WDBCCC Blog

The West County Business Roundtable, “Taking Your Business to the Next Level,” brought together small businesses from across West Contra Costa for a high-impact workshop focused on connecting entrepreneurs with valuable, no-cost resources.

Contra Costa County’s Measure X Youth Centers Project, administered by the WDBCCC, connects youth ages 12–18 with programs designed to help them learn, grow, connect, and prepare for their futures. Through partnerships with community-based organizations, Measure X supports services including academic support, mentoring and leadership, youth employment and job readiness, sports and fitness, arts and culture, and mental health and wellness. Most services are offered at no cost.

Serena Moore, WDB Program & Project Coordinator, represented the WDBCCC at the California Workforce Association’s 2026 Meeting of the Minds conference in Monterey. She also participated in the 2026 Executive Boot Camp, joining a cohort of 20 workforce development executives from across California. The program is expected to transition into an Executive Fellowship in 2027.

The WDBCCC participated in the 2026 Bay Area Construction Workforce Conference, a regional gathering focused on strengthening the construction workforce. The event brought together a wide range of stakeholders—contractors, labor leaders, educators, workforce professionals, community organizations, owners, and developers—to collectively address the growing demand for skilled construction workers throughout the Bay Area.

The 2026 Central Contra Costa Career & Resource Fair took place on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at the Mt. Diablo Adult Education / Loma Vista Adult Center in Concord. The event was a tremendous success, attracting a large number of job seekers, employers, and community partners from across the region. Turnout was strong, with 317 job seekers eager to advance their careers. A diverse group of 47 exhibitors, comprising 29 employers and 18 resource providers, offered attendees direct access to more than 400 open positions and various support services.

For over a decade, Theresa Bradshaw, Clerical Supervisor with the Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD), has seen how dedicated mentorship can transform lives. Through her partnership with the CCWORKS Subsidized Employment Program, Bradshaw has mentored and supervised approximately 33 Work Experience Trainees (WEX), helping Contra Costa County residents re-enter the workforce with confidence.

On May 12, the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County (WDBCCC) participated in the DOGWF Grant Community of Practice session hosted at the Phillips 66 Rodeo Renewable Energy Complex in Rodeo, California. The session brought together grantees, workforce partners, and industry representatives to collaborate on grant implementation strategies, discuss shared workforce challenges, and explore future opportunities for regional partnership and innovation.

Justin, 25, once worked in sales but knew he was meant for something more. Tyler, 20, grew up in a family of firefighters, raised on stories of service and sacrifice. Both were searching for purpose and found it through the EMS Corps program, developed by the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County (WDBCCC) and Mt. Diablo Adult Education. With the help of WDBCCC, tuition was covered using Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) federal training funds. Mt. Diablo Adult Education provided the classroom and instructional foundation that gave Justin and Tyler the skills to pursue EMT certification.

Administered by the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County (WDBCCC) in partnership with the Workforce Services Bureau, the CCWORKS Subsidized Employment Program is dedicated to helping CalWORKS and Welfare-to-Work (WTW) participants build strong pathways to employment. Through CCWORKS, employers receive a wage subsidy to hire eligible participants for up to six months—opening doors to meaningful work experience, new skills, and renewed confidence on the path to long-term, unsubsidized employment.

The Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County (WDBCCC) continues to expand opportunities for skilled workers through the Oil & Gas Workforce Career Mobility Initiative, formerly known as the Displaced Oil and Gas Worker Fund (DOGWF). This initiative focuses on helping workers in Contra Costa County strengthen their skills, access new training opportunities, and pursue careers in growing industries while maintaining strong wages and long-term stability.