S O U T H B A Y W O R K F O R C E
I N V E S T M E N T B O A R D
A WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD
2018 Business Success Stories
EV Connect - El Segundo
Workforce History: EV connect Inc. was established in 2009 to provide electric vehicle charging solutions for commercial, enterprise, hospitality, university and government
facilities in California.
Workforce Challenge: EV Connect Inc. was experiencing the challenge of finding qualified candidates to fill their numerous administrative and customer service positions.
Outcomes & Benefits: Turning to the South Bay Workforce Investment Board’s Inglewood One-Stop Business & Career Center early in 2018, EV Connect was given a needs assessment and then the One-Stop Center staff created an effective strategy to fit their specific business, employment and talent acquisition needs. Job developers explained the benefits of using On-the-Job Training contracts that would enable them to train candidates their way while getting reimbursed during the training period. One-Stop Staff recruited, screened, vetted and referred candidates that met EV Connect’s hiring requirements. Eventually many full-time positions were filled and the partnership with the SBWIB continues.
Turner Construction - Inglewood
Workforce History: Turner Construction is a North America-based, international construction services company and a leading builder in
diverse market segments. The company has earned recognition for undertaking large, complex projects, fostering innovation, embracing emerging technologies, and making a difference for their clients, employees and community. With a staff of 5,200 employees, the company completes $10 billion of construction on 1,500 projects each year.
Workforce Challenge: Hollywood Park Land Company, owned by The Kroenke Group, selected the team of Turner/AECOM HUNT JV to oversee construction of a 70,000-seat stadium for the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. The joint venture, combining two of the world’s largest construction and engineering management firms, has built 17 stadiums for National Football League teams and renovated 10 others.
Outcomes & Benefits: The South Bay Workforce Investment Board through its Inglewood One-Stop and partnership with PDA, Inc. established the Construction Utilities Pathway Program (CUPP) to supply a pipeline of qualified candidates and provide support services and access to training and employment in the construction industry. The Turner/AECOM HUNT JV team has partnered with the CUPP program to provide training and job placement for union member or individuals interested in joining a union. Additionally, Turner/AECOM HUNT JV, has committed to a 100% union job site, is further committed to ensuring 30% of construction related jobs are targeted for local area residents with a 15% Inglewood resident apprenticeship goal. To date, in collaboration with the CUPP Program and PDA, Inc., the Turner/AECOM HUNT JV team is successfully meeting its hiring goals including hundreds of apprentices, a high percentage of minorities and Inglewood residents are working on this groundbreaking legacy project for the City of Inglewood.
Team - Torrance
Workforce History: Torrance based, Team Industrial Services, Inc. is a leading provider of specialty industrial services, including inspection and assessment required in maintaining and installing high-temperature and high-pressure piping systems related refining,
petrochemical, power, pipeline and other heavy industries. Team offers these services across its 220 branch locations and more than 20 countries throughout the world and found itself in need of qualified technicians.
Workforce Challenge: Working in partnership with South Bay One-Stop Business & Career Centers- Inglewood and its training partners, TEAM launched very specific hiring initiatives. The immediate goal was to train, recruit, and screen qualified and motivated individuals to fill entry level and mid positions in the region. According to Justin Hilterman, Operations Manager for TEAM “Our continued growth equates to tremendous opportunities for candidates in all career stages. You bring your skills and passion, and we will equip you with the tools you need to succeed.”
Outcomes & Benefits: Working with WIOA-funded business solutions including recruitment and candidate screening, this Torrance based employer has successfully filled approximately a dozen technician positions this year with hourly wages ranging from $22 to $40. This year the strategic alignment with industry partners like TEAM Industrial Services Inc. and sector-based career pathways models has resulted in numerous employment opportunities for South Bay residents including Low Income adults, Dislocated Workers, and Veterans. Working closely with their recruiting and operations team, TEAM is committed to a continued industry partnership, ongoing career pathway efforts, and work-based learning initiatives for South Bay residents.
