Workforce Development

How CEA works with WIB's:

• 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.
• Recruitment Screening Services
• 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.

Golden Sierra WIB: CEA manages and facilitates networking forums and workshops for Highly Skilled Professionals. ProNet Connect is a professional network group that provides resources and support for the unemployed and displaced professionals in Placer County. ProNet meetings are held weekly at the Connections Workforce Development and Business Resource Centers located in Roseville and Auburn. ProNet is where members meet and interact with their peers and invited guests. The weekly Forum meetings seek to provide professionals with assistance during their career transition to successfully obtain employment.  We have had 60 % of our members hired after the first year of our program with 10% deciding to start their own business. CEA also offers a free HR Hotline for local employers and facilitates local Employer Forums and Webinars. For more information contact Daniela Devitt, Director Outreach Programs, 916-396-9298.

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 / ProNet is a facilitated networking forum for unemployed professionals.  It is a place for executives and professionals to meet and interact with their peers and expert guest speakers.  ProNet seeks to provide professionals with assistance during their career transition by offering weekly meetings focused on resources, skills and opportunities to successfully obtain employment.  Forums include (but are not limited to):

• Strategies for Job Search Success
• Strength Finders
• Building Your Personal Brand
• Using Your Network – Introduction to Social Media,
• Blogging for the Professional
• Resume Workshop for Professionals
• Resume Critiques & Peer Review
• Interview Strategies for 2010
• Watch Your Body Language
• How to set up an Informational Interview
• Behavioral Interviews Workshop             
• Getting to the Yes – What to do after the Interview!
• Salary Negotiation

California Employers Association (CEA) and the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) a division of Vietnam Veterans of California, Inc. (VVC) are seeking sponsorship for a 16-week training specifically designed for Veterans entering the challenging job market.

Our customized program assists veterans in their transition with post-military careers. For many veterans the transition from military to civilian life is difficult and many have returned to find there are few jobs available.

The VETNet Forum provides transition assistance by leveraging experiences and providing peer support. Professional Edge Veterans workshops provide an array of career development services to prepare the returning veterans for successful careers. CEA’s Professional Edge programs resulted in 80% of their participants hired in the last fiscal year with salaries averaging over 50K.The Veteran Business Outreach Center, a division of VVC and CEA need you to help put our veterans back
to work.

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.

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 .

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