March 24, 2026
DocID #62398v1
Library and Community Services
DATE: March 24, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
LaShonda White, Deputy City Manager of Library and
Community Services
Tamara Walker, Deputy Director of
Community Services, Employment and Training Division
Subject:
Accept and Appropriate Employment and Training Grant
Awards
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed $226,601 expenditure is funded by workforce development grants from Construction Training Workforce Initiative (CTWI), Chevron, Pinole Youth
Foundation, and the California Employment Development
Department (EDD). The budget for the Employment &
Training Department will be increased by $226,601, and
corresponding revenue accounts will be established upon appropriation. There is no net change to the overall
budget.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Construction Training Workforce Initiative (CTWI),
Chevron, Pinole Youth Foundation, and the California
Employment Development Department (EDD) awarded
the City of Richmond’s Employment & Training
Department various grants totaling $226,601. The funds
will support RichmondBUILD trainees, pay participants to set up and dismantle the Chevron stage for community
events, assist the upcoming trades fair in April 2026, and provide services to laid-off residents.
AGENDA
REPORT
March 24, 2026
DocID #62398v1
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ACCEPT and APPROPRIATE $246,601 in workforce
development grant funds from Construction Trades
Workforce Initiative ($67,000), Chevron ($20,000), Pinole Youth Foundation ($10,000), and the California
Employment Development Department ($149,601) to
support workforce development programs and services,
including supportive services for RichmondBUILD
participants, wages for event stage setup and
dismantling, the Youth Trade Fair, and rapid response
and layoff aversion services; and AUTHORIZE the city
manager, or their designee, to execute all necessary
documentation – Community Services Department
(Tamara Walker 510-307-8006/LaShonda White 510-
620-6828).
DISCUSSION:
The City of Richmond’s Employment and Training Department was awarded a total of $226,601 in grant funds:
Construction Trades Workforce Initiative (CTWI) ($47,000) – To provide supportive services to participants of RichmondBUILD, a construction pre- apprenticeship program, through June 30, 2025 (Attachment 1).
Chevron ($20,000) – Annual funding to provide wages for participants who set up and dismantle the Chevron stage at Richmond community events. Furthermore, City staff is exploring and obtaining pricing for portable, modular stage options for City use that can be easily assembled, dismantled, and stored, providing a flexible solution for a variety of City events and programs. (Attachment 2).
Pinole Youth Foundation ($10,000) – The Foundation supports youth interested in entering the trades. The funds will be used to host the upcoming Youth Trade Fair in late April 2026. The money was donated by the Pinole Youth Foundation as the foundation was closing (Attachment 3).
California Employment Development Department (EDD) ($149,601) – To deliver early intervention strategies and employer engagement to mitigate the impact of layoffs through rapid response and layoff aversion services. This includes coordinating with businesses facing downsizing to connect affected workers with reemployment services and working with employers to identify solutions to prevent layoffs, such as incumbent worker training and operational support strategies. This funding was approved at the August 25 City Council meeting; however, the funds were not calculated correctly. The amount for Rapid Response was not included in the overall amount (Attachment 4).
Construction Trades Workforce Initiative (CTWI) ($20,000) – An additional
March 24, 2026
DocID #62398v1
$20,000 for the current Resilient Workforce Grant. Funds must be spent by March 31, 2026 (Attachment 5).
The funds will support RichmondBUILD trainees, pay participants to set up and dismantle the Chevron stage for community events, assist the upcoming trades fair in April 2026, and provide services to laid-off residents. These new grants will expand access to training and quality job placement opportunities for Richmond youth and young adults.
SYNERGISTIC POLICIES:
This action aligns with the City Council’s priorities to:
Advances the City of Richmond’s Workforce Development and Youth Opportunity policies by expanding access to job training, paid work experience, and career pathways for youth, young adults, and dislocated workers. Aligns with State and Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) priorities, including rapid response, layoff aversion, employer engagement, and reemployment services funded through California EDD.
Promotes equity and economic mobility by prioritizing underserved residents and individuals impacted by layoffs for workforce services and training opportunities. Leverages public-private partnerships with Chevron, CTWI, and the Pinole Youth Foundation to deliver community benefits and workforce outcomes without General Fund impact.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – CTWI MOU
Attachment 2 – Chevron Award Letter
Attachment 3 – Pinole Youth Foundation heck
Attachment 4 – Rapid Response Award Recipients Spreadsheet Attachment 5 – CTWI Additional Funds Available