A WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT BOARD
SOUTH BAY WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD
Business Success Stories
Textured Tech - Carson
Workforce History: Carson-based Textured Tech is a premier beauty supply store that opened in early 2019 to fill the gap between Black women being the primary patrons of hair care products and being virtually absent in the ownership space. The store features beauty brands for kinky/curly hair and a wide array of products for both women and men.
Workforce Challenge: COVID-19 Stay at Home orders began after its first year in operation. Prior to COVID, Textured Tech offered shipping on their website, although in April, they expanded delivery offerings to include local same day delivery and curbside pickup. Leveraging their website, while the physical store was closed to the public, allowed customers access to products other retailers, like Amazon, deemed non-essential.
Outcomes & Benefits: Textured Tech turned to the South Bay One-Stop Center during the most pivotal time of the pandemic to establish training programs on website development and customer service for youth interns to develop a local talent pipeline. The most rewarding result of this effort for Textured Tech is that their customers now see staff and ownership who look like them. 100% of their staff is composed of community members hired through the South Bay One-Stop Center, making Textured Tech a reflection of the community they serve.
“Partnering with organizations like the South Bay One-Stop Center provides business owners the flexibility to grow their business and develop local talent.” - Textured Tech
Burke Williams - Inglewood
Workforce Challenge: Burke Williams - a luxury day spa with twelve locations throughout California filed a WARN notice in March 2020 affecting over 500 employees including administrative, spa personnel, and warehouse operations at its Inglewood facilities.
Outcomes & Benefits: The SBWIB’s One-Stop Center Inglewood formed response teams to provide technical assistance in utilizing National Dislocated Worker Emergency grants to avert layoffs and to provide access to employment and retraining opportunities to individuals impacted in Inglewood.
One-Stop teams and Burke Williams’s hiring managers, realized the changing production and service procedures created immediate employment and retraining opportunities for a small group of personnel in Inglewood. Individuals were identified to participate in On-the-Job Training (OJT) activities that included the acquisition of new skills in the areas of warehouse operations, maintenance, and distribution.
In later months, OJT programs were expanded to include the emergence of Virtual Spa Services and training and development of new positions in the areas of Safety. While spa facilities remained closed uring 2020, limited operations for their Inglewood facility were sustained utilizing WIOA-funds and included an unexpected shift to online sales, product distribution, and virtual services. As spas reopened OJT participants remained employed with continued opportunities for growth.
SoFi Stadium - Inglewood
Workforce History: SoFi Stadium is an unprecedented and unparalleled sports and entertainment destination constructed in Inglewood by Los Angeles Rams Owner/Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke. The first NFL indoor-outdoor stadium to be constructed, SoFi Stadium is the home of the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams.
The state-of-the-art stadium reimagines the fan experience and will host a variety of events year-round, including Super Bowl LVI in 2022, the College Football Championship Game in 2023, and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Olympic Games in 2028. Located on the site of the former Hollywood Park racetrack, the stadium is the centerpiece of a 298-acre mixed-use development featuring retail, commercial office space, a hotel, residential units, and outdoor park spaces.
Outcomes & Benefits: The South Bay One-Stop Business & Career Center - Inglewood established the Security Entertainment Retail Vocational Program (SERV) to supply SoFi Stadium with a pipeline of qualified employment candidates. The program provides support services and access to training and employment in the service industry, with a huge emphasis on the thousands of workers needed for Event and Game Days. Thousands of local residents have attended biweekly SERV Zoom sessions and were referred to apply with SoFi Stadium and its contractors. Hundreds of individuals have been hired.
Northrop Grumman Corporation - Redondo Beach
Workforce History: Northrop Grumman Corporation, tracing its roots back to 1939 in Hawthorne, manufactures and specializes in defense and commercial aerospace, electronics, and information-technology products and services.
Outcomes & Benefits: The South Bay One-Stop Centers provide their full menu of workforce development services to Northrop Grumman, including job placement for individuals seeking employment and apprenticeship development. Northrop Grumman supports and attends SBWIB virtual job fairs and hiring events, including job fairs for transitioning military personnel at Los Angeles Air Force Base.
Additionally, through a partnership that includes El Camino College, enrolled individuals are trained through machining or electromagnetic technician pre-apprenticeship programs. Thirteen individuals who have completed the program with industry recognized credentials have been hired through Northrop Grumman into an on-the-job training apprenticeship program.
