Bay Area Jobs First collaborative outlines $9 million in catalyst awards, plans for post‑2026 sustainability

The California Jobs First Bay Area collaborative briefed the California Workforce Development Board on regional activation plans and a $9,000,000 package of catalyst awards aimed at growing “high‑road” jobs in the Bay Area. J. Banfield of All Home said the awards fund 10 projects that span the Bay Area and focus on priority sectors including sustainable environmental management, battery and renewable energy manufacturing, transportation electrification, childcare and early childhood education, small business and worker co‑ops, and construction.

Banfield said the collaborative’s work centers on four objectives: deep community engagement, identifying projects to receive funding, developing activation plans for priority sectors, and leveraging additional public and private funds. The collaborative is also preparing a symposium and stakeholder matchmaking to build capacity and attract additional investment to the region. Banfield said the group is “finalizing the date” for the symposium and is targeting April for the event.

Michael Weafe, who presented a regional tour summary, highlighted hands‑on EMS training programs, maritime pipeline engagement and employer‑backed training models. San Francisco workforce director Iwena Pena described local sector efforts — including the CityBuild construction program — and said her office enrolls roughly 300 clients a year with about an 80 percent placement rate.

Speakers repeatedly flagged health care as a major growth sector. Board member comments and presenters noted persistent workforce gaps in nursing and other clinical career ladders; Banfield said an activation plan for health care is in development and consultants could share more detailed workforce pathway information. Several regional leaders asked for connections to the activation plan consultant so they could reconcile local program capacity with regional objectives.

Banfield emphasized the need to plan beyond the program’s statutory funding. California Jobs First funding is scheduled to expire in September 2026; Banfield described that date as a planning milestone rather than an end point and urged partners to design sustainable, longer‑term arrangements that combine state, federal and private capital.

The briefing produced no formal actions or votes. Board members asked for follow‑up on the symposium date and expressed interest in consultant briefings on nursing and advanced manufacturing activation plans.