I had the chance last week to attend a meeting of the Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network, which is what’s known as a WIB, or Workforce Investment Board.  It seems that WIBs are little-known – I had never heard of one before last year – but I think they do important, if low-profile, work.  The federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998 required the establishment of WIBs at the local level, with the goal of providing job seekers and prospective employers a “one-stop” type of service, with an emphasis on training.

The Pacific Gateway WIN (isn’t that a great name?) serves several cities, including Torrance, Lomita, and Signal Hill in addition to Long Beach, where its offices are.  The Board itself meets four times a year, and its membership, by law, includes representatives from the business community, labor, local education providers, community-based organizations, economic development agencies, and representatives from other state and local workforce-related agencies.  Meetings of the Board are open to the public.

The Pacific Gateway WIN provides services geared to both employers and employees.  Some examples include job fairs, training programs, on-line job search, and workshops on skills like resume writing and interviewing for a job.  The WIN runs a Youth Opportunity Center that can link employers in need with pre-qualified employees, and can even help employers with specific hiring searches.  The WIN also offers services to businesses facing layoffs, including information and counseling for employees who may be losing a job.  There’s much more information at the WIN website; I’ve barely scratched the surface here.

Speaking of tough economic times, one exciting thing about our WIN is that it has the opportunity to direct federal stimulus funds so that they will do some good for local residents.  Over $6 million in funds have been provided to the WIN under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, or ARRA.  The WIN has adopted principles for spending this money – for example, that special emphasis be placed on small business investments – and is now proceeding to apply the funds to a number of targeted programs, with the largest portion going to youth and to dislocated workers.  As an example, the WIB is rolling out a “Your Next Hire” campaign to local businesses reminding them that tax credits are available to make hiring easier.

I’ve applied to become a member of this Board, which is a Mayoral appointment.  I see exciting connections with my work on “green” technology, goods movement, transportation and environmental issues.  I’m hoping the City Council will confirm my appointment, but whether or not that happens, I am resting just a little easier knowing that there is a dedicated panel of people making sure that as many local residents as possible are, and remain, gainfully employed.  As we are fond of saying in my circles, “Quality of life begins with a job.”

Disclosure: staging-live.lbpost.com co-founder Shaun Lumachi is a Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network board member.