The SBWIB utilizes Aero-Flex and WIOA funding to reimburse Northrop Grumman for 50% of the wages paid to apprentices for up to 12 weeks. Apprentices have included recently laid off workers during COVID-19, veterans, long-term unemployed and youth participants who are currently earning $27.00/hour with promotional opportunities at Northrop Grumman.
Cilajet Aviation Grade - Gardena
Workforce History: Gardena-based Cilajet Aviation Grade is a leading provider of a specialty sealant originally developed for the commercial aerospace industry to protect painted and metal surfaces on commercial aircraft, and now has expanded its market to commercial and private aircraft companies, luxury automobile dealerships, and commercial and luxury boats
Workforce Challenge: Despite the unprecedented challenges businesses faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, Cilajet was able to sustain its operations and provide employment opportunities to South Bay residents, including low income adults, youth and individuals with disabilities, thanks to the assistance of the South Bay One-Stop Business & Career Centers in Inglewood and Gardena.
Outcomes & Benefits: Center staff screened and selected job candidates to fill immediate positions, resulting in employment opportunities in administrative and warehouse support for subsidized and justice-involved individuals. While some of their administrative and customer support positions required specific technical skills and experience, Ciliajet created opportunities for individuals with limited work experience. These positions resulted in countless opportunities for youth and individuals with disabilities to gain valuable entry-level experience and chances to build crucial workplace skills and develop their career pathway.
Lisi Aerospace - Hawthorne
Workforce History: LISI is an international company specializing in the design and manufacture of high value-added assembly solutions and components in the aerospace, automotive and medical sectors.
Partners of the world's largest players and forged by its long-term family values, LISI has been innovating and investing for over two centuries in its products and industrial facilities to meet the current and future needs of its customers, particularly in terms of quality, safety and performance.
Outcomes & Benefits: LISI AEROSPACE partnered with the South Bay One-Stop Center to create work opportunities for youth in the South Bay. This program has been mutually beneficial for the company and participating youth in the community by providing valuable work experience in areas such as human resources, engineering, and quality assurance.
The South Bay One-Stop Center have provided LISI with youth workers to assist various departments with different projects and LISI AEROSPACE has provided employment opportunities for many South Bay youth.
“This partnership with the South Bay One-Stop Center has been quite successful and produced a continuous flow of youth workers placed at our organization to assist with business needs.” - LISI AEROSPACE
Urth Caffe - Hawthorne
Workforce History: Urth Caffé is a pioneer in health-conscious coffee and widely known for producing healthy cuisine and bakery products. It works directly with many exclusive sources in Africa, Japan and South America to produce award-winning organic heirloom coffee.
Workforce Challenge: After opening its primary roasting facility, commissary and bakery in Hawthorne, Urth Caffe was experiencing difficulty finding “qualified” applicants, especially during the pandemic.
Outcomes & Benefits: The South Bay One-Stop Business & Career Center - Inglewood connected with Urth Caffe to create a pipeline of qualified applicants for their open positions. The Center utilized its social networking platforms and conducted several recruitments, including direct referral of sourced and screened applicants. The effort resulted in Urth Caffe making direct hires, including hard to fill positions with difficult skill sets.
“The South Bay One-Stop Business & Career Center - Inglewood’s recruiting and candidate screening was most helpful in our hiring efforts. We definitely got the results we needed.” – Nora Perez, Urth Caffe
State Farm - Hermosa Beach
Workforce History: State Farm is a mutual company with more than 55,000 employees and more than 19,000 independent contractor agents who service 83 million policies and accounts throughout the U.S.
Charline Espinoza, with State Farm - Hermosa Beach, has been with the agency since 2001 and has expanded its client base with the involvement of the Hermosa Beach Community.
Workforce Challenge: During the pandemic, like many other small businesses, Charline faced challenges finding employees and decided to reach out to the South Bay One-Stop Business & Career
Center - Torrance for assistance. With their help, Charline was able to hire a candidate who was working for their license in Property & Casualty and Life Insurance.
Outcomes & Benefits: State Farm – Hermosa Beach has been a long-time business partner with the Torrance One-Stop and has had great success hiring employees, including one who was recruited for them almost ten years ago and is still employed.
“I really appreciate the help the One-Stop has provided me. I currently have one employee who has been doing a really good job. They are learning, reliable and enjoy helping our policyholders,” noted Charline Espinoza.
