In a special meeting that lasted for three hours on Tuesday morning, the Sacramento City Council voted unanimously in support of a ~$15 million workforce readiness program entitled “SacBldsSkills2Careers.”

The program is spearheaded by the Office of Innovation and Economic Development, and will provide job training, paid internships, and more with a particular emphasis on skill building for at-risk and economically marginalized residents aged 16+.

“Skill building is essential to the career development we need to achieve greater employment placement,” Sac’s Workforce Development Manager Kriztina Palone said.

Part of the project’s overall framework — which is built on the lessons + successes of our Workforce Recovery plan — is to improve the economic conditions of families + youth in our city that continue to struggle from the COVID-19 pandemic by creating pathways to high-growth, high-paying careers.

With data on the projected growth of careers in Sacramento, Palone explained the project has identified several industries that have high wage opportunities coupled with great growth, like health care.

Overall, the project is funded from three different “pots” that will go to support distinct areas of the program:

City’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Workforce Funds — $2.75 million

This will support programs targeted for adults 30+, like job training, and supporting career navigators who will help connect people to services, from 2022-2025.

California For All ARPA Youth Workforce Grant — $6.98 million

Targeting community members aged 16 to 30, this will focus on coaching internships, public sector positions, and career exploration from 2022-2026.

Youth Workforce Programming of CARES Workforce Recovery Portfolio — $5 million

From 2022-24, this will support intensive workforce development services for residents ages 18-25, such as job fairs, and will focus on work in construction, urban agriculture + trade careers.

Before the council dispersed following their vote, Mayor Darrell Steinburg shared this thought: “This is not the end, but the beginning. The more capacity we have to invest in young people, the more we will be able to grow and expand.”