El Camino College Business Training Center Secures $490,239 in State Funding to Launch New Workforce Literacy Pilot Program

Overview

The California Employment Training Panel (ETP) received $10 Million in one-time General Fund dollars to launch a new Workforce Literacy Pilot Program (WLPP) that is intended to expand workforce literacy training across the state. El Camino College Business Training Center’s received $490,239 of these funds to service the Southern California region including the college’s local service area. The funding will be used to provide workforce literacy training in English, mathematics, digital skills, and technical skills for immigrants, refugees, and English Language Learners. The college kicked off its new program on August 28, 2023 and will run through May 28, 2025.  Additional funding may be awarded by ETP based upon the college’s need.

The WLPP training programs will enhance participants’ essential skills and abilities in the following areas:

• English language skills (reading, writing, speaking) that enable learners to communicate effectively and solve problems at levels of proficiency necessary to function on the job.
• Digital literacy skills that will provide learners with the skills necessary to use technology to source, evaluate, organize, create, and communicate information.
• Technical skills that will provide the specialized knowledge and expertise required to perform specific job-related tasks and use specific tools and programs in workplace situations. Examples of technical skills include food handling and safety (ServSafe Certification), housekeeping training, customer service, COVID-19 safety training, catering, supervisory and management skills, and more.

Industry Sectors that Qualify for ETP funding for WPPL Training

Employers can be within the following industry sectors:
Retail, agriculture, hospitality, manufacturing, janitorial, shipping, childcare, healthcare, warehousing, food production, and other relevant industries.

These industry sectors are not exclusive; however, they demonstrate a concentration of intended worker occupations with a historical alignment with the objectives of WLPP.

Basic WLPP Employer Eligibility

• Employers can be private-for-profit and subject to the Unemployment Insurance (UI) tax. They may also be non-profit or municipal employers not subject to UI tax.
• Employers must report wages for employees through EDD.
• Employers must be located in California and may only train California workers.
• Employers must pay their employees’ salaries while in training.
• Employers must pay their employees participating in the training program a minimum of $15.50 per hour or local minimum wage, whichever is higher.
• Employers must retain the employee 90 days after all training is complete.

Examples of El Camino College classes that qualify for WLPP/ETP funding.

El Camino College can deliver WLPP-related training online with a live instructor or on-site at a business, depending upon the location and number of persons to be trained.
Learn more about ETP funding.

English Literacy Skills

• Vocational English as a Second Language (VESL) Course – 40 hours
• Vocational Foundation Skills in Writing in English Course – 40 hours

Math Literacy Skills

• Vocational Basic Math Course – 40 hours

Digital Literacy Skills Courses – 24 hours

• Digital Literacy
• Use of Smart Phone
• Basic PC
• E-Reader
• Tablets
• How to Search, Evaluate, and Communicate Information
• Email
• Preparing Reports

Technical Skill Courses – Course Hours Range between 8 to 40 hours*

*70% of a student’s courses must be in Literacy Skills, with a significant portion of literacy skills dedicated to English literacy.

• Customer Service
• Facilities Maintenance
• Preventive Maintenance
• Computer Skills for Production and Inventory
• Blueprint Reading
• Geometric Dimension and Tolerances (GD&T)
• Shop Measurements

Workforce Preparation Activities Courses – Course Hours Range between 8 to 40 hours

• Customer Service
• Basic Work Skills
• Change Management
• Conflict Resolution
• Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
• Generational Diversity
• Problem-Solving and Decision Making
• Team Building
• Stress Management
• Time and Priority Management
• Computers for Production and Inventory
• Presentation Skills

For more information about WLPP training classes and ETP funding, please contact:

Eldon Davidson
Director, Center for Customized Training
El Camino College
Email: edavidson@elcamino.edu