Always Best Care
Workforce History: Manhattan Beach based ‘Always Best Care’ (ABC) combines national strength and standards with local accessibility and personal service. ABC provides personalized short or long-term care for senior clients at their place of residence. Their caregivers are registered through the State and thoroughly screened, bonded and insured.
If staying at home is not a viable option, ABC offers complimentary services to assist their clients and their family members to navigate through the process of finding the best Independent Assisted Living Community or Board & Care facility.
Outcomes & Benefits: ABC has been a partner of the SBWIB and the South Bay One-Stop Business & Career Center in Torrance as a resource for finding qualified candidates to meet their hiring needs.
SoFi Stadium
Workforce History: SoFi Stadium is an unprecedented and unparalleled sports and entertainment destination being built in Inglewood, CA, by Los Angeles Rams Owner/Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke. The first indoor-outdoor stadium to be constructed, SoFi Stadium will be the home of the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams.
Workforce Challenge: SoFi Stadium turned to the South Bay Workforce Investment Board’s Inglewood One-Stop Center to establish the Security Entertainment Retail Vocational Program (SERV). The program supplies a pipeline of qualified candidates to the Stadium by providing support services, access to training and employment in the service industry; with a huge emphasis on the thousands of workers needed for Event and Game Days.
Outcomes & Benefits: The SoFi team has partnered with Inglewood One Stop’s SERV program to provide training and job placement for individuals seeking employment and has been gracious enough to host tours and attended several virtual job fairs and hiring events including our Recent Youth Virtual Job Fair.
To date, thousands of local residents have attended the biweekly online SERV Zoom Info Sessions and hundreds have been referred to apply for jobs with SoFi Stadium and its contractors.
Servicon
Workforce History: Recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal as a "Best Place to Work," Servicon enjoys an outstanding, 97 percent employee retention rate. Servicon was founded on its expertise in providing specialized janitorial and custodial services to many sectors including Healthcare, Aerospace, & Biotech.
Workforce Challenge: Servicon has been a long time partner of the SBWIB and the South Bay One-Stop Business & Career Centers-Inglewood in finding a resource of qualified candidates to meet their hiring needs. The One-Stop provided an assessment for Servicon’s specific needs and created an effective strategy to fit their specific business, employment and talent acquisition needs.
Outcomes & Benefits: Servicon was provided with the SBWIB’s On-the-Job-Training Contracts and informed about the benefits of hiring individuals to their company where they can train them their way while getting reimbursement during the training period. Servicon has utilized South Bay One-Stop Business & Career Centers to hire participants, after One-Stop Staff recruited, screened, vetted and ultimately referred candidates that met Servicon’s hiring requirements.
Morf3D
Workforce History: Morf3D was founded in 2015 by Ivan Madera, CEO and Olya Havell, Vice President of Finance. They began with a small team and established their headquarters in El Segundo. Over the last several years this family-owned startup has been making its mark on aerospace, proving that there is no match for hard work and good ideas.
Workforce Challenge: Morf3D was faced with a decrease in customer contracts and financial cuts across the board. Company growth had paused and employee skills gaps became more visible. Human Resources at Morf3D no longer had the resources to recruit and hire new employees or offer external training to current employees. The internship program that Morf3D ran for the last four summers seemed like an impossibility as well.
Outcomes & Benefits: Through a partnership established with the SBWIB, two On-the-Job Training programs were set up to provide the company with wage supplements for interns. Being able to maintain the Morf3D internship program meant that the company could continue the program, while still providing customers the highest quality products.
"The generous support of the South Bay Workforce Investment Board is a testiment to their commitment to our community. In the wake of the hardships our community and our country currently face, it is the strength of operations like SBWIB that keep us going. I greatly encourage you to strike a partnership with SBWIB, it is a worthy process made easy by their case workers and coordinators."
Hollywood Park Casino
Workforce History: Hollywood Park Casino opened in 1994 to provide a wagering and entertainment venue in the South Bay as well as bring hundreds of new jobs to the region.
Workforce Challenge: Late in 2019 Hollywood Park Casino was experiencing difficulties in finding qualified candidates to fill their numerous food service, hospitality, and customer service positions. In January 2020, it turned to the South Bay Workforce Investment Board One-Stop Business and Career Center Inglewood to partner on a campaign to attract more applicants for their open positions.
