Workforce Development

The City of East Palo Alto's workforce development programs include the Measure HH Pilot Workforce Development Program, First Source Hiring Ordinance, and East Palo Alto Career Center.

What is Measure HH?

On November 6, 2018, the residents of East Palo Alto voted in favor (79.58%) of enacting Measure HH (“HH”), a parcel tax on commercial office space of 25,000 square feet or more at the rate of $2.50 per square foot, estimated to annually raise $1,675,000 that may be used only for the following purposes:

Creating and maintaining affordable and supportive housing programs, with an emphasis on the creation of net new housing. A minimum of 35% of Meausre HH revenue must be used for this purpose.
Creating and maintaining programs that facilitate access to job opportunities for East Palo Alto residents in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (S.T.E.M) sectors and building trades, and strengthen the City’s First Source Hiring Program.
Paying for City staff and overhead costs to administer the ordinance and provide an annual report that complies with the requirements of Government Code section 50075.3. A maximum of 15% of Measure HH revenue may be used for this purpose.

Prior to releasing an RFP to attract qualified firms, the City contracted with Brightline Defense Project to gather community input and to develop recommendations for creating a program to facilitate access to job opportunities for East Palo Alto residents in the STEM and building trades sectors.

For more information, refer to the following links:

City Council staff report with attached Brightline Defense Project’s report – November 1, 2021

What is First Source Hiring?

The City of East Palo Alto first enacted a First Source Hiring Policy in 2000. The policy required developments that received assistance from the City, as well as the businesses that occupied the developments, to hire local residents and use local small businesses. The policy was largely successful in the retail and service sectors. The City updated its First Source Hiring Policy so that it could be more effective at connecting residents to employment opportunities in additional sectors that do business in East Palo Alto.

Emerald Cities Collaborative was responsible for developing recommendations for an updated First Source Hiring Policy.

First Source Hiring Ordinance

The City Council adopted a First Source Hiring Ordinance on April 5, 2022, adding Chapter 5.11 to the East Palo Alto Municipal Code. Click here for the full ordinance.

For further background on this Ordinance:

The November 1, 2021 staff report contained recommendations for a First Source Hiring Ordinance. City Council provided further direction at this meeting, which was incorporated into the draft ordinance presented on March 15, 2022.
Click here for the staff report and draft ordinance: First Reading of First Source Hiring Ordinance.

Measure HH and First Source Hiring Community Engagement Process

The first Informational Community Kick Off meeting was held on January 27, 2021 from 5pm-6pm (PST). Please see this link to the video recording of the meeting.
A Measure HH Public Meeting was held on September 8, 2021 from 4pm-5pm. Please see below to view the slides and this link to the video recording of the meeting.
A First Source Hire Public Meeting was held on September 29, 2021 from 4pm-5pm. Please see below to view the slides and this link to the video recording of the meeting.
On November 1, 2021 City Council hosted a Study Session on both Measure HH and First Source Hire. Please see this link to view the meeting agenda and for a video recording of the meeting.

East Palo Alto Career Center

Proudly serving the residents of East Palo Alto with their job search needs.

Services

Resume Development
Interview Practice
Job Placement Services and Career Exploration
Online Job Readiness Workshops
Access to Virtual Employment Tools
Incentives for finding your New Job!
Access to on-site technology: printer, laptops, and WiFi
Specialized program serving the residents of neighboring communities affected by the war on drugs

The East Palo Alto Career Center is located at 2100 University Avenue, Suite C, East Palo Alto, CA 94303 and is operated by JobTrain. To learn more, please visit: The East Palo Alto Career Center.

Please see below for Quarterly Reports from JobTrain.