E41: Opportunity in Action: Inside the NextGen Youth Program
Ventura County Works
In this episode, you'll discover how Ventura County’s NextGen program is helping young people ages 14 to 24 prepare for successful futures through hands-on job experience, education support, and personalized guidance. You’ll learn how the program removes barriers to employment by offering paid work opportunities, mentorship, career exploration, and essential life tools at no cost to participants. Whether you’re a student, a parent, or a community member, this conversation will give you insight into how NextGen empowers youth to build confidence, gain critical skills, and take their next...
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E40: Cerrando la Brecha de Habilidades Digitales con Northstar Digital
Ventura County Works
En este episodio, exploramos una de las barreras más importantes para el empleo en la actualidad: la alfabetización digital. Acompáñanos mientras exploramos Northstar Digital Literacy, un recurso gratuito en el Condado de Ventura que te ayuda a desarrollar las habilidades tecnológicas y la confianza necesarias para solicitar empleos, usar computadoras y tener éxito en la fuerza laboral actual. Escucharás a Eddie Jiménez, facilitador de talleres del programa Ventura County WORKS en el America’s Job Center of California, y aprenderás cómo acceder a talleres, evaluaciones y...
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E39: Fields of Opportunity: Empowering Ventura County's Farm Worker Families
Ventura County Works
In this episode, listeners will learn about Fields of Opportunity for Farm Worker Families, a free, federally funded program in Ventura County designed to support farm workers and their families in building better futures. The episode explores how participants can access career training in high-demand industries, receive one-on-one career coaching, and gain essential support such as transportation, childcare, and work gear. Listeners will also hear how Cell-Ed, a mobile learning platform, offers flexible education options including English language learning, GED prep, and digital...
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E38: VC Heal: Rebuilding Lives Through Healthcare Careers
Ventura County Works
In this episode, we explore how healing takes many forms—through careers, community, and connection. Join us as we dive into VC Heal, Ventura County’s new healthcare careers program created in response to the devastation of the Thomas and Woolsey wildfires. Funded by disaster recovery grants, VC Heal offers no-cost healthcare training, supportive services, life coaching, and career navigation to help local residents, especially those in low- to moderate-income communities, launch or advance careers in the healthcare sector. Discover how this initiative is helping individuals move from...
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E37: Bridging the Digital Skills Gap with Northstar Digital Literacy
Ventura County Works
In this episode we tackle one of the biggest barriers to employment today: digital literacy. Join us as we explore Northstar Digital Literacy, a free resource in Ventura County that helps you build the tech skills and confidence you need to apply for jobs, use computers, and succeed in today’s workforce. You’ll hear from Eddie Jimenez, Workshop Facilitator for the Ventura County WORKS program at the America’s Job Center of California, and learn how you can access free workshops, assessments, and tools to boost your career.
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E36: Skills, Jobs, and Opportunity: Ventura County's Workforce Development
Ventura County Works
In this special episode, originally recorded for Our Ventura TV, Rebecca Evans and Vicente Nicario speak with George Alger about the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County, discussing how this federally-funded organization connects employers with skilled workers and helps job seekers find career opportunities at no cost. Rebecca explains their efforts to raise awareness about their services through local media and partnerships, while Vicente details the resources available at their America's Job Centers, including workshops, computer access, and career navigation assistance for adults...
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E35: Upskilling for Success: How SkillUp Ventura County is Changing Lives
Ventura County Works
Tune in as we explore SkillUp Ventura County, an innovative program offering residents free online skills training and certification opportunities. In this episode, Rebecca Evans, Executive Director of the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County, leads a discussion with key partners. Joining her are the team from Managed Career Solutions (MCS) and special guest Kerry Twomey from Metrix Learning. Discover how this two-year-old program has already helped nearly 1,800 residents complete over 13,000 courses, representing more than 4,000 hours of training. Learn about success stories of...
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E34: Preparing the Workforce for the Future of AI
Ventura County Works
In this episode, we dive deep into the world of artificial intelligence (AI) and explore how businesses in Ventura County can harness its transformative power. Discover the common misconceptions about AI and learn how to navigate the practical challenges of adoption. Gain insights into the critical role of the human element in successful AI implementation and uncover strategies for equitable integration across your organization. Whether you're a seasoned tech leader or just starting to explore AI's potential, this episode will equip you with the knowledge and tools to unlock new opportunities...
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E33: Education Meets Industry: Dr. César Morales on Building Ventura County's Workforce
Ventura County Works
Join Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, as he discusses how education and industry work together to create career opportunities in Ventura County. Learn about the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) Career Education Center programs in healthcare, transportation, welding, and veterinary assistance. Discover how local education systems partner with employers to provide work experience and internships for students. Dr. Morales shares insights on workforce development and explains how education serves as a bridge between job seekers and employers in Ventura County....
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E32: Cultivating Success: Ventura County's Farmworker Support Program
Ventura County Works
In this episode, you'll learn about a new program in Ventura County called "Sowing Seeds of Success," designed to support farmworkers. The program offers essential job skills training, career coaching, and language learning through a mobile platform, making it accessible for workers with busy schedules. You'll hear about the program's goals, eligibility requirements, and how it addresses challenges like time constraints and language barriers. The discussion covers the role of employers and community organizations in providing work-based learning opportunities and career advancement. You'll...
info_outlineOn March 22, 2021, the Employment Development Department announced that Workforce Development Board of Ventura County was awarded $350,000 for the Disability Employment Accelerator (DEA), a grant funded through the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act. The goal of the grant is to promote employment strategies for People with Disabilities. This program also creates linkages and engages businesses to develop work-based learning programs for People with Disabilities with significant barriers to employment and addresses the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Linda Lara, Disability Employment Navigator, Managed Career Solutions, joins the program to share more details.