Ventura County NextGen, The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County’s new youth-focused program, is helping local youth and young adults overcome barriers to employment and embark on successful careers.

The most recently available numbers show that only 88.1% of Ventura County high school seniors graduated in 2022; while this is slightly higher than California’s average graduation rate, it still leaves nearly 12% of Ventura County youth exiting school without their high school diploma. Those with lower household incomes have significantly lower graduation rates than those with higher incomes. This demographic already deals with the difficulties of entering the workforce at a young age. However, their participation in the workforce is down nearly 3% nationally when comparing February 2024 to February 2020 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Recognizing this critical need in Ventura County, the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDBVC) is seeking to pave the way for youth and young adults as they mitigate their unemployment or lack of career pathways; WDBVC has unveiled “Ventura County NextGen,” a revitalized youth program aimed at preparing Ventura County’s future workforce with essential skills and readiness.

Ventura County NextGen is a no-cost education and career development program specifically created for youth and young adults ages 14-24. Developed with input from local youth and young adults, the program offers a unique and relatable approach to career exploration and growth while helping them overcome employment barriers. Their supportive services include:

GED completion or assistance in obtaining a High School diploma

One-on-one career coaching and mentorship, with personalized guidance to help participants identify their strengths and set career goals

Resume writing and editing

Interview coaching, job search advice, and overall preparation for the hiring process

Internship and apprenticeship opportunities in relevant work fields

Credential or degree attainment

and so much more!

Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties is the current contracted service provider for the WDBVC’s youth program, which goes beyond employment assistance. Alongside aiding in employment-specific areas, Goodwill also provides vital support for youth navigating unstable living situations, housing insecurity, teenage pregnancy, justice-involved pasts, language barriers, and transportation challenges. These comprehensive services are expertly managed through Goodwill, ensuring holistic support for all participants.

“We understand the challenges youth and young adults face in today’s job market, especially those experiencing barriers to employment,” said Andrea Sanchez, Senior Manager, Workforce Development Board of Ventura County. “Ventura County NextGen extends beyond conventional job training. This wrap-around system prioritizes personalized coaching, assists participants in overcoming barriers to education and employment, and facilitates connections with opportunities that align closely with their aspirations.”

This critical program is available to all local youth and young adults ages 14-24 and functions in conjunction with Ventura County WORKS, a similar program for adults – especially those with disabilities, justice-involved pasts, or housing insecurity. WDBVC hopes that its commitment and dedication to combatting employment barriers through various supportive services and programs will help the most in-need in Ventura County in this post-pandemic economy.

If you or someone you know could benefit from this incredible no-cost program, visit VCNextGen.org or call 805-648-WORK to learn more and get started today.

Additionally, if you are a business in Ventura County seeking an eager employee, apprentice, or intern, you can reach out to WDBVC at https://workforceventuracounty.org/employers/business-solutions/, and they will help connect you with a worker who fits your business needs. Along with easily accessible help from real-life people, a multitude of resources are at your disposal, including a virtual hiring board that will help you find your next great employee.

Pictured left to right: Amisha DeYoung-Dominguez, Michelle Sevilla, Liz Campos, Vathana Chy, Joe Schroder, Bill Ayub, Angelica Cisneros, Charlie Ebeling)

by Tracy Marcynzsyn

Ventura Mayor Joe Schroeder, Councilmembers, key stakeholders, and agency representatives gathered at the Westpark Community Center on Thursday, May 2, to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Ventura River Trail Improvements Project.

The first groundbreaking event in several years, the project is made possible by a $5 million grant from Caltrans as part of the Clean California program.

“Cal Trans is a proud partner with the City of Ventura by providing nearly $5 million through the Clean California local grant program in an effort to enhance the community to improve space for walking and recreation,” noted Caltrans Senior Landscape Architect Vathana Chy, adding that “Two of my favorite things to do are biking and hiking, so this is a great place!

