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Receive a presentation from the Workforce Development Board of Solano County on the Draft Solano Local and North Bay Regional Workforce Plans; Conduct a public hearing on the Local and Regional Plans; and Officially open the 30-day public comment period
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Published Notice Required? Yes _X _ No _ _
Public Hearing Required? Yes _X _ No _ _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Workforce Development Board (WDB) of Solano County recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive a presentation from Heather Henry from the WDB on the Draft Solano Local and North Bay Regional Workforce Plans;
2. Conduct a public hearing on the Local and Regional Plans; and
3. Officially open the 30-day public comment period
SUMMARY:
The Workforce Development Board (WDB) and the Solano County Board of Supervisors last approved the 4-Year Regional and Local Plans in 2021. Under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), new regional and local plans for the period of July 2025 - June 2029 are required to ensure plans remain current and account for “changes in labor market and economic conditions or in other factors affecting the implementation of the local plan.” The State of California has modified their state plan, which requires that local boards update their plans to keep them consistent with the policy direction of the state plan. Solano County must also submit a regional workforce plan to the state as part of the North Bay Region which includes Solano, Napa, Marin, Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino Counties.
The North Bay Region and Solano County must submit workforce plans by April 27, 2025. A significant amount of stakeholder engagement and public involvement is required as part of both the regional and local planning process. In addition, specific partners identified by the state are required as part of stakeholder engagement. Research Development Associates has been contracted to complete the Regional Plan.
The Draft Local and Regional plans are presented today for review and input.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The WDB does not receive general funds from the County. The work in preparing and finalizing these Plans has been accounted for with baseline WIOA allocations and regional implementation funds. The State’s approval of the Plans will allow WIOA entitlement grant funds to flow to the North Bay and local workforce boards as anticipated.
DISCUSSION:
Background of Workforce Plans
Under WIOA, regional and local plans are required every four years. The State of California finalized their 2024-2027 California Unified Strategic Workforce Development Plan <https://cwdb.ca.gov/plans_policies/2024-2027-state-plan/> that provides policy direction for the state’s workforce development system.
As outlined under WIOA Section 106, Regional Plans provide a roadmap for alignment of resources and investments to meet specific outcomes with workforce regions. Regional plans are used to identify priority industry sectors, articulate how workforce regions will build intentionality around industry sector engagement, drive workforce development outcomes across multiple jurisdictions, and expand on-ramps to career pathways for individuals who experience barriers to employment.
As outlined in WIOA Section 108, Local Plans provide an action plan for a local workforce area by aligning strategic objectives with the regional plan, driving coordination with local partners, and highlighting key service strategies.
These Plans are for a four-year period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2029. Local boards are required to periodically review and possibly update the Plans. Requirements for regional and local plan submissions can be found in state directive -WSD24-10 Regional and Local Planning Guidance for PY 2025-2 <https://edd.ca.gov/siteassets/files/jobs_and_training/pubs/wsd24-10.pdf>8, released December 20, 2024.
Planning Process and Timeline
Stakeholder engagement and public notices are required as part of both the regional and local planning process. Stakeholders participating in the planning processes include, but are not limited to, employers, labor organizations, education partners, human services and housing partners, as well as community-based organizations providing services to target populations. Local Boards must provide a 30-day opportunity for public comment prior to submission of the local and regional plans. Any comments that express disagreement with the regional or local plans must be included in the final submission.
Plan Development Timeline:
• Stakeholder Engagement Sessions and Interviews were held in December 2024 - January 2025
o December 11, 2024 - Job Training Stakeholder Session
o January 7, 2025 - One-Stop Partners’ Stakeholder Session
o January 7, 2025 - Community Stakeholders Session
o January 9, 2025 - Youth-Serving Stakeholder Session
• January 24, 2025 - Presentation of Draft Regional and Local Plan concepts at the Solano County Workforce Board of Directors Meeting
• February 25, 2025 - Presentation of Draft Regional and Local Plan to Solano County’s Board of Supervisors, Public Hearing, and Opening of Public Comment Period
• March 21, 2025 - Final Presentation of Plan to the Workforce Board of Directors
• March 27, 2025 - Closing of Public Comment Period
• April 22, 2025 - Final Approval and Signature of Local Plan by the Solano County Board of Supervisors
• April 27, 2025 - Submission of the Final Regional and Local Plans to the State
Any comments that express disagreement with the Regional or Local Plans will be included in the final submission to the State.
Regional Plan Overview
The Draft Regional Plan is included as Attachment A and can also be found at: <https://solanoemployment.org/wioa-guidance>.
The following key elements are included in the North Bay Regional Plan:
• Analysis of current regional employment and industry labor market data
• Identification of regional priority sectors: Healthcare and Social Assistance, Manufacturing, Public Sector, and Transportation and Logistics
• Identification of regional emerging sectors: Climate and Sustainability and Life Sciences and Biotechnology
• Description of regional activities that align with the state’s workforce indicators: Fostering Demand-Driven Skills Attainment; Enabling Upward Mobility for All Californians; and Aligning, Coordinating, and Integrating Programs and Services
Local Plan Overview
The Draft Local Plan is included as Attachment B and can also be found at: <https://solanoemployment.org/wioa-guidance>.
The Workforce Development Board’s vision for the future of workforce development over the next four program years is focused on supporting the community in adapting to today’s changing workforce landscape, while connecting to the vision and objectives outlined in the California Unified Strategic Workforce Plan and the North Bay Regional Workforce Plan. The WDB seeks to proactively prepare job seekers, workers, businesses, and the workforce ecosystem for a changing training and economic landscape.
The WDB identified five key workforce strategies that are outlined in the local plan:
1. Support the changing landscape of occupational training through partnerships and development of alternative skill-building routes.
2. Evolve career services to meet the workforce resilience, technological adaptation, and mental wellness needs of job seekers and workers.
3. Collaborate with local school systems to expand career exploration and experiential learning opportunities for the emerging workforce.
4. Build opportunities for local employers to increase employer-based training and improve retention strategies.
5. Strengthen partner awareness of labor market trends and available participant resources in the community.
Additional key and required elements are included in the local plan:
• Connection to California’s workforce policy objectives
• Connection to the North Bay regional workforce plan
• America’s Job Centers of California (AJCC) partner coordination
• Coordination with state strategic partners
o CalFresh under Health and Social Services
o Department of Child Support Services
o Individuals with Disabilities and Competitive Integrated Employment
o English Language Learners and Foreign Born
o Veteran-serving organizations and entities
o Environmental Sustainability partners
• Description and coordination of Title I Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth services
• Grant administration descriptions.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to review the regional and local plans or give guidance to staff on what changes are warranted. Changes to the Regional Plan would require consensus across all three workforce boards in the North Bay.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County Administrator’s Office has been consulted and concurs with the recommendation.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION