Laura Campbell

This document presents the Employment Development Department's vision for modernization, emphasizing four key pillars: supporting customers, empowering employees, fostering collaboration across branches, and promoting continuous improvement. The plan aims to enhance customer service, integrate operations, provide modern tools, and cultivate a culture of innovation and teamwork within the department.

The committee discussed several policy-related items including revisions to guidelines for seasonal workers, a review of priority industries and their associated benefits within the organization's funding ecosystem, and the proposal to eliminate affiliates as a contractor category in favor of utilizing the existing group of employers framework.

The Panel discussed funding strategies and priorities for the upcoming fiscal year, including recommendations for priority industries, project caps, and reimbursement rates. Action items included the approval of an apprenticeship funding model and the adoption of revised medical skills training guidelines. Additionally, the Panel reviewed several single and multiple employer funding proposals, including those for various businesses and chambers of commerce, and addressed legislative updates concerning workforce development and workplace rights training. Discussions also covered grant awardees for the Social Entrepreneurs for Economic Development (SEED) program.

This Strategic Plan outlines the direction for The California Employment Training Panel from 2024 to 2027, serving as a roadmap to create and retain high-wage jobs with equitable access to training for career advancement. The plan focuses on five core goals: supporting California's workforce with sustainable jobs and career pathways, bolstering small businesses through private-public partnerships, contributing to the state's overall economic growth, enhancing internal operations through improved communication and engagement, and demonstrating a strong commitment to innovation in technology and data. The overarching vision is to be the premier resource for workforce training, promoting high wages and career progression, with a steadfast focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility for all workers.

The meeting agenda includes executive, legislative, budget, and policy committee reports. Key action items involve the review and approval of numerous funding proposals for various organizations and companies. Additionally, the panel will hear a presentation on medical skills guidelines, a report on Social Entrepreneurs for Economic Development grant awardees, and a review of Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program fund guidelines.