“The Ventura River Trail Improvement Project is one of the many Clean California local grant programs and safety-related projects intended to clean up and bring beauty to underserved communities. The goal is to transform our public space into areas that we can be proud of and have a sense of place,” noted Chy, who commended the audience for embracing the Clean California spirit and sharing a vision for an improved active transportation network in the city.

“We look forward to partnering on projects here in the future,” he added.

Improvements to the Ventura River Trail, which travels along state route 33, connecting the westside of Ventura to Ojai and the ocean, include repaving the city’s 1.8-mile stretch of the bike trail, adding solar lighting, and installing trash cans, bike maintenance stations, landscaping, art installations, and various trail user amenities.

“We are dedicated to sustainable recreation and fostering connection within our community,” said Mayor Schroeder, expressing appreciation and thanks to all involved with the project.

“It’s a real pleasure to do the groundbreaking on a project first starting out,” said Public Works Director Charlie Ebeling, just one month into his new position.

“The trail’s an important part of the city’s active transportation program. It provides facilities that connect communities in a healthier, more sustainable way,” said Ebeling, noting that the Ventura River Trail was originally constructed as a Rails to Trails project in the late 1990s.

With an anticipated completion date this fall, the project promotes recreation by improving access and enhancing trail amenities.

“About 200 trees, 180 solar lights, a rest station, drinking fountains—all of these amenities are really going to help this trail and bring people out of their cars, riding their bikes, whether it’s for recreation, for health, or to get back and forth to work,” said Project Manager Jeff Hereford, Principal Civil Engineer in the Public Works Department. “We are excited about this project! Thanks to all involved!”

Learn more about the Ventura River Trail Improvement Project at cityofventura.ca.gov/VenturaRiverTrail.

The class consisted of an exceptional group of students and instructors.

by Patricia Schallert

From April 15 – 19, the Ventura City Fire Department put 17 students through the CSFM Rope Rescue Technician course at the Ventura Botanical Gardens. This course, which is the second in a series, builds upon the students’ existing skills and focuses on the art of rope-based rescue. Throughout the training, the students and instructors were immersed in intricate scenarios, and were challenged with advanced techniques in order to execute successful rescues.

The training provided to the students was far from restrictive, preparing them for a diverse range of rescue scenarios. Engineer Eric Caddock, from Ventura Fire Station 5C, expressed his thoughts on the matter. He emphasized that “the expertise of the Ventura Fire Department extends beyond the confines of a single environment.”

Eric added, “Training covers a wide array of settings, from challenging industrial landscapes featuring cranes and towers, to the natural hillsides, deep valleys, and barrancas. “Our firefighters are equipped with the necessary skills to rescue individuals who find themselves stranded on steep slopes in hiking parks”. Additionally, we devote our efforts to aiding those whose vehicles have encountered mishaps down embankments, necessitating the use of a robust rope system to safely retrieve them.” It’s quite incredible to note that VFD has even conducted rescues from the heights of a crane ride at the Ventura County Fair!

The class consisted of an exceptional group of students and instructors belonging to the esteemed California Regional Task Force 7. Comprised of the courageous firefighters of Ventura City Fire Department, Ventura County Fire Department, and Oxnard Fire Department, this task force tackles the most challenging urban search and rescue missions across the state of California.

With the generous support of federal grant funding and the cooperation of agencies within Regional Task Force 7, VFD is able to provide this valuable training. While  firefighters already train extensively every day to handle a variety of emergency situations, this specific course spanned a duration of 5 days.  The skills acquired by the students during this intensive program will continue to be honed and utilized throughout their entire careers.

Under the guidance of the remarkable Firefighter Miguel Martinez, students learned the crucial role of guiding and tending to the basket. Miguel’s expertise ensured that the basket remained free from any obstacles and the safety of the victim was prioritized at all times.

These words from Eric Caddock, Engineer from Ventura Fire Station Fire Station “The extensive training and capabilities of the Ventura Fire Department. With their unwavering commitment to excellence, they consistently rise to the occasion, providing invaluable aid and support in a variety of challenging situations.”