According to Hilterman, "as a result of aging infrastructure, vastly publicized industrial disasters throughout the world, as well as growing investment in new infrastructure projects and technologies, demand for more technicians with updated skills has increased incrementally. However, this demand is not being met as leaving companies like TEAM at risk of losing out on key projects."
Bay Alarm - Gardena
Workforce History: Located in the city of Gardena, Bay Alarm has provided countless employment and career opportunities to South Bay residents this year with an increased focus on post 9/11 and homeless Veterans. As the nation’s largest independent alarm company, Bay Alarm provides security and fire protection systems to more than 145,000 residential and commercial customers throughout the state of California. This sector- based approach to employment and training has resulted in successful coordination among key education and training programs to drive workforce solutions in the areas of Construction & Utilities. Working in partnership with South Bay Business & Career Centers – Inglewood and its strategic partners, the company has embraced a commitment to hiring our nation’s heroes and has provided employment opportunities to Veterans as Installation
Technicians. Installation Technicians are responsible for Installation, programming, and repair of security systems or fire alarm wiring and equipment.
Workforce Challenge: The United States military has undergone one of the largest reductions of forces in recent history, leaving some of our bravest, most skilled workers out of a job. As they return from deployments, veterans are facing difficulties reentering the workforce and often face the challenge of not knowing how to leverage the extensive training and experience they have gained through their military service. At the same time, the wireless industry is experiencing one of the most expansive build-out and upgrade periods ever. Carriers, utilities, federal agencies, wireless vendors and system integrators across the United States are facing a critical shortage of qualified and trained workers to support new and ongoing projects, significantly impacting the entire wireless technology ecosystem. It is estimated there are between 8,000 and 10,000 open positions that need to be filled in the next 18-36 months to keep pace with the industry-wide expansion and upgrade. The majority of those open positions require skill sets nearly identical to wireless deployment, maintenance and technical support positions of the military.
Outcomes & Benefits: Utilizing WIOA and HVRP funded Occupational Skills Training programs this year, South Bay Business & Career Centers- Inglewood continues to optimize the investment our country has made in our military personnel – and takes a collaborative approach in working with those focused on hiring veterans. Additionally, collaborations with valued I-train partners who provide industry recognized certifications for employment in the telecommunications industry enables companies such as Bay Alarm to keep pace with market demands. The strategic alignment and collaboration within this sector partnership continues to bridge the gap between the demand for trained and deployable technicians, and the thousands of qualified service men and women eager to transfer the skills they have learned in the military. Continued coordination with industry partners such as Bay Alarm and key education partners has resulted in giving Veterans transitional support and building blocks they need for an exciting and fulfilling career in the our rapidly growing industry.
"I have a passion for learning about the communities that we serve and understanding the unique customer base that makes up this territory. Safe, secure neighborhoods happen when communities build programs that empower, educate, and improve quality of life for those who live and work there.”
Ryan Steiger
South Bay Manager
Bay Alarm
Ways Home Care & Health Agency, LLC - Inglewood
Workforce History: Ways Home Care & Health Agency, LLC. (WHC) located in Inglewood since 2016 has been serving the residents of the South Bay communities in the placement of Nurses and Caregivers in the homes of those individuals that require home health care. Ways Home Care works along the side of families and physicians to ensure the best care possible. WAYS Home Care was founded due to increasing needs of home care for patients.
Workforce Challenge: Ways Home Care reached out to the South Bay One-Stop Business & Career Centers-Inglewood to seek assistance in finding qualified candidates for their open positions. Following a needs assessment with One-Stop Center staff, Ways Home Care agreed to sign up for the Transitional Subsidized Employment Program’s (TSE) On-the-Job-Training program. One-Stop staff utilized their partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Public & Social Services GAIN Program regional offices to recruit candidates that had health care experience and credentials that met the employer’s requirements.
Outcomes & Benefits: As a result of the partnership and utilization of the Inglewood One-Stop Center’s services over 25 nurses and caregivers were hired. Owner Operator, Kendren Johnson, has indicated her satisfaction with the courteous and expeditious service delivered by the Inglewood One-Stop Center staff, and as such, is committed to continuing the partnership.