DATE: April 8, 2003
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT: Maximizing Resources to Better Serve the Workforce Development Needs of the Community

SUMMARY:
The San Diego Workforce Partnership was created in 1974 with the formation of a joint powers agreement between the City of San Diego and the County of San Diego. The San Diego Workforce Partnership is a regional organization that provides job training, recruitment, and retention programs.

The San Diego Workforce Partnership, in an endeavor to serve more of the community, would like to begin discussions with both the City and County of San Diego on the feasibility and desire to locate some Workforce Partnership programs and resources in public libraries. The County Library Program Services Division is currently undergoing a long-term strategic plan reassessment and this provides an excellent opportunity to begin this discussion taking into account the overall strategy for County libraries.

RECOMMENDATION:
Chairman Greg Cox and Supervisor Ron Roberts:

Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to explore the feasibility of partnering with the San Diego Workforce Partnership to maximize existing programs and resources at County libraries to better meet the workforce development needs of the community and report back to the Board of Supervisors in 120 days.

Fiscal Impact:
There are no fiscal impacts associated with this recommendation.

BACKGROUND:
The San Diego Workforce Partnership was created in 1974 with the formation of a joint powers agreement between the City of San Diego and the County of San Diego. The San Diego Workforce Partnership is a regional organization that provides job training, recruitment, and retention programs. The San Diego Workforce Partnership is currently serving residents with nine locations throughout the County. The locations offer a wide range of services including:

  • Career Counseling
  • Job Referrals
  • Multimedia Resource Rooms
  • Job Search Services
  • Job Fairs
  • Training Programs

Over the past twenty-five years the San Diego Workforce Partnership has gained an excellent reputation as a valuable asset to San Diego job seekers and the business community. The organization serves as a link that brings County residents in touch with the specific public and private sector resources that can fulfill their employment needs.

In an attempt to reach out to more of the community, the San Diego Workforce Partnership has started discussions with the City of San Diego in an effort to bring more resources to communities that are not in close proximity to the Workforce Partnership’s current centers. This would allow the Workforce Partnership to bring both services and expertise closer to communities that may benefit from this resource.

The County of San Diego Library Program Services Division is currently working on its Strategic Planning Project. When completed in May, this program will outline a three-year plan that allows the County libraries to better serve the needs of residents with physical, cultural, and educational challenges. This reassessment and strategic planning process seems like a logical time to also explore the possibility of partnering with the San Diego Workforce Partnership at County libraries in order to provide even more resources to the community. Many residents already use public libraries to assist in job search activities, and together with the Workforce Partnership, we have the opportunity to build upon existing County resources.

Approval of today’s recommendations will allow for a thorough analysis of the opportunities for corporation between the San Diego Work Force Partnership and the County.

We urge your support.

Respectfully submitted,

GREG COX
Chairman

RON ROBERTS
Supervisor, Fourth District