For more information, contact BrookeValle@workforce.org.