Workforce Investment Board Programs

Employment Boot Camp

CEA works with various WIB's to successfully expand employer resources within local business communities.

CEA’S SCOPE of SERVICES

CEA Statewide Reach:  Our staff of HR experts, located throughout the State, provides HR solutions on-site, over the phone and by email to small and medium sized businesses every day.

CEA Services:

  • Human Resource (HR) Hotlines.  Available for business owners 8:00am – 5:00pm, Monday – Friday. Our hotlines are dedicated to quickly answering human resources questions (2 hr call back).
  • Business engagement activities, such as topic specific seminars, webinars, audio conferences and workshops for the business community.
    • Development of employment boot camps which connect job seekers to employers looking to hire.
  • Outplacement services designed to assist businesses with layoffs and job seekers with employment skills and opportunities.
  • Facilitation of focus groups designed to provide vital input to career centers throughout the state.
  • Implementation of professional networking groups for job seekers (at high skill levels) which connect them with hiring employers.

CEA’S SUCCESS RATES

San Bernardino WIB: CEA hosts employer forums and offers a free HR Hotline for local employers. To date, over 70 businesses have attended the workshops and more than 101 calls have come in to the hotline.

Golden Sierra WIB: CEA facilitates a networking group for Highly Skilled Professionals called GS ProNet.  Year to date ProNet hire rate is 42%. CEA also offers a free HR Hotline for local employers and facilitates local Employer Forums.  

Contra Costa WIB: CEA provided business enhancement support and/or layoff aversion outreach services to 354 businesses via Human Resource hotlines and on-site seminars.  2006-2008

SETA WIB: CEA Hosted 21 employment boot camps (construction, manufacturing and customer service), graduating 208 candidates and placing 164 employees in jobs with a 79% hire rate and an 85% retention rate!  2003-2007

Professional Edge Workshop Series: Click here for a scheduled workshops and more information.

Employment Boot Camp

Job Fair

Program history:

In 2003, the Department of Labor (DOL) awarded a grant to the National Association of Manufacturers Center for Workforce Success (NAM) for the purpose of workforce development programs. NAM selected CEA to receive a portion of that grant to act as a Workforce Development Intermediary.

With this grant, CEA created a one week employment training program called Manufacturing Boot Camp and served as the liaison between: 1) manufacturers who have jobs they are unable to fill, 2) unemployed workers wanting to work and become independent of government assistance, and 3) the public and private agencies having difficulty filling this skills gap.

Because of the success of Manufacturing Boot Camp, CEA has collaborated with SETA (Sacramento Employment and Training Agency), LEED (Linking Education and Economic Development), to provide Construction Boot Camps and SWBH (Sacramento Works for Better Health) to provide the Employment Fast-Start Program (a boot camp program for the hospitality and customer service industry).

Additionally CEA has conducted train-the-trainer programs and workshops in California, Florida, North Dakota, Texas, and Washington DC.

If you are a Job-Seeker, click here to find out more about the training program.

If you are an Employer, click here to find out how to become a Participating Employer.

Train the Trainer Program

Because of the success of the Manufacturing, Construction, and Customer Service Boot Camps, CEA has published an Employment Boot Camp Manual and developed a Train-the-Trainer Program. CEA Staff has conducted train-the-trainer programs and workshops for organizations in California, Florida, North Dakota, Texas, and Washington DC.

CEA Staff will assist your organization in developing and implementing the following:

  • Program Development: establish timeline & confirm program curriculum
  • Recruitment: assist in coordinating employer and participant recruitment
  • Orientation: supervise recruitment day
  • Screening: oversee drug screening and employment verification process
  • Training: manage 5-day boot camp training process
  • Graduation/Job Fair: administer graduation and interview process
  • Follow-up: as needed regarding job placement and retention

Along with train-the-trainer, your organization will also receive a copy of the Employment Boot Camp Manual and a CD of all forms used to implement the program.

For more information, please contact Terry Paterson at 1-800-399-5331 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Outplacement Services

For businesses who are downsizing, CEA provides employment training services to displaced employees through the following job search workshops:

  • Interview Skills, Mock Interviews, Applications and Resumes
  • Job search tips
  • Interview process (preparation, etiquette/effectiveness, the sell, the interview, post-interview)
  • Interview questions
  • Mock interview session
  • How to complete an application (how to/tips, different parts)
  • Resume Writing (purpose, formats, tips, samples)

Customized Employment Boot Camps

For businesses who are recruiting employees, CEA provides an On-site Employment Boot Camp Program which includes recruitment, employment screening, drug testing, and the following job skills training for new employees:

  • True Colors for the Work Place (personality assessment)
  • Skills Assessment (following directions, accuracy, basic math, and comprehension)
  • Safety Training
  • Customer Service
  • Conflict Management
  • Diversity Training
  • Sexual Harassment Awareness
  • Interview Skills
  • Applications and Resumes
  • Becoming an Indispensable Employee
Job Fair Job Fair