San Bernardino, CA-The County of San Bernardino Board of Supervisors signed an official proclamation that declared April 2011 as Workforce Development Month in San Bernardino County. Citing the achievements of the San Bernardino County Workforce Investment Board during the regions toughest economic recession, Chair Josie Gonzales, County of San Bernardino Fifth District Supervisor, presented the proclamation.
Thousands of county residents and businesses have found guidance, support and a helping hand through our Workforce Investment Board, Gonzales said. Through innovative ideas such as our business consulting program, On-the-Job Training funds and youth programs, as well as partnerships with our educational institutions, businesses and government departments, the Workforce Investment Board has demonstrated strong leadership throughout our community.
Created in 1998 with the passage of the Workforce Investment Act, the San Bernardino County Workforce Investment Board is one of thousands across the nation that develop and promote opportunities for businesses, employees and job seekers.
Our success is the result of the hard work and devotion of our staff, said Sandy Harmsen, Executive Director of the Workforce Investment Board and Director of the County of San Bernardino Workforce Development Department. On a daily basis, our career counselors guide job seekers to free workshops, job training and employment at our County Employment Resource Centers. Our business service representatives go out into the community and introduce a new or established business to numerous resources designed to help them grow and flourish.
Long-term unemployment continues to be a challenge across the county and the state. The latest unemployment rate reported by the State of California Employment Development Department indicated that unemployment in San Bernardino is 13.7 percent, four percent higher than the national unemployment rate of 9.5 percent.
Harmsen and the nations Workforce Investment Board leaders, while awaiting the details of Congress final budget which will determine WIA funding, are determined to continue business as usual in finding placement for unemployed adults and youth, as well as giving businesses the boost they need to ramp up hiring.
