How an adult school partnership leads to better use of workforce resources
In 2024, when Alyssa Stovall took the job of operations manager at the Santa Barbara County Workforce Development Board, she still had a lot to learn about what it means to help support a community with ever-changing needs.
As part of its duties, the board is responsible for dividing a limited set of resources aimed at helping develop the workforce throughout the county. In her job, Stovall quickly learned was how important the board’s partnership with the Lompoc Adult School Education and Career Center (LASCC) is to getting the most out of those workforce resources.
“Training programs like those offered through Lompoc mean that we’re able to serve more individuals with more training, which means that we’re benefiting our county even more,” Stovall says. “We’re able to make those dollars go further, even when they’re limited.”
“The training offered at Lompoc is oftentimes significantly less expensive than other entities or organizations.”
Alyssa Stovall, Operations Manager, Santa Barbara County Workforce Development Board
A prime example of how this alliance plays out is the board’s individual training account services—funds that participants can use to pay for occupational training and education. While this money is limited, the school manages to offer an affordable option to get the most out of it.
“The training offered at Lompoc is oftentimes significantly less expensive than other entities or organizations,” Stovall says. “Participants are able to achieve the certification and receive the training they’re looking for in an economically efficient manner.”
On a larger scale, Stovall also notes the partnerships are vital in carrying out the recent National Farmworkers Job Program. The program’s goal is to provide various opportunities for seasonal and migrant farm workers and their families, something she says is the board can do more efficiently thanks to the services offered by Lompoc.
“It’s going to result in greater opportunities for our program participants to have access to education and training,” Stovall says. “We’re looking forward to seeing how we can support them and support Lompoc in continuing to serve Santa Barbara County residents.”
The affiliation directly affects LASCC students, too. Elaine Webber, the principal of Lompoc Adult School, says it plays a significant role in the school’s ability to provide affordable courses.
“Through our partnerships, we have been able to fund our career certification programs and keep the fees for students essentially free,” Webber says, adding that the workforce resources offered by the board are important in helping ease the obstacles students face in trying to get education and training, providing services that helps students acquire computers, work uniforms and childcare.
Stovall says she is excited to continue this partnership and see it grow, having learned firsthand just how important the school is to the board completing its goals. She notes the two organizations have similar goals and are able to better accomplish them by working together.
“Our ultimate goal is to serve our community and make sure they have the resources they need to be successful in their career,” Stovall says. “It’s great we have a partnership with Lompoc and have conversations to see how we can continue to expand and develop those collaborations.”
To learn more about courses offered at the Lompoc Adult School Education and Career Center, visit: adulteducation.lusd.org/. To learn more about the devices offered by the Santa Barbara County Workforce Development Board, visit: countyofsb.org/1905/Special-Workforce-Programs-Projects.
Written by Jacob Peterson
| Regions | Classes & Topics |
|---|---|
| South Coast California | Workforce Development Board |
