Workforce Board Receives $135,000 Grant

Workforce Board Receives $135,000 Grant
By Ines Bebea

FAIRFIELD - The Workforce Investment Board of Solano County received a grant for $135,475 from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s office to create a workforce task force for the manufacturing industry.

The grant will be used for training purposes with existing and new programs that will allow employees to gain skills in a changing industry.

The Workforce Investment Board is a private non-profit federally funded agency that provides workforce development services.

"Last year we heard from employers and their difficulties in finding skilled workers to fill their positions," said Curt Johnston, assistant director for the Economic Development Office of the City of Fairfield. "The need for new skills is not just in the manufacturing industry, but is an issue in other industries as well in Fairfield, Solano County and the region. But this initiative in the manufacturing industry will assist in job retention and preparation of the labor force."

Johnston added that Fairfield has made an educational commitment to develop a career development program in the manufacturing sector.

"Electricians, manufactures and mechanics need a higher skill level to do their jobs," said Johnston. "Their jobs now require that they integrate mechanics with technology."

Johnston said that through a collaborative effort between the City of Fairfield, Solano Community College, the Workforce Investment Board and the local employers, businesses will be able to retain and filled jobs.

"With the large number of manufacturing employers in the county like Anheuser-Busch, Jelly Belly and Clorox, this project will assist with their employment needs," said Robert Bloom, president of the Work Force Investment Board.

Bloom added that the grant will serve to build a pipeline from which employers will identify and recruit employees, offer educational opportunities to train new and old employees, and a system of retention and advancement on the job.

Reach Ines Bebea at 427-6934 or ibebea@dailyrepublic.net