STAFF REPORT
ciry of BURBANt,
BURBANK
PUBLIC
LIBRARY
DATE: May 24, 2022
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Elizabeth Goldman, Library Services Director Elizaboth doe SUBJECT: Consideration of a Discussion of Hosting a Media Industry Job Fair
RECOMMENDATION
Direct staff whether to bring back for City Council consideration a complete analysis of hosting a media industry job fair.
BACKGROUND
At the City Council meeting of March 1, 2022, Mayor Talamantes requested a discussion of the City-hosted job fair focused on the media industry. Pursuant to the Council's "One Step-Two Step" policy, this report has been placed on the Council's agenda as a first step report. The purpose of this report is to allow the Council to determine whether the City should spend additional staff resources to prepare a full analysis for discussion by Council.
In September 2021, the City's workforce office, Burbank Employment Connection (BEC), moved to the Library Services Department. One of the roles of BEC is to organize job fairs. The Library also hosts the Spark! Digital Media Lab, a technology space focused on providing access to the training and tools used in the media industry.
DISCUSSION
The media industry is Burbank's largest, with entertainment-related jobs making up an estimated 35,800 of Burbank's 132,000 jobs, according to the City's Economic Development Department. Many of these jobs are highly paid and desirable. Some have barriers to entry, among them advanced technical skills and requirements for membership in a union or guild. Along with the major studios like Disney and Warner Bros., there are dozens of smaller companies in Burbank that are part of the media industry sector. 1 A potential job fair could be targeted at a variety of populations, from those looking to get into the media industry for the first time to those looking to move up or change jobs. Given that this industry generally does not have challenges finding interested and qualified applicants, it is unclear which employers would be willing to participate.
Staff anticipate it would take several months to develop the concept. In addition, data from other regional job fairs suggests post-pandemic changes that either mean less interest in job fairs or less urgency for job seekers at the present time. A potential media industry job fair would not likely take place until early 2023.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact related to preparing a full analysis. Developing and delivering a job fair would have costs for rental of space and equipment, food, speaker fees, and similar costs. These expenses have not been included in the proposed FY22-23 budget.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends Council discuss the information presented in this report and provide direction to staff regarding whether to bring back for Council consideration a full analysis of a media industry job fair.
ATTACHMENT
None.
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