CENTRAL COAST — The Business & Entrepreneurship Center at Cuesta College (BEC) recently awarded $25,000 to the Economic Development Center-Ventura County’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) as part of the Doing What Matters for Jobs & the Economy initiative. The funding, provided through the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO), will enable SBDC to add more workshops, advisors and outreach to provide in-demand skills needed by today’s employers, create relevant career pathways and get local workers into open jobs.
The Doing What Matters for Jobs & the Economy initiative focuses on creating sustained, public outreach to industry, high school students, counselors, parents, faculty, staff, and the community to promote career development and awareness of career-technical education. The initiative connects community colleges, business leaders and PK-20 educators to ensure teaching and training is relevant to today’s jobs. The overall goal is to make sure students and graduates have what employers need now, in the next few years and in the future.
“This initiative is the sounding board between schools, businesses and public-private partnerships like SBDC. It serves as the catalyst to bring all the different groups together to learn how to better serve the economic and employment needs of the region” said Gayla Jurevich, Deputy Sector Navigator, Small Business South Central Coast Region, Cuesta College. “Our vision, through these vital collaborations, is to be the premier provider of business and economic development services and training in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura and North Los Angeles Counties.”
As part of the Doing What Matters for Jobs & the Economy initiative, EDC-VC’s SBDC will work with area employers from each industry sector to identify areas where there is a shortage of specialized industry skills and make recommendations on workforce training programs that will help solve future workforce training needs.
“Through the Deputy Sector Navigator Small Business, we are able to collaborate with businesses, industry, community organizations, and educators from around the region to tap into an abundance of resources and know-how already in place,” explains Ray Bowman, director of the Small Business Development Center of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. “By coordinating strategic partnerships, we can eliminate duplicate efforts, identify where there are skills gaps and help develop training solutions aimed at improving the management and stability of regional businesses in order to attract, retain and expand jobs, thus strengthening the local economy, increasing wealth and quality of life.”
For more information on EDC-VC’s SBDC free programs, advising and workshops to small business owners in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, visit http://www.edc-vc.com or call 805-384-1800.
The SBDC is funded by the SBA and provides professional business assistance at no cost to businesses. Participating businesses are required to follow a well-defined scope of work and report their economic successes. These SBA milestones are defined as job creation, increase in sales, capital investment, jobs retained and business started.
ABOUT THE EDC-VC: EDC-VC is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as a business-to-government liaison to assist businesses in Ventura County by offering programs that enhance the economic vitality of the region. For more information about the Small Business Development Center, loan programs, manufacturing outreach and international trade program, or other services available to small businesses through EDC-VC, contact Bruce Stenslie at 805-384-1800 ext. 24 or bruce.stenslie@edc-vc.com. Or visit http://www.edc-vc.com.