Outcomes & Benefits: The One-Stop staff utilized its network of worksource partners and social media outreach that resulted in a greatly increased flow of qualified candidates for Hollywood Park Casino between January and March. Hollywood Park Casino plans to use more of the services provided by the One-Stop center including on site recruitments and on the job training after re-opening in the post COVID 19 era.
Cilajet Aviation Grade
Workforce History: Gardena-based Cilajet Aviation Grade, is a leading provider of specialty sealant originally developed for the commercial aerospace industry as the first true, anti-corrosive sealant to protect painted and metal surfaces on commercial aircrafts.
Workforce Challenge: Unfamiliar with WIOA - funded business services, Company President, Jaci Warren met with South Bay One-Stops Business & Career Centers - Gardena to discuss programs available to the business community. According to Ms. Warren, Cilajet is a team of forward-thinking, industrious individuals who work collaboratively to provide the highest quality customer service, dealer support, and product development to its clients. After conducting an initial assessment, the immediate need was to assist with existing staff shortages to meet the growing demands of the business. Such positions included receptionist, sales, customer service, shipping, and assembler positions.
Outcomes & Benefits: Cilajet has provided employment opportunities for many South Bay residents including Low Income adults, youth, reentry clients, and individuals with disabilities. Working closely with their recruiting and operations team, Cilajet is committed to a continued industry partnership, ongoing career pathway efforts, and work-based learning opportunities for South Bay residents.
Casa Bella Properties
Workforce History: Casa Bella Properties serves the South Bay Los Angeles area consisting of cities like Lawndale, Hawthorne, Gardena, Inglewood, and more. They are a multi cities community based real estate full-service company. They provide in-house sales, probate servicing, transaction coordinating, short sale negotiating, marketing, client services, escrow, finance, property management, construction, handyman, and investment departments.
Workforce Challenge: Casa Bella Properties/ Fast and Accurate Settlement Services was challenged with finding qualified Part-time Administrative Assistants to manage the front office and answer the phones in a busy office where things move quickly. They were looking for high energy individuals who had the ability to greet clients professionally, answer phones, and set up meetings, as well as do Data Entry and Graphic Design.
Outcomes & Benefits: Casa Bella Properties became a PWEX Agreement Partner with the Inglewood One Stop. The Inglewood One Stop provided Interns to fill the Administrative Assistant positions. This was exactly what this business needed. The youth were like a breath of fresh air.
As a result of our Paid Work Experience PWEX Partnership, Frank has contributed greatly to our youth Services Programs, providing an opportunity for Workplace Learning, and becoming a Mentor to our Youth Interns interested in Real Estate and Property Management. Frank has contributed to our workplace learning programs by being a guest speaker and inspiring our students at YouthBuild as well as the Guardian Scholars Program at El Camino College. Because of Frank's mentoring, one of our youth Interns, Branden Minor, is studying to pass the Real Estate Exam and receive a Real Estate License. Frank also became a member of the SBWIB Board, representing businesses in the City of Lawndale. Frank is always willing to support our programs and has become a mentor and an inspiration to our youth.
Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services
Workforce History: Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services has provided free mental health, substance use disorder and suicide prevention services since 1942. Didi Hirsch helps more than 150,000 children and adults from 10 locations and 100 schools throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties each year.
Workforce Challenge: Didi Hirsch turned to the South Bay Workforce Investment Board’s Inglewood One-Stop Business and Career Center in December 2019 to get assistance in finding qualified candidates to fill positions as well as advertising outreach support.
Outcomes & Benefits: The One-Stop staff developed a series of flyers and circulated them through the workforce network. Applicants were vetted through the One-Stop center and qualified candidates were referred to Didi Hirsch.
As a result of the collaboration, Didi Hirsch was able to receive a wider candidate pool and hire qualified job seekers for the open positions.
Stone Candles
Workforce History: Daniel Stone, owner/operator of Stone Candles, a candle making manufacturer located in the city of Santa Monica since 1960, produces several candle types and products. Stone Candles continues to experience rapid growth in their industry, resulting in the opening of a second location in the city of Inglewood.
Workforce Challenge: Due to a high demand for products, Stone Candles sought the assistance of several qualified candidates to meet demand for products. Daniel Stone learned of the SBWIB Services program through a fellow colleague that had previously used the services and was very pleased with the professionalism and courtesy received by program staff. Daniel Stone contacted the Inglewood office and through the TSE Program, a program that enables members of the surrounding communities to be gainfully employed, has been able to meet the company's hiring needs.
