What you need to know: Governor Gavin Newsom has announced that the California Employment Development Department is awarding $11 million to help six California organizations connect underserved adults — including veterans, people with disabilities, and at-risk young adults — with job training and career development services.
A nearly $11 million grant will help six California-based organizations develop and deliver job training and career development services to Californians facing some of the most significant barriers to finding employment. This includes veterans, people with disabilities, English-language learners, the long-term unemployed, workers over the age of 55, and at-risk young adults who are not in school or are unemployed. According to a national Georgetown University study, Jobs for All, there are approximately 27 to 35 million individuals who want to work but face significant barriers (such as poverty, disability, or long-term unemployment) to getting hired.
In California, investments like the Employment Social Enterprise program supports Governor Newsom’s Master Plan for Career Education, which aims to bridge the gap and equip all students and workers with the tools necessary to achieve stability through good-paying jobs.
“Every Californian deserves the opportunity to pursue a meaningful career. This investment advances California’s Master Plan for Career Education and California Jobs First by expanding access to career pathways for Californians who’ve historically faced systemic barriers. It’s a step toward a more inclusive and opportunity-rich economy for everyone,” said Newsom.
“The Employment Social Enterprise Program brings jobs and dignity to Californians who’ve been left out of the workforce by connecting them to real work, supportive services, and long-term opportunity. These grants help mission-driven businesses grow while unlocking potential in communities too often excluded from the labor market,” said Stewart Knox, Secretary of Labor & Workforce Development.
“By providing opportunities for those who have been overlooked in society, we’re helping more Californians build lasting careers that strengthen our workforce,” said EDD Director Nancy Farias.
These awards from the Employment Development Department (EDD), in coordination with the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, are part of the Employment Social Enterprise program.
Employment Social Enterprises are businesses that sell goods and services and provide transitional jobs and support to people breaking through employment barriers. Grant funds focus on transitioning individuals into stable, good-paying jobs — where they can earn wages, gain work experience, improve job skills, and access supportive services. Supportive services may include housing assistance, childcare access, mental health services, job coaching, and more.
The Employment Social Enterprise program is a part of the California Jobs First initiative. In partnership with its 13 economic regions, the State is investing in job creation, industrial strategy, and economic development initiatives, to create a more equitable economy that works for all Californians.
Jeff Negrete, Executive Director, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fresno: “At Catholic Charities, we’ve always been here to meet immediate needs — food, clothing, and critical support in moments of crisis. But this grant allows us to do something more. It gives us the opportunity to offer a true hand up.”