E32: Cultivating Success: Ventura County's Farmworker Support Program
Release Date: 10/19/2024
E44: Leading with Service and Equity: A Conversation with Board Member Lisa Safaeinili
Ventura County Works
In this Board Member Minutes episode of Ventura County Works, Executive Director Rebecca Evans sits down with nonprofit leader Lisa Safaeinili to explore how service and equity drive workforce innovation. Lisa shares her journey into nonprofit leadership, the mission of her organization, and what inspired her to join the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County. Together they discuss the workforce challenges that matter most right now, moments of impact since Lisa joined the board, and her hopes for the future of work—offering listeners an inside look at how dedicated community leaders...
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E43: From Corporate Leadership to Community Impact: Insights from Board Member Ken Wiseman
Ventura County Works
Tune in to this episode of Ventura County Works as we kick off our new segment, Board Member Minutes, with Ken Wiseman—business owner, community leader, and long-time advocate for lifelong learning. Ken shares his journey from leading a large corporate operation to revitalizing historic spaces in Piru, and how his experiences fuel his passion for workforce development. Discover why small business perspectives are essential on the workforce development board, the challenges facing Ventura County’s labor market, and how resourcefulness, collaboration, and nimbleness are...
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E42: Humanizing AI: Equity, Empathy, and Innovation
Ventura County Works
Tune in to this powerful episode of Ventura County Works as we explore how artificial intelligence can either widen or bridge equity gaps in the workforce. Celia Daniels, board member of the Ventura County Workforce Development Board and Founder and CEO of Rebekon Consulting LLC, shares how AI systems, if designed without inclusive input, can reinforce existing biases and shut out marginalized communities, including farmworkers, justice-impacted individuals, disabled people, and non-English speakers. You’ll discover why “bringing AI to the people” is essential, how workforce boards...
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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...
info_outlineIn 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 also discover how the program uses technology to deliver content and provide coaching support. Lastly, you'll find out how community members and businesses can get involved in supporting and strengthening this initiative for farmworkers.