Outcomes & Benefits: By utilizing this program, Stone Candles avoided the need to hire temporary staffing, band unnecessary costs in recruitment and hiring. Stone Candles has been so successful, that they are now looking to open a third location. Daniel Stone has commented that he will definitely use the SBWIB for all their hiring needs once again.
“Not only did I get professional and quick service in fulfilling my needs, but also saved money which helped me develop other positions within my business. I will continue to partner with SBWIB.”
Uncle Pops
Workforce History: Uncle Pops and Los Angeles Popcorn Brand, also AceCoPack, a popcorn contract manufacturer, started in 2013 with just $3,000 and has grown slowly over the last 7 years. They have introduced new flavors and concepts in popcorn and sold them to other brands locally and nationally.
Workforce Challenge: Uncle Pops Popcorn had difficulty in just about every area as they started the company completely from scratch. Financing the company was difficult and slow because they started with just one popper and used any profits to buy new equipment or make improvements to their production facility. They also found searching for the right staff challenging, training them for the job and retaining them with no HR department. Due to Covid-19 and low sales they had to cut costs and let some staff go, leaving the company with just two people.
Outcomes & Benefits: The services Uncle Pops found the most helpful from the South Bay One-Stops were providing staff. They were referred qualified candidates to work when they needed them the most. They also received assistance with HR or personal matters with staff and were helped financially by subsidizing some hours.
“South Bay One-Stops can help small businesses by providing you with staff. They may also provide staff and subsidize the pay for some time. Get in touch with them because it’s a triple win. The staff gets placed into a job and gets work. You get some help and South Bay stays busy also.”
Westside Regional Center
Workforce History: Westside Regional Center (WRC) is located in Culver City, but their service area is the 11 South Bay cities. WRC was established to provide services to persons with developmental disabilities living in the South Bay.
Workforce Challenge: Westside Regional Center reached out to the South Bay One –Stop Business and Career Center-Inglewood to seek assistance with finding qualified candidates for their open positions. Following a conversation with the One-Stop Center Staff about the variety of services available to employers. WRC became interested in working with the youth programs to provide opportunities and training to youth serviced by the SBWIB.
Outcomes & Benefits: As a result of the partnership and utilization of the Inglewood One-Stop Center’s services several south bay residents have obtained full time positions in a variety of clinical and non-clinical positions. WRC is also working with the youth program staff at the One-Stop Center to provide training and mentorship opportunities for youth. WRC has also been an active participant in youth career fairs and onsite recruitments sponsored by the SBWIB.
Bachem
Workforce History: Bachem Americas, Inc. in Torrance, is an international technology-based, public bio-chemicals company that has been providing full service to the pharma and biotech industry since 1971. Bachem specializes in the process development and
the manufacturing of peptides and complex organic molecules as active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), as well as innovative bio-chemicals for research purposes. With headquarters in Bubendorf, Switzerland and affiliates in Europe, the US and Asia, Bachem’s business practice overseas includes using apprenticeship programs as a hiring method.
Workforce Challenge: Thus, when the SBWIB introduced its BioFlex initiative in early 2019 to develop preapprenticeship and registered apprenticeship career pathways for the Bio-Science Industry in the greater Los Angeles Region, Bachem volunteered to serve as chair on an advisory board called the Unilateral Apprenticeship Committee (UAC) comprised of a consortium of industry stakeholders. Since undertaking the role of UAC Chair, Bachem has also assisted the SBWIB with supplying support letters for grants that contributed to the success of receiving millions in funding.
Outcomes & Benefits: Bachem participates in the SBWIB Employment Training Panel program for upskilling incumbent workers, serves on the SBWIB Board and is a member of the Business, Technology & Economic Development Committee.
Bachem continues to work with the SBWIB’s special projects team to develop a Bio-Flex program for high school students that will include industry experiences at their facility to advance youth into Apprenticeships. They are also assisting in the development of teacher externship, which will take place in the near future.
Morf3D
Workforce History: Morf3D is an El Segundo based company that provides a sustainable eco-system that delivers innovative solutions to solve complex design and manufacturing challenges that fully exploit the benefits of additive manufacturing, which includes solutions
in the Aerospace and Defense Manufacturing Industry.
