Board

The Workforce Development Board (WDB) of Contra Costa County is a unique public/private partnership providing oversight for federally funded workforce programs in Contra Costa County, excluding the City of Richmond. The WDB brings together private sector leaders, economic development, public agencies, education, labor, and community-based organizations to focus on local and regional workforce development and related community issues.

 

The WDB’s primary goal is to support a strong workforce system that is flexible and customer-focused. Board members are appointed by the Board of Supervisors and represent key stakeholders in the region. The majority of members are business representatives, and all members possess decision-making authority in their company or organization.

WDB’s  purview is all cities and all unincorporated areas within the boundaries of the County of Contra Costa, excluding the City of Richmond.

Roles and Responsibilities

The WDB’s primary role is to develop, implement, expand, and evaluate a workforce system that serves Contra Costa County. Investments are made based on the strategic direction set by the Board in their Strategic Plan and in keeping with the guidelines of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. The Board has the following responsibilities:

• Provide strategic direction and oversight for the local area’s workforce plan.
• Define policies and set goals and objectives that lead to an increase in the skills and earnings of Contra Costa residents.
• Support dislocated workers as the regional economy and businesses restructure to remain competitive. 
• Evaluate system quality and outcomes to ensure effective services for youth, adults, dislocated workers, and older workers.
• Convene education, business, and economic development to address the education, skills, and employment needs for a skilled workforce.
• Advocate on behalf of the system’s customers in balancing the interests of both job seekers and employers.
• Utilize data to ensure valid and documented decision-making and resulting policy. 

Membership

The WDB has 41 members. All are volunteers appointed by the Board of Supervisors. Business members comprise a majority of the Board and are representative of the critical and diverse business sectors within the county. Labor comprises 15% of the membership, representing key unions within the county. Three seats are reserved for community-based organizations: one serves those with disabilities; one serves veterans; and the third is at-large. The Board has two economic development seats, and three seats dedicated to education: K–12 through higher education. The remaining seats are reserved for the leadership of entities in the county that receive one or more of the 17 funding streams coming through the Department of Labor that support employment and training.

Interested parties may apply to sit on this volunteer board by filling out the application Completed applications should be accompanied by a letter of support or endorsement from a private-sector business or from a membership organization such as a Chamber of Commerce or industry association. Completed applications are reviewed to ensure that the Board has present or anticipated vacancies and that the applicants under consideration are representative of the diversity sought by the Board. This includes ethnicity, gender, and geographic location, as well as sector and size of business. Selected applicants are interviewed by staff and Board officers to ensure a good fit with the mission and vision of the Board.

Once the Board’s Executive Committee reviews and approves forwarded applications, they are sent to the Board of Supervisors for final appointment.