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Home > Jobs and the Economy |
Don Knabe. Working for you. |
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TOP STORY - MAY 29, 2008
Veterans Benefit From County Employment Program |
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A Veteran of the Army National Guard has become the first permanent employee hired by Los Angeles County through a program designed to give special access to employment and internship opportunities to Veterans.
Created through an August 2006 motion by Supervisors’ Don Knabe and Michael D. Antonovich, the Veterans Internship Program (VIP) is available to local military Veterans who have been honorably discharged. Participants are hired into paid internships in various County departments, lasting up to 24 months, and receive benefits and additional job training throughout their internship. VIP participants are then eligible to compete for permanent County positions.
On May 14, Kunny Yin became the first permanent County employee hired through the Veterans Internship Program when he was appointed an IT Tech Support Analyst II within the Department of the Treasurer and Tax Collector. Mr. Yin is a Long Beach resident and was initially hired into the internship program in December 2007, and once he was hired as a permanent employee earlier this month, he jumped 18 steps on the County pay scale. He served in the Army National Guard for three years, until 2006, and was trained as a computer information analyst.
“The program really helped me get my foot in the door towards permanent employment,” said Yin. “My whole experience throughout the internship was nothing but a good thing.”
A total of 50 Veterans have been placed by the VIP Program and are currently working in internships across the County in 10 different departments, including 14 in the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, 13 in the Probation Department, and 11 in the Department of Public Social Services. The County was also honored as “Employer of the Year” by the California Employer Advisory Council for providing outstanding employment services to Veterans.
“Our Veterans have served our nation and sacrificed their lives for our freedom,” said Supervisor Antonovich. “This program provides our Veterans the opportunity to apply their skills, learn new ones and compete effectively for employment."
“The County has jobs available in many areas that require very special skills or training, the same skills or training that Veterans often receive during their service to our nation,” said Supervisor Knabe. “Matching the wonderful talents of our Veterans, to needs of the County, in the form of a permanent job is a great way to honor the service of our nations Veterans.”
Interested Veterans are encouraged to visit http://dhr.lacounty.info or call
(213) 738-2175.
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ABOVE: Six months after Los Angeles County allocated funds to create jobs for the local youth, the investment has yielded over 3,400 jobs. |
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Don Knabe. Working for you. Jobs and the Economy
Accomplishments |
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Successful Job Program for Veterans
 A County program introduced by Supervisor Don Knabe and Supervisor Mike Antonovich to assist veterans with employment opportunities is seeing tremendous success. The program is available to local military veterans who have been honorably discharged, the County recruits applicants whose training, education and skills match those needed by the County. Successful applicants are hired as trainees for up to 24 months and receive job training and experience. They receive benefits and are eligible to compete for permanent County positions.Funding Youth Jobs throughout the County
After Los Angeles County allocated $6.5 million to create jobs for the local youth, the investment has yielded 3,436 jobs Countywide, with 499 jobs in the Fourth District alone. The motion, introduced by Supervisors Don Knabe and Zev Yaroslavsky during the County’s budget hearings, was unanimously approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. |
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Creating New Jobs in the South Bay
Supervisor Knabe recently committed $150,000 to finance a new session of the Energy Pathways project, a program that trains and connects individuals with high-paying jobs at oil refineries in the South Bay.Developing Job Opportunities for Veterans
The County of Los Angeles plans to assist local military veterans with employment opportunities under a plan developed by Supervisors Don Knabe and Michael D. Antonovich. The program, approved by the Board of Supervisors, directs County departments to begin internship programs for Veterans including employment outreach, new hiring protocols and education opportunities |
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Developing Jobs for Military Veterans
The County of Los Angeles is assisting local military veterans with employment opportunities under a plan developed by Supervisors Knabe and Michael D. Antonovich. As part of this effort to provide Veterans with employment opportunities, the County will develop training classes appropriate for Veterans, modify job classifications where needed, and give work experience credit where appropriate for previous military service and training.
Creating High-Paying Career Opportunities
Supervisor Knabe helped implement the innovative Career Pathways Program, a new employment pilot project designed to provide scientific training and high-income job opportunities for foster youth, dislocated workers and disadvantaged adults. Program participants received free college-level training in basic skills and industry-specific training, as well as free supportive services such as child care and employment counseling. When participants successfully complete the training, they will be given preferential priority to a job at corporate sites like ConocoPhillips, BP, Valero and Exxon-Mobil. Over 50 residents from South Bay communities have already completed the program, resulting in high-paying jobs at local refineries.
Providing Job Skills and Training for Public Housing Residents
2006 marked the 10th Anniversary of The Growing Experience Program at the Carmelitos Housing Project in Long Beach. The goal of the program is to train public housing residents in the landscape industry and to empower them with useful job skills, and it has succeeded in both. In partnership with the University of California Cooperative Extension, over 138 public housing residents have participated in the training program, enabling them to develop employable skills in landscaping.
Fighting for the Boeing C-17
Supervisor Knabe currently serves as part of the C-17 “Red Team,” a group of local, state and federal elected leaders that are fighting for the continued production of the Boeing C-17 Military Transport Aircraft at its Long Beach Airport Factory.
Managing Air Traffic Growth in Southern California
Supervisor Knabe led a successful effort to re-launch the Southern California Regional Airport Authority (SCRAA) with the goal of addressing future air traffic growth on a regional, multi-county and multi-city approach. SCRAA brings together key stakeholders to integrate individual and sometimes conflicting needs to ultimately initiate a system of complementary airports that meet the aviation needs of Southern California.
Funding Summer Jobs for Youth
When other funding sources became unavailable, Supervisor Knabe worked with Supervisor Yaroslavsky to provide County funds to sustain the program. The Youth Jobs program is a partnership of cities, Workforce Investment Boards and community agencies that work together to help at-risk kids across the County learn and practice the skills needed to succeed in life, through summer jobs, internships and training. As a result, over 4,000 youth County-wide were served this past summer. |
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$100,000 lead donation from Supervisor Knabe helps fund advocacy efforts to keep Los Angeles Air Force Base off the Department of Defense closure list. The El Segundo facility manages some $60 billion in defense contracts and employees over 4,500 workers. Another 125,000 jobs across California are tied to Los Angeles Air Force Base.
Various government agencies, including Los Angeles County, settle a lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles to will ensure future growth constraints at Los Angeles International Airport.
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Supervisor Knabe championed the community attempt to block the unnecessary split of the 310 area code by the California Public Utilities Commission into a separate 310/424 area code overlay. |
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Five local employers honored by Supervisor Knabe for their commitment to provide employment opportunities to County residents transitioning off of welfare. At the time, the five companies had hired over 700 employees through the program, which came about as part of the welfare reform initiatives of 1996 that Supervisor Knabe helped implement. |
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$650,000 Community Development Commission loan made by Supervisor Knabe to the La Mirada Volunteer Center, which provides employment outreach and job training services to area residents.
Legislation by Supervisor Knabe allows County department new flexibility in hiring contract or temporary employees to fill new government jobs. This effort allows the County greater flexibility in filling tough-to-recruit positions. |
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