Workforce Challenge: Due to the high standards and pride Morf3D places on their work, they were experiencing the challenge of finding qualified candidates to fill specialized positions such as lead additive technicians.
Morf3D reached out to the South Bay One-Stop Business & Careers Center – Inglewood for assistance in finding qualified candidates to meet their hiring needs.
Outcomes & Benefits: Upon meeting with Morf3D, the OneStop job development staff assisted with identifying, pre-screening, and vetting qualified candidates and referred them to their HR department. Morf3D participated in a highly specialized job fair for individuals who were recently laid off in the Aerospace and Manufacturing industries.
Morf3D was able to identify, hire, and retain qualified candidates for their additive technician position. Morf3D continues to reach out to the One-Stop Business & Career Center team for assistance with their hiring needs and are in the process of establishing wage reimbursement programs. In addition, Morf3D is a committed Aero-Flex partner. They have provided on-the-job training and graduated Pre-Apprentices interested in the field.
Inglewood Park Cemetery
Workforce History: In 1905, a group of visionary Centinela Valley businessmen decided to pool their resources and form the Inglewood Park Cemetery Association. The first interment was made in the new cemetery on July 20, 1906. In the first year, there were 32 burials, which not surprisingly would increase dramatically over the coming years. Many of the original settlers of the Centinela Valley and the South Bay region are entombed there, as are nearly three dozen Civil War veterans.
Workforce Challenge: In recent years, Inglewood Park Cemetery was experiencing the challenge of finding qualified candidates to fill its Community Service Sales Counselors positions. Inglewood Park reached out to the South Bay One-Stop Business & Career Center – Inglewood to find qualified candidates. The One Stop job developers recruited, screened and vetted candidates that met Inglewood Park Cemetery’s hiring requirements
Outcomes & Benefits: With the ongoing assistance of the OneStop staff, Inglewood Park Cemetery has hired over twelve full-time permanent positions. Inglewood Park Cemetery has been an active supporter of the South Bay Workforce Investment Board and serves on the board of directors.
The Winston Box
Workforce History: In an effort to provide more fashion options for the “Big and Tall” community, owner Wil Cuadros and CEO Amit Patel created The Winston Box in 2016. The Winston Box is a subscription box service, dedicated to serving individuals who have trouble finding clothing in their sizes through more traditional methods. The company makes all its goods in Peru, ensuring that customers receive quality merchandise for the price they pay.
Workforce Challenge: In July of 2018, The Winston Box began its partnership with SBWIB through a generous clothing donation to SBWIB’s Career Pathways 180 prison-to-employment academy. The Winston Box donated dress shirts and pants for participants of the academy that were worn at the conclusion of the training at the CP 180 job fair, in which participants interviewed with several employers. In May of 2019, The Winston Box agreed to serve as a worksite for SBWIB’s youth Paid Work Experience (PWEX) program, in which it has hosted youth from the Gardena One-Stop and provided valuable work experience, training the youth in order fulfillment, customer service, and social media marketing.
Outcomes & Benefits: Successful order fulfillment has been a significant challenge for The Winston Box. However, through partnering with SBWIB and serving as a worksite for the youth Paid Work Experience (PWEX) program, SBWIB has been able to provide the company with reliable youth workers who have successfully assisted with fulfillment, packing, sorting, and order tracking.
The company has seen an increase in staff around the warehouse, which has resulted in an increase in order fulfillment and productivity.
“This is a great opportunity for small businesses and an equally great way to give back to the community.”
Sharpe Interior Systems
Workforce History: Sharpe Interior Systems, Inc. is a premiere Union labor firm that specializes in drywall and metal stud framing. Founded by drywall craftsman Steve Sharpe in 1976, Sharpe Interior Systems, Inc. has celebrated over 40 years as a drywall contractor in Southern California. Priding itself on quality, service and a unique relationship-focused style, Sharpe has delivered innovative solutions across a
broad spectrum of projects ranging from commercial tenant improvement, healthcare, retail, hospitality, and commercial high-rise.
Workforce Challenge: The South Bay Workforce Investment Board through its Inglewood One-Stop has established the Construction Utilities Pathway Program (CUPP) to supply a pipeline of qualified candidates by providing support services and access to training and employment in the construction industry with a huge emphasis on the thousands of construction workers that are needed for the mega projects in the area. Sharpe Interior Systems’ team has long partnered with the Inglewood One-Stop, and is now utilizing the CUPP program. A high percentage of the referrals have completed their MC3 Pre-Apprentice training through I-TRAIN’s approved Construction Training Provider, Career Expansion through Coastline Community College. This partnership has resulted in dozens of individuals, including reentry and homeless participants, being hired as union apprentices at living wages, including several that were funded through the Federal Highway-Caltrans grant that was awarded to the South Bay Workforce Investment Board.
