Secretary Ross joins state colleagues to champion workforce development as an economic driver

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross, along with the California Jobs First Council, recently toured the Livermore headquarters of GILLIG, the leading heavy-duty transit bus manufacturer in the United States. GILLIG's commitment to investing in its workforce and pioneering clean, zero-emission buses illustrates how companies can be powerful economic drivers. This is precisely what the Jobs First Council aims to achieve through a grant program that will support regional projects around the state and create thousands of jobs.

Governor Newsom launched the Jobs First Council earlier this year to help reshape California's economic landscape. The council is co-chaired by Dee Dee Myers, Senior Advisor to the Governor and Director of the Governor's Office of Business & Economic Development; and Stewart Knox, Secretary of Labor & Workforce Development. The council's focus is fostering job creation and regional growth in 13 targeted areas across the state.

"I look forward to learning about the opportunities identified in the regional plans for jobs of the future in the rapidly evolving technologies in food and ag production, as well as environmental leadership on working lands, the circular economy, and building healthy, resilient local food systems", said Secretary Ross.

With $182 million in grants available through the Governor's Regional Investment Initiative, the council will accelerate economic and workforce projects across California. This funding will support diverse industries, driving innovation and job development throughout the state.