NR No. 25-02
Contact: Loree Levy/Greg Lawson
916-654-9029
mediainquiries@edd.ca.gov
What you need to know: California is investing in the education necessary for farmworkers to enter job training programs and transition to existing and high-paying jobs in agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, and information technology fields. Partnering with community-based resources, the Employment Development Department is committed to helping these essential workers improve the quality of their jobs and wages.
SACRAMENTO – The Employment Development Department (EDD) announced it has awarded $950,000 to the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County. The funding will support agricultural workers in Ventura County affected by the recent closures of Houweling’s Tomatoes and NB Farms. Local workers will receive job support services, including job training, literacy programs, career assessments, and career coaching to assist them in obtaining good paying jobs in their communities.
"California farmworkers feed the nation and are vital to putting food on our tables every day. We’re here to help them when they need it most," said EDD Director Nancy Farias. "Together with our partners in the community, we’ll deliver vital support to help transition workers to new jobs."
The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County will partner with education providers for classroom and hands-on training to help equip recently displaced workers for new employment opportunities.
"We are pleased to be able to access the additional assistance in order to assist workers from the two specific employers impacted by layoffs and closure," said Rebecca Evans, Executive Director of the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County. "This WIOA Additional Assistance funding will assist us in fulfilling our commitment to excellent services for workers, job seekers and employers in our region."
This grant is 100 percent federally funded by a grant totaling $950,000 from the U.S. Department of Labor.
For more information, please contact the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County’s Executive Director, Rebecca Evans, at (805) 477-5306.