Outcomes & Benefits: Sharpe Interior Systems’ current projects include the Lucas Museum Project and the Martin Luther King Hospital Project. In both projects they are relying on the SBWIB to assist with their workforce development needs.
Hobby Lobby
Workforce History: Hobby Lobby presented a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, March 11, 2019 for its 49th location in California. This joins more than 800 Hobby Lobby stores across the nation. Hobby Lobby is primarily an arts-and-crafts store which includes picture framing, jewelry making, fabrics, floral
and wedding supplies, cards, party supplies, baskets, wearable art, home accents and holiday merchandise.
Hobby Lobby is devoted to providing career opportunities for eager enterprising individuals who are ready to join their rapidly growing company. As a leader in the arts, crafts and home décor industry, they value innovative ideas, passionate creativity and hard work.
Workforce Challenge: In February 2018, Hobby Lobby had hired 60 candidates for their grand opening but that was not sufficient. The Torrance One-Stop assisted Hobby Lobby with their hiring need by announcing job opportunities and posting flyers on its social networks. The available positions ranged from cashiers, to customer service representatives, retail associates, and stockers. Torrance One-Stop also provided Hobby Lobby with rooms to conduct interviews for one week.
Outcomes & Benefits: As a result, Hobby Lobby was able to hire enough individuals in a short amount of time with no cost to them. Hobby Lobby has already asked for SBWIB’s assistance with hiring needs for the company’s next store which will be opening in Torrance.
Marvin Engineering Company
Workforce History: As is the case with other southland aerospace and manufacturing companies, Inglewood-based Marvin Engineering Company (MEC) was having difficulty finding qualified candidates to fill specialized and nonspecialized positions in the areas of administration, manufacturing, CNC machinist, engineering, IT, quality control, supply chain and systems integration.
Workforce Challenge: The MEC Human Resources Department turned to the South Bay One-Stop Business & Career Center - Inglewood in early 2018. The Center’s job development staff immediately began vetting qualified candidates and referred them to MEC for interviews. MEC also participated in a specialized job fair assembled by the SBWIB staff tailored for individuals recently laid off from aerospace and manufacturing industries. MEC was able to identify, hire and retain more than 10 qualified candidates for various open positions.
Outcomes & Benefits: Marvin Engineering Company is the core of the Marvin Group and is a worldwide leader in the manufacturing of alternate mission equipment and aircraft armament equipment. Marvin Test Solutions and Marvin Land Systems comprise the group. Marvin Engineering is now partnered with the SBWIB job development team for ongoing assistance with their hiring needs.
Counseling Resource and Education Center
Workforce History: Counseling Resource and Education Center was established in 2017 in the city of Torrance. With over 30 years of experience, their mission in life as educators is to provide motivation to toddlers, children and adults, to achieve their goals in life.
Workforce Challenge: Counseling Resource and Education Center is always in need of great candidates who can meet and match with their goals. After several meetings, South Bay One-Stop Business & Career Centers - Torrance signed them up for the Paid Work Experience program.
Outcomes & Benefits: The job developer at the Torrance One-Stop assisted and sent them the qualified candidate’s resume for interviews. Since the relationship that was established on August 2019, the Counseling Resource and Education Center continues to use the business services provided by the South Bay One-Stop Business & Career Centers - Torrance as their number one source for hiring qualified candidates.
Gelson’s Market
Workforce History: Gelson’s Market has been serving the residents of the Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and El Segundo cities since 2017.
Gelson’s Market is Manhattan Beach's best new gourmet grocery store, offers its customers services like a salad bar, full kitchen, and hot food bar. Gelson’s Manhattan Beach location is
also home to an extensive floral department, access to Viktor Benes Bakery and Coffee Bar, and an amazing outdoor dining area. The experience is completed with a smoothie and juice bar, Wolfgang Puck counter, plus seafood and sushi bar.
