Marin Economic Forum Receives Workforce Alliance of the North Bay Grant and COM Matching Funds
Marin Economic Forum
Robin Sternberg
San Rafael, CA (February 28, 2018) – Marin Economic Forum Chief Executive Officer Robin Sternberg announced today that the organization has received a $50,000 grant from the Workforce Alliance of the North Bay and $50,000 in matching funds from College of Marin to examine current and future employment needs in Marin County for two industries – tourism/hospitality and business/technology.
Since Marin Economic Forum’s (MEF) founding in 2009, this is the first time the nonprofit has been awarded grant funds for work related to workforce issues in Marin County and demonstrates the new administration’s proactive approach to addressing the needs of employers in Marin County.
Robin Sternberg, who was hired in August last year, has an extensive background in strategic efforts to improve the economy through private-public collaboration and economic and workforce development programs.
“We are thrilled to announce that we have been selected by the Workforce Alliance of the North Bay (WANB) as a $50,000 recipient of its recent Innovation Grant Proposal. MEF, in partnership and with additional support from the College of Marin, will be developing a new Employer-Education Partnership model to improve local workforce education and hiring pipelines for two target industries that are vital to Marin’s economy,” said Sternberg.
The initiative will create a new model for an employer-educator partnership that will improve the pipeline of workers for local industries. MEF will convene employers, conduct surveys, identify workforce needs, determine recommendations for education, training and system improvements and establish metrics for outcomes.
The initiative culminates in a community-wide convening to present findings to leaders in the community. Additionally, partnerships and accountability will be established to carry out recommended action items, according to Sternberg.
The objectives of the workforce study initiative include:
- To develop an employer-driven model to identify specific workforce skills and education needs and local job forecasting;
- To strengthen partnership and alignment between Marin County employers and Education/Workforce Training systems and its workers;
- To engage business and industry professionals with future employees;
- To increase opportunities for local businesses to hire local workers;
- To support Marin County business retention and expansion efforts; and
- To enhance employment equity in Marin County.
Jonathan Eldridge
MEF has just started the process of hiring a project manager to conduct employer surveys, write reports and manage all aspects of the project.
The project is expected to last about a year and is currently scheduled to have the report’s finding presented in November this year and for a joint launch of the program (with MEF and COM) in January or February of 2019.
The initiative is expected to engage over 500 local employers and place students and graduates into jobs that are in demand.
“We are enthusiastic about this Initiative and the leadership provided by MEF in aligning industry with workforce needs in Marin. It will certainly help support COM’s growing education and training programs,” said Jonathan Eldridge, Senior Vice President of Student Learning & Student Services at College of Marin.
About Marin Economic Forum
The Marin Economic forum provides information and opportunities to collaborate for improving Marin County’s economic vitality and equity. Marin’s Economic Stakeholders include private sector companies, chambers of commerce, county and municipal governments, educational institutions, organizations supporting workforce employment, housing, and similar economic-related activities, consumer groups, and other organizations as designated by the MEF Board of Directors. Marin Economic Forum is a nonprofit organization. Be the first to receive updates and news from MEF by subscribing or liking us on our social media pages: Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!
Media Contact: Gary Marsh (415) 999-3793 or gary@marshmarketing.com
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