9 September 8, 2026
Honorable Mayor and City Council
City of Long Beach
California
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation to authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and any necessary documents, subcontracts, and subsequent amendments, including amendments to the award amount or agreement term, with the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) to accept $400,000 from the LBUSD Strong Workforce Program grant to provide workforce development services to LBUSD students for the term of June 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to enter into an agreement with the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) and to accept and expend $400,000 in funding made available under the LBUSD Strong Workforce Program (SWP) grant. The funding will support a dedicated position within the Economic Development and Opportunity Department, Workforce Development Bureau, Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network (LBWIN), to implement a comprehensive partnership with LBUSD focused on expanding career awareness, work-based learning opportunities, and employer engagement for students. Through this collaboration, LBWIN and LBUSD will design and deliver programs and events that strengthen school-to- career pathways, foster partnerships between education and industry and prepare students for successful transitions into post-secondary education and employment.
Under the proposed agreement, LBWIN will provide workforce readiness and soft-skills training through structured workshops equipping LBUSD students with professional communication, leadership, interview preparation, and workplace competencies aligned with employer expectations.
LBWIN will also partner with LBUSD to coordinate several signature career exploration and workforce development initiatives, including:
Long Beach College & Career Expo, where LBWIN will recruit employers to participate and collaborate with LBUSD and community partners on outreach and marketing efforts to maximize student participation.
Space Beach Academy, an aerospace career exploration program that will introduce students to careers in the aerospace industry through industry-led programming, company field trips, and hands-on project-based learning experiences. Youth Summer Job and Internship Fair, connecting LBUSD students directly with employers offering work-based learning, internships, and employment opportunities.
Economic Development and Opportunity
411 West Ocean Boulevard, 10th Floor, Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 570-6099
Honorable Mayor and City Council
September 8, 2026
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Trades Day, an event designed to expose students to careers in the skilled trades through employer and labor partner participation, interactive demonstrations, guest speakers, and potential field experiences at local apprenticeship training centers and union facilities.
In addition to these events, LBWIN will collaborate with LBUSD, local Chambers of Commerce, and industry partners to develop and pilot an employer-recognized Workforce Readiness Badge Program. The credential will validate students' workplace competencies and provide employers with a recognized indicator of career readiness.
LBWIN will also expand apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, paid internship, and other work- based learning opportunities by partnering with local employers, labor organizations, and community colleges. Services will include identifying employer partners, coordinating student placements, facilitating linkage agreements, and providing technical assistance.
LBUSD students will be prioritized for pathway-aligned pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship opportunities that establish clear transitions into registered apprenticeship programs.
Finally, LBWIN will provide job search assistance, employer referrals, and unsubsidized employment placement services for LBUSD students. These services will help students access employment opportunities, career resources, and workforce events while strengthening long- term connections between local employers and the City's emerging workforce.
This partnership advances the City's commitment to developing a skilled local workforce by expanding equitable access to career exploration, work-based learning, and employment opportunities for Long Beach youth while strengthening the talent pipeline for the region's key industries.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Atoy H. Wilson on August 20, 2026 and by Budget Management Officer Nader Kaamoush on August 26, 2026.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on September 8, 2026, to facilitate the processing of required documents to ensure the contracts are in place expeditiously.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will receive $400,000 in grant revenue from the Long Beach Unified School District Strong Workforce Program for the period of June 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028. Grant funding will be used for the continued support of one full-time position within the Workforce Development Bureau of the Economic Development and Opportunity Department as well as associated program, operating, and administrative costs. These funds will supplement programs currently operated by LBWIN with local, State, and federal workforce grants, and no City match is required.
There is currently sufficient appropriation in the Community Development Grants Fund Group in the Economic Development and Opportunity Department. This recommendation has no staffing Honorable Mayor and City Council
September 8, 2026
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impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities.
Approval of this recommendation will strengthen school-to-career pathways by expanding workforce readiness training, career exploration, internships, pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, and employment opportunities for LBUSD students through partnerships with local employers, educational institutions, and industry organizations.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully submitted,
Bo Martinez
Director
Economic Development and Opportunity