WIB obtains grant to hire cleanup workers

The Ventura County Workforce Investment Board received a $1 million Department of Labor National Emergency Grant to hire temporary workers to assist in the cleanup and restoration of county land affected by last year's wildfires.

Workers will restore public infrastructure by cleaning up debris and performing flood mitigation on public lands within the area affected by the Ranch Fire.

Workforce Investment Board provides support to eight Job and Career Centers located in cities throughout the county. Along with the centers, the Oxnard City Corps and the TriCounties Labor Foundation are actively involved in recruiting potential workers. The temporary jobs will pay a minimum of $11 per hour and recruits may be employed for up to six months.

Workers who have been temporarily or permanently dislocated by the wildfires will be given job priority. Unemployed workers are also eligible if they have been unemployed for at least five weeks prior to applying for the project.

"These temporary jobs can provide great experience for workers interested in developing a career in construction, forestry or other related fields," said Cheryl Moore, Executive Director of the Ventura County Workforce Investment Board. "Workers who take part in the program also have the opportunity to learn about the variety of services and resources offered to job seekers at the Job and Career Centers."

The eight Job and Career Centers in the county provide employment assistance, career training and education services to job seekers, and employee recruitment, customized training and business consulting to local employers. All center services are provided at no cost to job seekers and employers. More than 45,000 Ventura County residents use center services each year.

For more information about the temporary jobs available through the Wildfire Recovery Workforce Program, call the TriCounties Labor Foundation at (805) 385-4487, or the Oxnard City Corps at (805) 385-8081. For more information on Ventura County Job and Career Centers, call (800) 500-8805.