This roaming classroom will help deliver free career training for selected medical jobs and extend the reach of employment services across Ventura County.
The Workforce on Wheels drove up to the Ray D. Prueter Library in Port Hueneme March 16, making a stop on a tour to bring services to residents who may not be able to get to the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County’s office locations.
The refurbished bus can hold up to 20 people for training and arrives with many of the workforce board’s overall offerings with job resources and computers to search for assistance.
The mobile job center and related program, paid for with a $7.5 million federal grant for disaster areas, launched in February. Up to 250 qualified clients will receive free training and hiring support as clinical medical assistants, phlebotomists and medical billing specialists through the end of 2027, according to grant documents.
“Generally, we already have folks coming on board,” said Rebecca Evans, workforce board executive director. “We’ve had a great reception of it so far.”
Evans said the federal dollars targeted areas hit hard by wildfires, and the workforce board knew from its own members in the health care industry about personnel shortages and the growing medical needs caused by the effects of the fires.
She noted that Vista Del Mar Hospital in Ventura closed temporarily after severe damage from the Thomas Fire. Displaced workers at the psychiatric facility may have found employment elsewhere in the meantime, leaving fewer candidates when the hospital reopened, Evans said.
Residents interested in the training or employment help can call 805-648-WORK. Evans said a workforce employee would connect the individual to the right program.
People can call ahead for an appointment on the Workforce on Wheels or attend a tour stop and walk in as space is available.
Upcoming Workforce on Wheels stops
Stacie N. Galang is news director of the Ventura County Star. She can be reached at 805-437-0222 or stacie.galang@vcstar.com.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Workforce on Wheels rolls out free training, offers job help to county
Reporting by Stacie N. Galang, Ventura County Star / Ventura County Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
