Execute Growing Opportunities report recommendations related to self-sufficiency

Goal 1: An Inclusive Community of Self-sufficient Residents
Description

Workforce Development has been identified in City Council's annual Work Plan. The activities regarding this area are managed and tracked here.

Why and What it Achieves

The Growing Opportunity report provides an overview of the local workforce climate and examines barriers to employment for low-income City residents such as basic literacy, workplace skills, transportation, and childcare. The report also presents numerous strategies for addressing these barriers. By implementing the strategies/initiatives in the Growing Opportunity report, the Strategic Action Team on Workforce Development (SAT) will help City residents achieve self-sufficiency by ensuring that barriers to employment so they can obtain and retain jobs.

Status

During FY18, the Office of Economic Development has offered eight GO training programs that provided in-demand workforce training to 45 City residents. OED staff hosted two major hiring events/job fairs that assisted nearly 100 local employers in their efforts to hire job seekers. In addition to the job fairs/hiring events hosted by the Office of Economic Development, staff also regularly participates in the weekly job fairs held at the Virginia Workforce Center. The Office of Economic Development hosted the Women and Minority Business Expo and the Construction Contractor Meet-up, both of these events were offered for the first time.  The Downtown Job Center provided transportation assistance to 36 City residents through the GO Ride program allowing residents to be able to ride the bus to look for work and also to get to work once they obtain employment.