NR No. 24-08
Contact: Loree Levy/Aubrey Henry
916-654-9029
mediainquiries@edd.ca.gov
SACRAMENTO – The Employment Development Department (EDD) announced today that it has awarded $995,000 to the San Diego Workforce Partnership (SDWP) to aid local recovery efforts in response to unprecedented storms throughout the area in early 2024. The atmospheric storms are expected to have lingering long-term impacts on business operations, residents, and San Diego County's workforce.
“During a state of emergency, we must quickly assess how workers and businesses are impacted and assist our most vulnerable communities in their recovery efforts,” said EDD Director Nancy Farias.
“We’re grateful to receive this funding from the Employment Development Department and California Workforce Development System,” said Tony Young, interim, President and CEO of San Diego Workforce Partnership. “This is an opportunity to come together and focus on supporting San Diegans who were affected by the winter storms. We are dedicated to this effort, and this funding will enable us to provide critical assistance to those in need.
Through a network of partnerships, SDWP will quickly develop an effective plan of action to support the affected communities with a primary focus on impacted businesses and workers. SDWP will actively engage local employers through a communication campaign to provide comprehensive flood-relief information and will offer support in employee retention and recruitment efforts.
In addition to developing training and rapid reemployment support for affected workers, SDWP will provide participants with end-to-end supportive services, such as utility bill assistance and legal aid. SDWP will collaborate with its partners to create temporary jobs to help mitigate damage caused by these unprecedented floods. Funding will also allow SDWP to collect real-time data for informed decision-making in the face of future disaster-related emergencies.
Recent graduates of the San Diego Workforce Partnership Apprenticeship Readiness Program that trains individuals with the key on-the-job experience needed to pursue construction industry careers.
Funding for this grant was provided through discretionary funds made available to Governor Gavin Newsom in accordance with the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and administered by the EDD and the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency.
For more information about SDWP and its programs, contact SDWP Interim President & CEO, Tony Young, at 1-619-228-2900.