Measure HH Pilot Workforce Development Program

What is the Pilot Program?

On November 15, 2022, the City Council approved $775,215 to initiate an 18-month pilot program to provide job training and job placement services for East Palo Alto residents with focus on employment opportunities in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and building trades fields. The Pilot Program is funded through Measure HH, a special parcel tax on large commercial office development in the City that was approved by East Palo Alto voters in November 2018.

An extensive request for proposals (RFP) process was conducted in 2022 to seek qualified workforce development firms to implement the City’s Pilot Program. The RFP process culminated in the City Council authorizing agreements with three non-profits organizations: JobTrain, StreetCode Academy, and Live In Peace. All three organizations have an established presence in East Palo Alto and will offer a variety of STEM and building trades job training and placement programs. The programs will focus on attaining sustainable living wage jobs. Participants will also be offered mentoring and support resources and, after completion of training, will be assisted in obtaining apprenticeships or entry-level positions in their respective fields.

The Pilot Program was launched on March 1, 2023, and periodic reports will be posted on this webpage on the progress of the program. The City will consider extending the programs after evaluation of the pilot period. § For more information on the Pilot Program, see the City Council staff report - November 15, 2022, the Mid-Program staff report - March 19, 2024, and the Final Program staff report - September 3, 2024, or contact Karen Camacho at CED@cityofepa.org or (650) 853-3189.

How Can I Get More Information?

For information on the job training and placement programs and apprenticeships offered through the Pilot Program, please contact the following:

  • JobTrain STEM Programs – Contact: Kwanée Price-Butler, kprice-butler@jobtrainworks.org, (650) 330-6441.
    • Information technology (IT) support and customer service
    • Advanced IT Network Plus Career Program
  • JobTrain Building Trades Programs – Contact: Kwanée Price-Butler, kprice-butler@jobtrainworks.org, (650) 330-6441.
    • Management and maintenance of housing communities
    • Basic construction trade skills
  • StreetCode Academy Programs - Contact: Aaron Barron, aaron@streetcode.org, (650) 479-1496.
    • Coding careers
    • Video game programming
  • Live In Peace Programs – Contact: Julia Williams, julia@liveinpeace.org.
    • Mechanical (HVAC and plumbing) and electrical construction trades
    • IT support, computer network support, and data analytics
    • Junior college track for trade union jobs

Quarterly Reports

The Measure HH Pilot Workforce Development Program quarterly reports showing the status or outcome of performance metrics will be published on this webpage on the following dates: August 2023, November 2023, February 2024, May 2024 and October 2024.