LIVERMORE, Calif., December 4, 2020— Associated Builders and Contractors Northern California (ABC NorCal) has joined Goodwill of Silicon Valley to assist with the newly formed Work Experience Program (WEX) by providing training staff for the electrical and construction sessions. This program was developed in summer 2020 in a response to the rise in job loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. WEX is funded by the CARES Act and provides training in high-demand industries such as electrical, construction, HVAC, medical assistant, and others.

“The WEX Program is specific to community members that their careers have been impacted by COVID-19,” stated Vanessa Lira, Program Manager for the New Opportunity Work Program at Goodwill of Silicon Valley. “Not only does this program offer basic job training and guidance to enter a new workforce but offers up to $4,000 in supportive services.”

Upon successful completion of the WEX Program, participants in the ABC NorCal partnered programs (electrical and construction) receive certificates for the following:

“We are suffering from a national shortage of workers in construction and trades and it is particularly acute here in San Jose and the Bay Area,” San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo stated while visiting the training program on December 3rd to encourage and congratulate participants. “Getting more individuals into the trades is going to be critical to enable this to be a more affordable place for everyone.”

ABC NorCal and Goodwill of Silicon Valley believe promoting a strong foundational education base increases the possibility in the development of life-long learners to obtain skills to become Construction Professionals.

All program trainings are held outdoors, seating socially distanced, and participants are required to wear masks in order to comply with city and state safety guidelines.

More information about the WEX program and the application process can be found here. Information about ABC NorCal’s training and apprenticeship opportunities can be found here.