City of Long Beach Provides Job Support for Residents Impacted by Southern California Wildfires

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PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - The Long Beach Department of Economic Development & Opportunity (EDO) has launched a new employment and training initiative to support Long Beach residents affected by the January 2025 Southern California wildfires. The initiative will provide paid career opportunities and financial assistance to job seekers looking to embark on a fresh start in Long Beach.

"Long Beach is proud to offer support and uplift those rebuilding their lives following the tragic wildfires that impacted Southern California earlier this year," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "This initiative is a powerful example of how Long Beach comes together in times of need. By providing impacted residents with paid work experience and access to valuable training, we are creating pathways to good jobs and ensuring that Long Beach continues to thrive as a resilient and inclusive city."

Facilitated by EDO 's Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network (LBWIN), the initiative will provide 10 eligible participants with up to 300 hours of paid, on-the-job work experience with local Long Beach employers. Additionally, LBWIN will offer up to five people training scholarships of up to $7,500 each to obtain industry-recognized credentials in high-demand fields such as healthcare, information technology and advanced manufacturing. To learn more and apply, those interested may contact Nakawa Shepherd, Career Center Manager, EDO, at [email protected] or visit the LBWIN Adult Career Services Center (4811 Airport Plaza Dr., Ste. 120). Applications will remain open until funds are exhausted.

EDO is also seeking local employers that are interested in hosting a participant to provide on-the-job training while expanding their future workforce. By participating, businesses will not only enhance their capacity but also demonstrate their commitment to fostering community resilience. To learn more and participate as a host employer, businesses are encouraged to contact Courtney Chatterson, Business Engagement Officer, EDO, at [email protected].

"This effort is about more than recovery, it's about opportunity," said EDO Director Bo Martinez. "By connecting individuals impacted by the wildfires to meaningful work experiences and comprehensive training pathways, we are aiding workers with re-establishing stability while also strengthening Long Beach's local talent pipeline."

The initiative is funded by a $130,000 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Dislocated Worker Additional Assistance grant. WIOA is a federal act designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training and support services to succeed in the labor market.

For more information about workforce programs and services in Long Beach, job seekers and employers may visit longbeach.gov/workforce.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. For more information about the Long Beach Department of Economic Development & Opportunity, visit longbeach.gov/edo, follow on Facebook, X and Instagram. Stay up to date on business news by signing up for the City's Business Brief.

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