“The local workforce development system has historically served vulnerable populations through the Workforce Investment Act and Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA), though the term race and equity has only recently established a presence in the language and voices of those leading the industry. The term rose to fruition during the 2020 civil unrest caused by the systemic racism and intentional targeting of black and brown citizens by the country’s justice system. The documented police brutality, historic protests, and societies racial tension sparked a new meaning for how the workforce system addresses inequities in labor markets and targets how historically disenfranchised individuals access services. Through the leadership of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency (LWDA), California Workforce Association (CWA), and California’s Local Workforce Development Boards (CA LWDBs), race and equity has become an intentional priority in convenings, technical assistance, and legislation across the State’s workforce development system.” – CWA’s Comprehensive Approach to Advancing Racial Equity

Race and Equity Resources and Initiatives

• CWA’s Comprehensive Approach to Advancing Racial Equity
• CWA’s “Establishing a Race and Equity Framework” PPT Presentation
• CWA’s Race and Equity Acton Plan
• Race Forward’s Workforce Development Racial Equity Readiness Assessment Tool
• CWA’s Race and Equity Work Group Agenda Example

If you have any questions regarding this page please email Matthew Hayes: mailto: mhayes@calworkforce.org