HomeMy WebLinkAbout19I - WORK CENTER RELOCATION UPDATEw 0 • .
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE:
SEPTEMBER 6, 2016
SANA ANA WORK CENTER OFFICE
RELOCATION UPDATE
(STRATEGIC PLAN NO. 2,4A)
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CITY MA GER
RECOMMENDED ACTION
CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY:
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As Recommended
❑ As Amended
CJ Ordinance on tat Reading
❑ Ordinance on 2nd Reading
E7 Implementing Resolution
1-1 Set Public Hearing For
CONTINUED TO
1:111A111181"193
Receive and file the Santa Ana WORK Center relocation update.
DISCUSSION
The Santa Ana WORK Center (WORK Center) is a component of the City's economic
development efforts that provides dislocated worker services and facilitates Santa Ana based
businesses the opportunity to acquire skilled employees. In fiscal year 2015 -16, the WORK
Center served 26,910 people and invested over $774,000 in vocational skills training. More than
4,000 clients received one -on -one assistance with their resumes and 68% of the participants
were employed one quarter after completion of the workforce program. In addition, the WORK
Center's business services team visited 200 Santa Ana businesses promoting its customized
training, recruitment services, and rapid response efforts. The culmination of the WORK Center
staff efforts has contributed to the improvement of Santa Ana's employment levels and the
decline of the unemployment rate to its lowest levels since the great recession which as of June
30, 2016 is 5.2 %.
In April 2016, City staff and management from the Employment Development Department,
Department of Rehabilitation, OC Social Services, and Santa Ana College, the primary partners
that comprise the WORK Center began to explore the possibility of relocating and expanding
WORK Center services. The intent of this effort is to better serve our residents, the surrounding
business community, and locate to a new facility to increase classroom space. The WORK
Center is located at the Santa Ana Regional Transpiration Center (SARTC) and current
configuration of the facility no longer accommodates the needs of the partnership. Additionally,
with the implementation of the new federal Title I Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and
Title II Adult Education legislation, staff has held productive discussions with Santa Ana College
in co- locating basic skills and certificate programs which would further integrate and expedite
services for our common clients.
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Santa Ana WORK Center Office Relocation Update
September 6, 2016
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Given the facility needs and the goal to further integrate services with Santa Ana College, the
WORK Center staff and its primary partners have initiated site visits with four potential properties
which in addition to providing viable office and classroom space, will also provide adequate
parking and close proximity to public transportation. Staff anticipates selecting a new location
this fall and shortly thereafter will bring forward a recommendation and lease agreement to City
Council for consideration. WORK Center staff and its primary partners anticipate relocating in
early 2017.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
The relocation of the WORK Center offices allows the City to meet Goal #2 (Youth, Education,
Recreation), Objective #4 (Partner with groups and organizations to promote education, senior
services, job training and development for all Santa Ana residents), Strategy A (Partner with the
California Endowment, Santa Ana College, Chapman University, UCI, CSUF and other
institutions of higher education to design career pathway programs that support priority
workforce industries (Retail, healthcare, manufacturing, renewable energies) that results in faster
reemployment of Santa Ana's residents).
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact associated with this item.
Robert-Cortez
Special Assistant to the City Manager
RC /DS /II
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