Committee adopts Year 27 Workforce Development annual plan with roughly $96.8 million in proposed funding

The Economic Development and Jobs Committee on June 16 approved the City Administrative Officer’s (CAO) Year 27 Workforce Development annual plan and related reports, authorizing the Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD) and the Workforce Development Board (WDB) to implement a program-year budget and service strategy for 2026–27.

Julie Jacobi of the CAO’s office, who presented the report, said, “The Year 27 Annual Plan is comprised of approximately $96.8 million to fund the department's workforce development strategies and activities.” The plan lists funding sources including Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) formula and discretionary grants, Los Angeles County grants, City general fund dollars and prior-year carryovers.

Jacobi told the committee the plan projects about $10 million less than the current year but that subsequent state allocations — including a new $1 million discretionary grant for biotech from the State Employment Development Department — increase the allocation about $1 million. “So overall, you know, as of now, we're projecting about $8 million less than what we have in the current year,” she said.

The plan continues a package of youth employment and training programs. Jacobi said the city received about $23 million from the state in the current year and has been notified of just under $18 million for the coming program year; together with city and county investments (roughly $2.5 million in general fund and about $5 million from Los Angeles County), she said the combined programs are expected to serve about 6,000 youth. Jacobi added that all programs are scheduled to start July 1.

Committee members also questioned impacts to day labor centers after recent enforcement actions. Jacobi said the mayor’s adopted budget and the council’s budget include funding to keep day labor centers operating and that an additional roughly $500,000 was announced after the annual plan was drafted; programs have adjusted operations and increased supportive services (food and other supports) in response to increased demand.

On workforce-industry partnerships, Jacobi said the biotech grant will be implemented through the workforce system and three community colleges and that the city also partners with industry groups such as Biocom; she said the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator is not a partner for the biotech allocation.

Jacobi described a required procurement and redesign of the youth services system: a consultant evaluation will deliver preliminary findings this summer, stakeholder engagement will follow, an RFP is expected in the fall, and the city must complete procurement so the new system is in place by July 1, 2027.

The committee recorded roll calls and approved the CAO report and the joint EWDD/WDB reports; committee members instructed the Community Investment Department to report to the WDB, Council and Mayor by Dec. 15, 2026, with an annual carry-in report identifying any changes to the plan or new grants received.

Votes at a glance: the joint EWDD and WDB reports were approved by the committee (final roll call recorded as five ayes).