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Approve the final Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) North Bay Regional Plan and Solano County Local Workforce Plan for submission to the California Workforce Development Board; and Authorize Board Chair to Sign the Solano County Local Workforce Plan
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Published Notice Required? Yes _ _ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes _ _ No _ X_
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Workforce Development Board (WDB) of Solano County recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve the North Bay Regional and Solano County Local Workforce Plan for submission to the California Workforce Development Board; and
2. Authorize the Board Chair to sign the Solano County Local Workforce Plan.
SUMMARY:
The 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 modified regional workforce plan to the State as part of the North Bay Region.
The Board of Supervisors received a presentation on the draft Regional and Local Workforce Plans on February 25, 2025. At that time, the Board also held a public hearing on the plans and opened the 30-day public comment period. No public comments were received on the Solano County Local Workforce Plan.
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 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 Unified Strategic Workforce Plan <https://cwdb.ca.gov/plans_policies/2024-2027-state-plan/> for the state that provides policy direction for the state’s workforce development system. Local WDBs are required to periodically review and possibly update the Plans. Requirements for regional and local plan submissions can be found in state directive WSD24-09 Regional and Local Planning Guidance for PY 2025 - 2028 <https://edd.ca.gov/en/jobs_and_training/Active_Directives/>, released December 20, 2024.
Planning Process and Timeline
Stakeholder engagement and public notices were held, per directive, to solicit public feedback. Over 40 organizations, businesses, and stakeholders participated in the stakeholder engagement sessions. The Local Board provided a 30-day opportunity for public comment from February 25 - March 27, 2025. No public comments were received. The Solano Workforce Board approved the Local Workforce Plan at its March 21, 2025 meeting. Once approved by the Board of Supervisors, WDB staff will compile signatures for final submission to the State of California by the due date of April 27, 2025.
Regional Plan Overview
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 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 Human 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
Countywide implementation of these workforce strategies will require strong partnerships with education providers, economic development entities, community organizations and stakeholders, and local government.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to approve the regional and local plans. This is not recommended as these plans have been developed through a community planning process and are required.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County Administrator’s Office has been consulted and concurs with the recommendation.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION