To: Board of Supervisors
From: County Administrative Office
SUBJECT:
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Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Fiscal Year 2017-18 Supplemental Budget (4/5th Vote Required)
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors approve the attached supplemental budget in Fund 1120, Budget Unit 287 (4/5th vote required).
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
California Workforce Development Board and State of California Employment Development Department
DISCUSSION:
The California Workforce Development Board, in partnership with the State of California Employment Development Department, has awarded $450,000 in Regional Plan Implementation funding to the Humboldt County Workforce Development Board (HC-WDB) and County of Humboldt Economic Development. Based on a growing demand to fill trades occupations, industry feedback, and priorities set forth in the Humboldt County Regional Workforce Plan, identifying trades and Career Technical Education as priorities, the funds will support the implementation of a Humboldt Trades Academy.
In the spring of 2017, the Northern Humboldt High School District announced that a very successful Career Technical Education program called Building Trades was being dissolved. The Building Trades program had provided high school students the opportunity to participate in building a house from the ground up, annually. The program had tremendous support from industry and local business across Humboldt and concern for the loss of this valued program was voiced at a subsequent school board meeting. In response, industry was invited to a roundtable discussion facilitated by an industry champion from O&M Industries and the HC-WDB Chair. Key priorities emerged leading to three working groups: 1) rebranding/marketing Trades careers; 2) seed funding and sustainability; and 3) development of a regional training program.
The industry group includes representation from O&M Industries, Danco Builders, Forbusco Lumber, Maples Plumbing, Hooven, Inc., Evergreen Landscape, JLF Construction, Azalea Realty, LACO Associates, SJR Masonry, Humboldt Builders Exchange, Bay Tank and Boiler Works, McKeever Energy, DTM Developers, Kramer Construction, McCullough Construction, Miller Farms and Pacific Builders. The industry team and working groups will continue to meet to support the development of the Humboldt Trades Academy.
Humboldt County Office of Education (HCOE) will serve as the lead agency providing oversight for developing and implementing the Humboldt Trades Academy. The Academy aims to deliver quality curriculum, project-based learning, and a connection to employment and trades occupations through a mobile classroom that will rotate between ail the high schools in Humboldt County. The Fieldbrook Fire Department has donated the trailer and renovations will take place in spring. A Summer Bridge Program will launch in the summer of 2018 and will lead to the Humboldt Trades Academy starting in the fall of
2018. HCOE will hire an Education/Industry Liaison to coordinate and deliver the regional program. Additionally, marketing materials, classroom supplies, and professional development will be provided for staff and faculty. The goal is to increase awareness of living wage opportunities and to bring awareness and recognition that trades careers are a viable and credible option. Students graduating from the academy will understand advanced training options, be better prepared to fill the growing demand of local occupations and have access to good paying jobs and fulfilling careers.
The contract for this funding was brought before your Board for approval on February 27, 2018. At that time, it was uncertain if any of the funding would be expended during fiscal year 2017-18; therefore, the request for the supplemental budget was not included with that Board report. Since then, HCOE has submitted invoices for the current fiscal year necessitating the need for this supplemental budget.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Overall, Humboldt will receive $450,000 in Regional Implementation Plan funding. HCOE will be utilizing $367,500 of the funding to implement the academy, hire an Education/Industry Liaison, host a Summer Bridge Program, renovate and outfit a trailer for a mobile classroom, and develop outreach and marketing materials. It is anticipated HCOE will utilize $60,000 of their total allocation this current fiscal year.
Receipt of these funds will have no impact on the county's General Fund.
This action supports the Board's Strategic Framework by supporting business, workforce development and the creation of private sector jobs.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Humboldt County Office of Education
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Your board could choose to not approve this supplemental budget. This alternative is not recommended, as alternative funding does not exist in the current budget to cover these expenses.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-6
Meeting of: 2/27/18