For people who have fallen into hard times and find themselves unemployed, or barely scraping by with part time work, there are workforce development organizations in the Greater Los Angeles area that can help. And when those organizations need to send their participants to gain training and skills for the modern workplace, they often pair with UCLA Extension.

“At UCLA Extension, we see and hear every day how continuing education can transform someone’s life by changing the trajectory of their career,” said Lydia Randolph, UCLA Extension associate dean of external affairs. “By partnering closely with regional workforce development associations and leveraging their respective resources, many residents are able to pursue certificates for their individual career paths. UCLA Extension is committed to opening our doors for a wide range of Angelenos by connecting them to real skills, real opportunities, and meaningful career growth.”

UCLA Extension partners with more than 45 workforce development groups across California that help disseminate U.S. Department of Labor Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) dollars designed specifically to help job seekers access employment, education, training and support services to succeed in the labor market.

“That’s where we tap into our training partners like UCLA Extension – to upskill and get those specific and recognized credentials,” said John Gutierrez, director of workforce development and veteran services for Jobs.Vision.Success. (JVS) SoCal.

At a recent workforce development panel, Gutierrez noted that partners like UCLA Extension – which hosted the panel event on March 19 at UCLA Downtown – are vital to his efforts because his organization is looking to prepare its participants for success in a modern and ever-evolving professional landscape.

“UCLA Extension is very connected to employers and able to pivot faster to what the market demands of its employees through its certificates and customized programs,” he said.

WIOA funding is designed to help people who are recently unemployed or underemployed, meaning they work 20-hours-or-less a week. These groups work with people who experience barriers to employment, whether that be an outdated skillset or a history with the criminal justice system.

“There is a lot of work to be done uplifting spirits and building up confidence,” said Eli Romero, workforce development officer for the Long Beach Department of Economic Development and Opportunity. “Every agency is different, but in Long Beach we provide people with scholarships to get short-term certifications. And those certifications are often offered by partners such as UCLA Extension and part of a state master list we have access to. A key component is to make sure people are ready, skilled and upskilled for the jobs that are out there. And that the curriculum is relevant and constantly updated.”

“We help connect people to vocational training, on-the-job training and career planning. In addition, we also have a youth employment program to better assist our youth population,” said Jeanene Salgado, workforce specialist for the Santa Ana Work Center. “Our goal is to help boost the economy in our city by helping connect our businesses with skilled workers. Training is a huge part of our program in helping clients upgrade their skills.”

Many would be surprised by how quickly they can receive help from these organizations, and what help can be provided – not just school, but clothing, equipment and more.

“We want to help them see the light at the end of the tunnel,” said Mariam Voaskanyan, center of excellence representative for America’s Job Center of California (AJCC) in Pomona.

The goal for all of these groups is long-term employment for their participants, and education plays a big role.

“You put someone on a career pathway, and guess what is on that pathway? Places like UCLA Extension to provide the education piece of that,” Gutierrez said.