Lead organization: Working Partnerships USA
Preliminary partners: UC Berkeley Labor Center, Bluegreen Alliance Foundation, CalCEF Innovations [New Energy Nexus], SEMI Foundation, Pilipino Association of Workers and Immigrants South Bay, Step Forward Foundation, Services and Immigrant Rights and Education Network
Counties of operation: Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Alameda
Awarded amount: $1,500,000
Sectors: Manufacturing, Battery Storage & Other Renewable Energy Technologies
This project is a regional effort to develop a high-road manufacturing ecosystem by combining landscape analysis with three high-impact pilot projects and a stakeholder-developed code of conduct. It will test new strategies, build consensus around workforce and community standards, and marshal new resources to grow a Bay Area manufacturing sector centered on job quality, equity, and sustainability that drives the state toward achieving climate goals.
Catalyst funding will enable the initiative to complete research and landscape analysis, develop a Code of Conduct and regional high-road manufacturing action plan, and design and launch three pilot projects. The pilot projects will:
- Provide technical assistance to manufacturing employers and stakeholders applying for state or federal funding with approaches and strategies for incorporating high-road partnerships and agreements;
- Pilot strategies for improving job quality in existing manufacturing industries in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, collaborating with 3-5 initial high-road employers on design of equitable outreach, recruitment, and training, and the creation of clear career paths for incumbent manufacturing workers to advance to higher-level in-demand positions; and
- Lay the groundwork for cultivating high-road battery manufacturing in Contra Costa County, engaging employers, labor unions, community groups and other stakeholders to assess needs and design a concept and implementation plan for development of a green industrial campus for battery manufacturing in alignment with the county’s just transition efforts.