Workforce Challenge: Gelson’s Market is always in need of Deli Service Clerks for their deli department. When the South Bay One-Stop Business & Career Center – Torrance job developer reached out to them to introduce the wealth of opportunities the One-Stop has to offer, they were highly interested and wanted to meet to know more.
Outcomes & Benefits: After the meeting, they agreed to commit to South Bay One-Stop’s On-the-Job Training program. After several announcements and job postings the Job Developer was able to find eligible interested candidates and referred them to Gelson’s market. Gelson’s market interviewed all of them and filled their need.
Lisi Aerospace
Workforce History: Lisi Aerospace is a worldwide manufacturing specialist for assembly solutions as well as engine and structural components used for aircrafts. Lisi Aerospace designs and manufactures technically advanced solutions and components, in compliance with the highest quality standards. Lisi is a recognized player in the aeronautics, defense and space sector.
Workforce Challenge: In late 2018, the company was facing difficulty finding the right candidates for a trainee program they developed to meet the company and industry needs for various machine technology/machinists positions and finding qualified candidates to fill their numerous specialized and non-specialized positions that included machinist, electricians, health and safety coordinators, production managers and quality inspectors.
Lisi Aerospace reached out to Job developers at the South Bay One-Stop Business and Career Center – Inglewood in hopes of getting assistance identifying a pool of individuals for their new machinist trainee program and help find qualified candidates to meet their hiring needs.
Outcomes & Benefits: After meeting with Lisi Aerospace Human Resources to discuss their new training program and hiring needs, SBWIB Job Development staff assisted with identifying, pre-screening and vetting qualified candidates in the form of direct candidate referrals for their trainee program and open positions. SBWIB’s Job Developer invited Lisi Aerospace to conduct recruitments/targeted hiring events at two of its One-Stop locations in order to identify a candidate pool for the trainee program and open positions. In addition, Lisi Aerospace was invited to attend targeted job fairs that would increase the probability of finding qualified participants. Lisi Aerospace participated in a highly specialized job fair specifically tailored for individuals in the Aerospace and Manufacturing industry. Many of the job fair attendees were individuals recently laid off from large companies where Lisi Aerospace was able to identify and hire qualified candidates. In addition, through SBWIB staff efforts, Lisi Aerospace was able to identify several candidates for their recently developed program and establish an on-the-job wage reimbursement contract to help off sent the high costs of on boarding.
Due to the established partnership, Lisi Aerospace is in the process of completing a Paid Work experience contract with the SBWIB that will help El Camino Machine Tool Technology Trainees going through the propel LA program gain real work experience that can lead to unsubsidized employment at Lisi Aerospace. Lisi Aerospace continues to reach out to the SBWIB job development team for assistance with their hiring needs.
Fresh & Meaty Burger
Workforce History: For 29 years and counting, Fresh & Meaty Burger has been a place that has served up the most delicious and freshest burgers in Los Angeles. They have expanded their horizons to other areas such as Cleveland, Ohio, Carson, Studio City and Watts.
Workforce Challenge: The relationship between the SBWIB and Fresh & Meaty Burgers was established earlier this year. The business was opening a new store in Carson and the owners stated the need for some employment assistance for their new store. They trusted the SBWIB to find them great employees, and use the Paid Work Experience (PWEX) program.
Outcomes & Benefits: For the past 3 months, the SBWIB has sent several youths to work at their Carson location. The youth have gained great customer service skills and work experience. As a result of the aforementioned partnership and utilization of the South Bay One-Stop Business & Career Centers - Carson services, 6 Carson residents have been hired for permanent employment. Fresh & Meaty is always willing to participate with the recruitment fairs that South Bay One-Stop hosts.
Owner/Area Manager Shaleah Upshaw has indicated her satisfaction with the courteous and professional service delivery by South Bay One-Stop Business & Career Centers - Carson and has stated this as the reason she is committed to continuing the partnership with the SBWIB.
Alpha Postal Service
Workforce History: Alpha Postal Service is a small business dedicated to providing packing and shipping services to residents of Hawthorne and surrounding areas.
Workforce Challenge: Packing and shipping services can be in high demand, especially when customers need to send items to family members and loved ones during busy times of the year.
Outcomes & Benefits: Alpha Postal Service has partnered with SBWIB in its Paid Work Experience (PWEX) program and is currently interviewing youth workers to help with daily customer service duties, as well as order fulfillment.
Alpha Postal Service will be staffed with youth workers who are reliable, professional, and who can provide excellent customer service.