Workforce

Labor market information for employers and businesses can be found through the California Employment Development Department, including a Sonoma County labor market profile.  The Sonoma County Economic Development Board also provides data, including an Annual Labor Market Review.

For employers, the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce offers 2009 Employer Compliance  products to members, at a discount.  The Business Education Roundtable (BERT), a partnership of the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Sonoma Valley Unified School District, has developed several successful initiatives, including job shadowing, mock interviews, and internships for high school students with local businesses.  For more information, contact the Chamber.

The Sonoma Valley Adult School offers onsite workplace training in both English as a Second Language (ESL) and Spanish.  Vocabulary can be tailored by occupation for agriculture, the hospitality industry, medical workers, and landscaping and construction.  Customized training is also available to your employees in computer applications, including website design, MS Office Suite, Photoshop, and desktop publishing.  The Adult School also offers career and technical education programs, as well as Adult Basic Education, including GED.

The Sonoma County Employer Advisory Council provides member employers with access to a "management hotline" to assist with employment law questions, among other benefits.

Sonoma County's Workforce Investment Board (WIB) oversees the Joblink program, which provides help for job seekers as well as Business Services.  The WIB also works closely with the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) on career programs offered through the Regional Occupation Program, such as the WorkReady Certificate Program.  Publications of SCOE include Career Pathways information.