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panoramic picture of sunny downtown Los Angeles taken from MacArthur Park (originally Westlake Park)

panoramic picture of downtown Los Angeles at night taken from Hollywood Hills)


About the Economic & Workforce Development Department (EWDD)


Los Angeles City Hall at nightThe Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD) goal is to steer economic development in a manner that yields thriving businesses, and creates job training and career opportunities for the City of Los Angeles. We work every day to deliver a strong and committed workforce, sustainable neighborhoods and profitable communities throughout Los Angeles.

HISTORY

In 2013, the Los Angeles Mayor and the City Council launched the Economic & Workforce Development Department as a modern, more efficient way for people to do business in the City of Los Angeles and to create more economically vibrant neighborhoods.

Prior to July 2013, EWDD’s workforce and business functions were part of the city’s Community Development Department. EWDD also assumed control of some public properties that were previously under the control of the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency.


KEY FUNCTIONS
EWDD provides a broad range of programs that offer assistance in the areas of business support, employment and youth development. All programs are designed to grow and improve Los Angeles’ economy while building a well-trained and job-ready workforce.
  • BusinessSource Centers
    Nine citywide centers provide services such as access to capital, business plan development, tax incentives and credits, business courses and training, employee hiring and workforce development to business owners or startups

  • Economic Development
    EWDD coordinates an “under-one-roof” approach to helping developers get new projects off the ground, leveraging public-owned assets for new development that spurs economic growth and jobs in struggling communities

  • WorkSource Centers
    Seventeen citywide centers offer a wide range of quality employment related assistance to job seekers and employers such as literacy skills, training, referrals, job listings and placement with an emphasis on high growth industries to build and support a qualified workforce in Los Angeles. Job Portals, smaller versions of the WorkSource Centers, are located in select city libraries and other locations

  • YouthSource Centers
    Sixteen citywide youth development centers offer educational and career readiness services for disconnected youth ages 16 to 24 who are neither in school nor working

  • Hire LA’s Youth, Summer Youth Employment Program
    This program provides six weeks of subsidized work for Los Angeles youth, ages 14 to 24, with local partners including non-profits and businesses, and provides real world job experiences and opportunities for college, career and financial literacy training

  • Day Labor Centers
    Seven centers citywide help reduce the number of day laborers who congregate on city streets and provide them with safe fixed sites where they can gain job skills, obtain ESL instruction, legal advocacy, and workplace safety information

FACTS & FIGURES
Annual Budget
  • EWDD Operational Budget 2017-2018: $21,121,460
  • 2017-2018 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Allocation: $9,970,000
  • 2017-2018 Workforce Investment Opportunity Act (WIOA) Total Allocation: (Adult, Youth and Dislocated Worker funding streams, not including Rapid Response): $41,921,847
Number of Employees
  • 168 authorized positions
Supporting Federal and State Departments
  • US Department of Housing and Urban Development, US Department of Labor, State of California Employment Development Department, US Department of Justice

EWDD west facing street sign with address, 1200 West 7th Street, Los Angeles
OVERVIEW
EWDD General Manager
Carolyn M. Hull
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  |  213-744-7300

The City of Los Angeles WDB is composed of 39 volunteers and includes representatives from education, labor, state and local governments, private businesses and employers. In partnership with the Mayor and City Council, the WDB provides vision, policy, strategy, coordination, direction and oversight for the City’s workforce development activities. The Los Angeles Workforce Delivery System operates in partnership with various organizations including community-based non-profits, labor organizations, the LA Unified School District, the LA Community College District, and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.

Location
EWDD and WDB Offices
444 South Flower Street, 14th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071
213-744-7164  |  Fax 213-744-9395  |  711 for Telecommunication Relay Services (TRS)

Departmental Contacts
Gregg Irish, WDB Executive Director
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  |  213-744-7164

EWDD Communications
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SERVICE DIVISIONS
Economic Development Division -
Business, Development and Real Estate Services
EDD offers over $600 million in direct and indirect financing and technical assistance programs that promote business growth and job creation in economically depressed areas of the City. There are an array of economic development and assistance measures developed specifically for the City's business community. Targeted business services are carried out in conjunction with the Mayor's Office of Economic Development and L.A.'s Business Team (the Mayor's special division in charge of business growth and retention in the City). Visit Business Services for more information.

The Workforce Development Division, working in cooperation with the Workforce Development Board (WDB), oversees Employment Services offered through WorkSource and YouthSource Centers. WorkSource Centers offer comprehensive employment services for adults. All programs are free to job seekers but some programs may require pre-qualification based on income.

The young adult programs work to promote youth achievement by engaging families and community partners in creating opportunities for teenagers and young adults to reach their education, employment, and personal development goals. A partnership with over 30 local community-based organizations provides dedicated focus to vocational, educational, and career developing youth support systems. The Youth Services are committed to developing the talents, capacities and successful future of the community's young people.







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