SACRAMENTO – On September 25, 2015, the State of California’s Employment Training Panel approved more than $11 million to train more than 12,880 workers throughout California. In total, the panel approved 42 training contracts aimed at supporting job creation and retention while increasing opportunities for workers through the development of job skills and training. The Employment Training Panel (ETP) provides funding to employers to assist in upgrading the skills of their workers through training that leads to good paying, long-term jobs.
The ETP was created in 1982 by the California State Legislature and is funded by California employers through a special payroll tax. There are millions of dollars in this account accessible to employers each year. The ETP is a funding agency, not a training agency; therefore employers can determine their own training needs and who provides their training.
“These training contracts are significant economic development tools for businesses and their employees,” said Stewart Knox, the Employment Training Panel’s Executive Director. “Workers receive job training for well-paying jobs, and businesses can grow their workforce and revenue.”
The Employment Training Panel is the state’s premier program supporting job creation and retention through training. Since its creation in 1982, the panel reimburses employers for the costs of training existing workers, funds training for unemployed workers to re-enter the workforce, and helps to ensure California businesses have the skilled workers they need to remain competitive.
After a business owner submits an application for training funds, the application will be developed into a training agreement for Panel approval. The applicant can begin training as soon as the training agreement is approved by the Panel. Generally, this entire process takes two months.
Homeboy Industries Receives $244,640 in training funds
One of the contracts approved will give Homeboy Industries $244,640 to train 80 current workers and 20 newly hired employees at its businesses in Los Angeles and Culver City. Founded by Father Gregory Boyle in 1988, Homeboy Industries is a non-profit organization that offers job training and support services to formerly gang -involved and previously incarcerated individuals. According to Homeboy Industries, its social enterprise model of recruitment, hiring and training is recognized as the largest and most successful gang intervention and re-entry program in the world. Its business lines include Homeboy Bakery, Homeboy Grocery, Homegirl Café, Homeboy Diner at City Hall, Homeboy Industries Food Truck and Homeboy Silkscreen/Embroidery.
Homeboy Industries has grown its food manufacturing and silkscreen businesses, and workforce training can help its enterprises increase production and revenue, and allow the company to serve more clients in its social programs, including case management, mental health, education, tattoo removal, and employment services.
According to Father Gregory Boyle, S.J., of Homeboy Industries, “The funds provided by ETP will allow us to continue to provide hope, training, and support to formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated men and women allowing them to redirect their lives and become contributing members of our community.”
For more information about the program, please visit http://www.etp.ca.gov, or contact The Grady Firm for more information on how to apply to this program.
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