11 statewide projects have been funded to provide key services to support individuals in workforce programs

May 2, 2024 – Sacramento, CA – The Foundation for California Community Colleges, in partnership with the California Workforce Development Board and the Labor & Workforce Development Agency,  is pleased to announce $4.2 million in grant funding through the Breaking Barriers to Employment Initiative. This second round of funding, made possible through SB 101, will support 11 new statewide grantees.

The Breaking Barriers to Employment initiative aims to ensure that individuals from target populations receive the necessary supplemental, supportive, remedial, and wraparound services they need to successfully enter, participate in, and complete workforce and education programs that lead to quality jobs. This includes a focus on workers historically excluded from employment opportunities and economic prosperity, including veterans, refugees, formerly incarcerated individuals, women of color, and immigrants. 

“Many employment success stories from our public systems are the fruit of partnerships with complementary groups who are mission-aligned. Through Breaking Barriers, grantees have space to make connections with one another, strengthen their existing partnerships, and design community-centered programs that bear more fruit,” said Tim Aldinger, Executive Director of Workforce Development for the Foundation for California Community Colleges.

Examples of projects receiving funding include: 

• $500,000 for the Hospitality Industry and Training Education – Trains formerly incarcerated individuals and other target populations in its registered Line Cook/Chef de Partie Apprenticeship program. 
• $499,999 for Lao Family Community Development, Inc. – This project aims to break and reduce barriers to entry into specialized healthcare sectors. In collaboration with the Sacramento Employment Training Agency (SETA), the project will increase advancement opportunities, improve inclusiveness, diversity, and equity, and provide access to quality jobs to people of lower socioeconomic backgrounds. 
• $493,042 for the San Diego Workforce Partnership – Offers two distinct career pathways to serve job seekers with high employment barriers: CyberHire and Construction Career Jumpstart. These programs offer training in Information Technology (IT) support and construction. Both programs offer comprehensive, specialized wraparound supportive services and 1:1 case management. 

A complete list of awardees can be found on the CWDB’s website. To learn more about Breaking Barriers, visit here.

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The Foundation for California Community Colleges works to benefit students, colleges, and communities by accelerating paths to economic and social mobility, strengthening communities, and reducing barriers to opportunities for all Californians. FoundationCCC is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization founded in 1998. It serves as the official statewide nonprofit organization supporting the California Community Colleges, the largest system of higher education in the nation. For more information, visit www.foundationccc.org. 

The California Workforce Development Board works in partnership with workers, employers, local workforce development boards, education partners, and other stakeholders to build an inclusive High Road economy defined by equity and quality jobs with accessible pathways to them, particularly for disadvantaged Californians who have been systemically locked out of economic prosperity and face barriers to employment.