Workforce and Talent Development Program

Ben StoneExecutive Director

Sonoma County Economic Development Board

WORKFORCE & TALENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

OUR PARTNERS

The EDB brings partners together to focus on a robust local

workforce and employment opportunities.

OUR PARTNERS• Workforce Investment Board• Job Link One-stop Career Center• Small Business Development Center• Community Action Partnership of Sonoma

County• Sonoma County Office of Education• Santa Rosa Junior College• Sonoma State University• Non-profits• Employers• And more

KEY PROGRAMS

•Workforce and Talent Development Program•Customized Workforce Trainings•On the Job Training•Team Workforce•Workforce Resource Guide• Job Market Tracker•Workforce Development Survey

WORKFORCE AND TALENT DEVELOPMENT

The Workforce and Talent Development (WTD) Program has been instrumental in building employer champions and preparing jobseekers for the pace of industry by developing an effective workforce pipeline.

WTD PROGRAM

In less than a year the WTD Program has:• Assisted over 150 companies recruit for 70

positions in a variety of growing industries• Leveraged over half a million dollars in federal

and state funds • Developed 4 customized trainings in Hybrid car

technology and lean manufacturing resulting in new jobs and higher wages

CUSTOMIZED TRAINING PROGRAM

In addressing the increasing skill gaps, the WTD program also: • Assists businesses in developing

customized workforce trainings to bridge those gaps.

• Helped Hybrid Technicians develop the first Hybrid Electric Vehicle Training Program in Sonoma County.

• Provided 96 hours of professional hybrid car training in order to keep up with evolving technology and ensure repair technicians stay competitive in the automotive industry.

ON THE JOB TRAINING

In partnership with the WIB and Sonoma County Job Link, the WTD program has successfully deployed an “On the Job Training” program. This program allows for Sonoma County employers to receive subsidies for the costs associated with hiring and training new employees.

TEAM WORKFORCE

The WTD Program also convened a special group of leaders from the community called “Team Workforce” to ensure that funds were given maximum leverage, and to ensure there weren’t overlaps in workforce and employer efforts.

WORKFORCE RESOURCE GUIDE

The EDB developed a workforce resource guide for employers, educating them about the funds available to them and highlighting best practices surrounding successful hires.

JOB MARKET TRACKER

The Job Market Tracker Report:• Provides a monthly analysis of real

time job postings from over 25,000 listings

• Identifies hiring trends in key industries

• Empowers the community to make well-informed decisions, facilitating strategic efforts that closely align with the dynamics of the local labor market.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SURVEY

The Annual Workforce Survey was developed to gather feedback from Human Resource Directors on the current workforce needs, and provide insights and resources into how to close the skills gap.

QUESTIONS?