News and Updates!

October Newsletter

Written by CERF LA HRTC | Oct 24, 2023 5:50:20 PM

Recent Developments and Updates

CERF Rebranding: "California Jobs First"

During our October LA HRTC Partners Meeting, members were updated on the state's rebranding efforts for the CERF Program. The state has officially renamed the program "California Jobs First" announcing the change at the 2023 California Economic Summit: Coachella & Imperial Valleys.

This rebranding highlights a focus on prioritizing job creation in alignment with California's ambitious carbon-neutral economy goals. However, concerns were raised about the potential impact on previous work and the need for stronger engagement from various stakeholders, including industry partners, workforce development boards, labor organizations, and community-based organizations.

CERF Catalyst Program:

The Catalyst grant application is now open and accessible through an invite-only solicitation shared with Regional HRTC Fiscal Agents. A special acknowledgment to LA n Sync for their pivotal role in securing the support of a grant writer. The Convener, Fiscal Agent, and Steering Committee will meet with the grant writer to begin reviewing the application process, with an update to be provided at the next Steering Committee Meeting. The application for the Catalyst program is due on November 30th, with a performance period from May 2024 to September 2026.

For more information on the CERF Catalyst Fund: Click Here

Research Updates:

The CERF team, in collaboration with the Fiscal Convener, has initiated the contract procurement process for the research component of the LA HRTC's regional deliverable.

  • CVL Economics was awarded RFP1 for the Regional Economic Index Summary.
  • The bid process for RFP 2, which concerns Industry Clusters Research, is currently pending.
  • Beacon Economics was awarded RFP 3 for SWOT, Gap, and Partnership Analysis.

LA HRTC Bylaws:

The development of Bylaws for the LA HRTC and Steering Committee is underway, incorporating member feedback. The SC will review each provision before finalization and a final document will be brought to the LA HRTC. 

Process Mapping:

The Mark USA has finalized a draft of the process mapping effort, which will be shared with the Steering Committee for feedback. The Mark USA is scheduled to present at the next Steering Committee meeting, and a final draft will be presented to the LA HRTC.

Capacity Training Contract:

The LA HRTC is actively searching for vendors for capacity training with a budget of $75,000. Interested individuals are encouraged to email CERF@laedc.org for further information.\

Partners Meeting  Resources 10/13

Stay tuned for more updates and progress!

LA HRTC Steering Committee Leadership

The recently elected Steering Committee has initiated its meetings. This committee underwent an election process to appoint three leaders who will rotate through key positions, providing leadership and facilitating the Steering Committee's work.

  • Chair: Kevin Harbour - Biz Fed Institute 
  • Vice Chair (A): Andrea Slater - UCLA Labor Center 
  • Vice Chair (B): Stella Ursua - GRID Alternatives Greater LA

Chair - Kevin Harbour 

Biz Fed Institute

Kevin Harbour, Sr. is a California native with extensive experience at Fortune 100 companies such as Xerox, Digital Equipment Corporation (now Hewlett Packard), and Verizon. He is currently the Chief Development Officer and president of the BizFed Institute at BizFed. In addition, he has been involved in various volunteer roles, including serving as the UCLA Black Alumni Association's Past President and participating in community initiatives. Kevin is also known for his love of chess, occasional golfing, and his appreciation for fine cuisine.

Vice Chair (A)  - Andrea Slater

UCLA Labor Center

Andrea Slater, Director of CARE at Work at the UCLA Labor Center, is an experienced political campaign director, policy advocate, and community advocate with expertise in BIPOC voter engagement. She has managed campaigns and leadership roles in organizations like CA Common Cause and SEIU. Andrea is also a faculty member at Laney College, holding degrees in Political Science and History from UCLA, along with a Master's in Public Policy from UC, Irvine.

Vice Chair (B) - Stella Ursua 

 

GRID Alternatives - Greater LA 

Stella Ursua's work involves bridging local governments, community organizations, and nonprofits to ensure equitable access to clean energy and mobility grants. She is dedicated to providing resources for vulnerable community members, like justice-involved individuals, veterans, and at-risk youth, to access workforce training and green careers with a lasting impact on their lives and communities.

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Upcoming CERF LA HRTC Partners Meeting

Join us for our upcoming Partners Meeting on November 17th, 2023, scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. PDT. We look forward to sharing the latest updates on the CERF program with you.
 
 
 

 

The Vision 2030 Summit's Workforce and Economic Development 

 
The Vision 2030 Summit's Workforce and Economic Development event will feature prominent speakers and panels. It will explore Vision 2030 and the Governor's Master Plan, discuss workforce and economic development, and include trustee and faculty panels. The event will also cover industrial trades and apprenticeships and will emphasize a comprehensive approach to workforce development. Join us for a valuable discussion on education, workforce, and economic development in California.
 
 

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LA SBDC Webinars - October 23rd to October 30th

The Los Angeles Small Business Development Center Network (LA SBDC) will be hosting webinars at no cost on various topics for this upcoming week of October 23rd - October 30th, such as business planning, leasing, and profit projections. 

More Info 

UPCOMING FREE WEBINARS:
The Basics of Leasing
October 25 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

2023 Goal Setting for Successful Businesses Link to Register
October 26 @ 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Business Plan Webinar
October 27 @ 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Financial Projections
October 26 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Business Profit Projections
October 25 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Webinar – Accessing Capital / Finding Funding (Spanish)
October 25 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Financial Fitness: Income Statement
October 24 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am

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The Los Angeles Business Journal has featured the CERF program and the appointment of Kevin Harbour as Chair in their commentary column:

Kevin Harbour, president of the BizFed Institute, has been selected to chair the steering committee of the Los Angeles High Road Transition Collaborative. It will support the governance structure for California’s $600 million Community Economic Resilience Fund, created to help regional leaders craft economic development plans that promote equitable growth and high-quality green jobs.

Harbour said he was proud to step into a leadership role “for this historic effort that prioritizes equity and inclusion in sustainable economic planning.”

The resilience fund will invest in 13 geographical regions in the state, including Los Angeles, to help create a carbon-neutral economy with good-paying sustainable jobs. Some of the money will be allocated to support businesses that invest in workforces, pay competitive wages, and engage in environmentally sustainable practices.

The institute is a nonprofit think tank affiliated with the Los Angeles County Business Federation, commonly called BizFed. Tracy Hernandez, founding chief executive of both BizFed and its institute, said, “This region-by-region approach will ensure (resilience fund) solutions are tailored for diverse communities.”