ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and Economic Development Department with a Request to APPROVE Revisions to the JOBS TRAINING PROGRAM.
Body
BACKGROUND: On September 12, 2017 City Council approved the allocation of $50,000 for job training programs in the South Village TIF (SVTIF) and additionally approved the release of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for service providers and employers to administer job training programs in the South Village TIF (SVTIF). A total of five (5) proposals were received: Gifts in the Moment (gitm) Foundation, Peoria Public Schools District 150, Tri-County Urban League, ELITE and METEC. The total request of SV TIF funds for job training programs was $199,258. An overview of the individual programs are included below:
Gifts in the Moment (gitm) Foundation:
Urban Agriculture Apprenticeship Program
• Occupational skills training in agriculture.
• Adult apprentices will learn agriculture practices, develop sound business planning skills and have greater opportunities to create agriculture micro businesses.
• 10-22 adults
Peoria Public Schools District 150:
Pre-Apprenticeship Program/Nursing
• Occupational skills training in healthcare.
• Peoria Public School high school students will learn medical vocational proficiencies through class room instruction and on the job training. Unity Point, OSF, Peoria City County Health Department and Heartland Health Services will provide on the job training, job shadowing, and internship opportunities.
• 22 high school students
Tri-County Urban League:
Job Readiness and Placement Program
• Career pathway exploration, job readiness training, and career placement in high growth sectors (i.e. manufacturing, logistics)
• Post-secondary education referrals to ICC for occupational skills certificates and training.
• 25 adults
ELITE:
Re-entry Job Readiness Program
• Soft skills training for ex-offenders.
• Key program components include employee etiquette, life skills, resume building, interview skills, and job referrals.
• 40 ex-offender adults
METEC:
Employment Preparation and Job Training Program
• Basic and occupational skills training in contracting and maintenance.
• Assigned an employment coach for career placement and retention.
• 50 adults
Staff recommendation is to revise the jobs training program to expand throughout the city and to use the American Rescue Plan fund allocation to fund the enhancement of the program availability and the types of programs available withing the program. Staff recommendations include:
• Expand availability to any eligible throughout City of Peoria
• Increase the maximum reimbursement amount to $50,000
• Provide programs specifically in area defined as Qualified Census Tracts
• Administrative approval limit for this program set at $50,000
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Use American Rescue Recovery Act funds. This investment promotes jobs training in qualified census tracts. Builds the available jobs training throughout the city. Allocation of $300,000 is requested.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: This benefit is available throughout the city impact each neighborhood.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: City would be supporting a workforce in alignment with local employment demands
IMPACT IF DENIED: The City would continue to provide the benefits of this program at lower levels of support. Deployment of the Fiscal Recovery Funds would be challenged and required to be redeployed to meet distribution requirements.
ALTERNATIVES: None
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER:
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2017 - 2032 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Financially Sound City
2. Grow Peoria
3. Beautiful Peoria
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Grow employers and jobs.
2. Support sustainability.
3. Have an efficient government.
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office