REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Appoint David Bini and Nelson Leonor to the NOVA Workforce Board
Report
BACKGROUND
The federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) stipulates the composition, roles and responsibilities of the local workforce board. The local chief elected official appoints the local workforce board. The Sunnyvale City Council serves as the Local Chief Elected Official for the NOVA consortium. The local workforce board (NOVA Board) determines how many seats are on the board. It is required to have a majority of representatives from business and representation from at least the following stakeholders:
• Business Executives (majority and chair);
• Education providers from adult education and higher education;
• Labor and community-based organizations representing the workforce;
• Economic and community development agencies;
• State agencies representing employment development and vocational rehabilitation programs;
The roles and responsibilities of NOVA Board members include (but are not limited to):
• Taking a leadership role in forging a strong and vital partnership between business and the workforce development community, resulting in an entrepreneurial, market-driven, accountable and exceptional workforce development system;
• Contributing specific expertise from key industries and articulate evolving industries’ needs, critical to aligning the workforce with the jobs of the 21st Century;
• Developing and approving policy for workforce initiatives in NOVA service-delivery area;
• Helping create and providing oversight of a local strategic plan and participate in the development of a regional plan;
• Evaluating and monitoring program performance according to specified outcomes and measures; and
• Promoting the NOVA Board and workforce through collaboration and relationship building with other businesses, local workforce boards, organizations and groups.
EXISTING POLICY
Council Policy 5.1.1: Socio-Economic - Goals and Policies: Education and Training Goal 5.1F: Provide job training and employment services, within constraints of operative Federal regulations and available Federal funding, to address the locally-determined employment and training needs of economically disadvantaged residents and others with special needs.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental, organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
DISCUSSION
The NOVA Board Nominating Committee is comprised of Councilmember Gustav Larsson and NOVA Board member Carl Cimino. The Committee is charged with the responsibility of recommending candidates for appointment to the NOVA Board, for consideration by the City Council. The Nominating Committee is recommending the appointment of David Bini and Nelson Leonor because of the individual strengths and assets they can bring to the NOVA Board. In addition, their appointments will fill WIOA-mandated seats representing Labor and the State employment development agency, respectively.
About the Candidates:
Mr. David Bini
Executive Director, Santa Clara and San Benito Counties Building and Construction Trades Council
The Santa Clara and San Benito Counties Building and Construction Trades Council (SCBTC), chartered in 1960, represents the area’s exceptionally skilled and trained construction workers. SCBTC is affiliated with 27 local building trade unions and district councils, with membership totaling 35,000 construction workers. Through a focus on training, safety and quality work, its members offer the highest level of professionalism and excellence, improving the region through numerous infrastructure upgrades and development. As Executive Director, Mr. Bini is responsible for overseeing nexus construction projects, writing and managing contracts for its affiliate unions, and leading the political advocacy program. Mr. Bini brings to the Board extensive knowledge of the growing construction industry and its well-paid jobs, important experience with apprenticeships and other on-the-job skills training, and the ability to work collaboratively with extensive networks in the region. He is also active in the community serving on the Board of Directors of Joint Venture Silicon Valley. Mr. Bini’s contributions will be invaluable to the Board as it seeks to identify earn-and-learn training opportunities that will promote equal access for low-skilled, low-wage workers into higher-wage career paths and a better quality of life.
Mr. Nelson Leonor
Employment Program Manager, California Employment Development Department
The California Employment Development Department (EDD) is one of the largest departments in the state with employees located at hundreds of local service offices throughout California. Since 1936, the department has served millions of job seekers and employers to build a prepared workforce and sustainable economy. For many years, the EDD regional office has been a committed partner in the provision of workforce development services as part of the NOVA workforce area and through participation on the NOVA Board. As Employment Program Manager, Mr. Leonor is responsible for oversight of local workforce programs, operations and nearly 45 staff, within a three-county region comprised of Santa Clara, San Mateo and San Benito counties. Mr. Leonor brings to the Board over ten years of experience in employment development, a diverse perspective from front-line customer service to management and policy implementation, a shared mission and passion for career exploration, and collaboration with a wide range of strategic partners in the region. Mr. Leonor’s contributions will be invaluable to the Board as it seeks new models for realigning services, post-pandemic, to best meet the needs of shared customers through increased equity and enhanced access.
These appointments comply with the requirements of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, Sunnyvale Public Library and Department of Public Safety. In addition, the agenda and report are available at the Office of the City Clerk and on the City's website.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Appoint David Bini and Nelson Leonor to the NOVA Workforce Board.
Staff
Prepared by: Eileen Stanly, Analyst, NOVA Workforce Services
Reviewed by: Kris Stadelman, Director, NOVA Workforce Services
Reviewed by: Jaqui Guzmán, Deputy City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager