Monterey County Workforce Development Board

What Monterey County Workforce Development Board does

Monterey County Workforce Development Board (MCWDB), doing business as Monterey County Works, is a public workforce development entity operating under the authority of the County of Monterey and the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. It serves job seekers—including adults, young adults, veterans, dislocated workers, and people with employment barriers—and employers across the Salinas Valley, Monterey Peninsula, South County, and North Monterey County. Its operating model connects local labor supply and demand through physical service sites, events, and direct employer engagement.

The service portfolio includes access to America's Job Center of California, CalJOBS job matching, adult and young-adult programs, veterans' priority services, job fairs, customized recruitment, on-the-job and incumbent-worker training, Rapid Response layoff aversion, an Eligible Training Providers List, labor-market information, and Green CADRE youth employment. Delivery relies on California's CalJOBS system, Premier Virtual for online job fairs, and Metrix Learning for skills assessment, individualized training plans, and training recommendations; the supplied evidence does not identify these as MCWDB-owned technology.

Services are free to job seekers and employers and are funded through WIOA Title I and Title III federal programs, California programs, Monterey County funds, and public or nonprofit partnerships. Its go-to-market is event- and partnership-led: it co-locates with Hartnell College and Monterey Peninsula College, runs in-person and virtual recruitments, publishes workforce content and webinars, and works with employers, labor groups, educational institutions, and community organizations across the county. Quantified programs include nearly $2 million in 2025 Green CADRE funding, $840,000 in 2021 small-business relief funding, and $455,000 in 2022 microbusiness relief funding; these are program awards rather than disclosed company revenue.

Name

Monterey County Workforce Development Board

Legal name

Monterey County Workforce Development Board

Website

https://montereycountyworks.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Monterey County Workforce Development Board provides no-cost workforce services connecting Monterey County job seekers and employers through career centers, job matching, training, recruitment, HR support, and layoff-response programs under WIOA and public funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Employment Services (5613), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Workforce Development Programs (WIOA/One-Stop Career Centers) (EDAAAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Workforce & Job-Seeker Services (Community-Based) (EDAAAFAM), Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ), Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Job seeker assistance
• Employer recruitment services
• Career training programs
• Employment placement services

Headquarters

HQ city

Salinas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel

Revenue model

1. WIOA Title I and Title III Funding: Federal workforce development funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act for adult, youth, and dislocated worker programs
2. State of California Funding: State funding including California Volunteers Youth Service Corps program and California Employers Association partnership for HR services
3. County CARES Act Funds: County CARES Act and Cannabis Tax Assignment funds for small business relief programs
4. Free Services to Public: All core services provided at no cost to job seekers and employers; funded through public workforce development grants

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Monterey County Workforce Development Board provides no-cost workforce development services for job seekers and employers in Monterey County through a network of America's Job Centers of California and virtual platforms. Core offerings include job search assistance, career coaching, resume help, skills training (Adult Programs, Young Adult Programs, Veterans Priority of Service) for job seekers, and free job postings, HR hotline support, customized recruitment, on-the-job training, incumbent worker training, and Rapid Response layoff aversion services for employers. All services are funded through WIOA federal grants, state funding, and county funds.

Product overview

The Monterey County Workforce Development Board operates a comprehensive workforce development ecosystem through its Monterey County Works initiative, offering a network of America's Job Centers of California (AJCC) physical locations alongside virtual services. The core offering consists of job seeker services (Adult Programs, Young Adult Programs, Veterans Priority of Service) and employer services (HR Hotline, Job/Career Fairs, Customized Recruitment, On-the-Job Training, Incumbent Worker Training, Rapid Response). Additional programs include the Eligible Training Providers List (ETPL), Green CADRE Youth Service Corps, Small Business Support Services, Workforce Minute video series, and Labor Market Information resources. The organization connects to CalJOBS (California's job board system), Premier Virtual (virtual job fair platform), and Metrix Learning (online training with skills assessment and career pathway recommendations). Services are funded through WIOA Title I and Title III federal funds, state grants, and local partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• America's Job Center of California: One-Stop Career Center network providing employment and training services to job seekers and employers in Monterey County.
• Green CADRE
• Youth Service Corps

Products and services

• America's Job Center of California (AJCC) / One Stop Career Center
• Job Fairs & Career Fairs
• Customized Recruitment Services
• On-the-Job Training (OJT)
• Incumbent Worker Training
• Free Employer HR Hotline
• Rapid Response (Layoff Aversion)
• Adult Programs
• Young Adult Programs
• Veterans Priority of Service
• Green CADRE / Youth Service Corps
• Eligible Training Providers List (ETPL)
• Small Business Support Services
• Small Business Relief Program
• Job Postings (MCWDB Job Board)
• Labor Market Information (LMI)
• Career Connections Summer Fellowship

Quantifiable outcome

• 250+ small businesses received COVID-19 relief grants in first two rounds
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• California Employers Association (CEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide no-cost HR hotline (888-589-7577 English, 888-217-6899 Spanish) and monthly webinars for Monterey County employers. Covers topics including labor law, hiring, discrimination, COVID-19, workers compensation, and workplace management.
• Hartnell CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-location of career center at Hartnell College's Castroville Education Center (10241 Tembladera Street). Provides North Monterey County residents with employment and training resources, resume assistance, and career services.
• Monterey Peninsula CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to co-locate the Marina Job Center at MPC's Education Center (289 Twelfth Street, Room 402). Expanded employment and training services to Marina and North Monterey County residents.
• City of SoledadcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership for South County job fairs and recruitments at Soledad Community Center. Partnership for South County Young Adult Job Fair and other workforce events serving Soledad and surrounding communities.
• California Department of RehabilitationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for the 2nd Annual Community Resource Fair at Northridge Mall in Salinas. Partnership to support individuals with disabilities, job seekers, and families in accessing resources, employment, and career opportunities.
• Santa Cruz County Workforce Development BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partnership for Pajaro job fair and workforce events serving residents and businesses of Pajaro and Watsonville areas. Joint efforts for National Apprenticeship Week observances.
• San Benito County Workforce Development BoardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTri-County Apprenticeship Preparation Program partnership for National Apprenticeship Week observances along with Santa Cruz County.
• Facebook/MetacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCareer Connections Summer Fellowship program providing 8-week paid internships for young adults ages 18-24. Fellows work with local businesses on digital marketing through Facebook and Instagram. Paid $18/hour for up to 30 hours/week for up to 14 weeks.
• Monterey County Convention and Visitors BureauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for hospitality virtual job fair to address employment needs in the tourism and hospitality industry.
• Monterey County Hospitality AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for hospitality industry recruitment events and virtual job fairs.
• Monterey County Farm BureauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor for agriculture, transportation, and logistics virtual job fair.
• Western Growers Center for Innovation & TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor for agriculture, transportation, and logistics virtual job fair.
• Joby AviationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership for specialized recruitment events to fill 200+ positions across engineering, manufacturing, and administrative roles at Marina and Santa Cruz facilities. Virtual job fairs held February 2022 and September 2021.
• Bloom EnergyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for September 2022 recruitment series for 300 manufacturing positions at Fremont facility. Positions paid $21-25/hour with $3,000 signing bonus.
• TeslacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for informational sessions and recruitments for production/assembly positions at Fremont facility. Free shuttle service from Salinas provided. Full benefits including medical, dental, vision, stock options.
• Vallarta SupermarketminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWeekly recruitment events for Salinas store opening in 2023 for cashiers, management, and all departments.
• California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for COVID-19 Microbusiness Relief Grant program providing $2,500 grants to businesses with 5 or fewer employees. At least $455,000 available for 180+ businesses.
• Tri-County Apprenticeship Preparation ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership between Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito County Workforce Development Boards with Monterey-Santa Cruz Building Trades Training and Education Fund for apprenticeship awareness.
• BW ResearchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContracted for Labor Force Participation Rate Research Study and WDB Visioning Study to explore reasons adult residents are leaving the workforce.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ManpowerGroup: Global staffing and workforce solutions provider with a comparable mix of recruitment, training, and career-transition services aimed at employers and job seekers. While not a WIOA direct competitor, Manpower competes for the same employer recruitment budgets and uses proprietary assessment technology that may pressure public WDB service value.
• Robert Half International: Large national staffing and recruiting firm that competes for the same employer-customized recruitment and temporary staffing spend that MCWDB serves via its customized recruitment, OJT, and job-fair offerings. Operates in Monterey County (and nationwide) with a fee-based, tech-enabled model that is the closest private-sector analogue.
• Employment Development Department (EDD), State of California: California's state-level agency that funds and oversees MCWDB and other local WDBs, administers CalJOBS (the state's job board that MCWDB uses), and operates Wagner-Peyser labor exchange services statewide. As MCWDB's principal funder and operator of the underlying platform, EDD is the closest upstream systemic peer.

Direct peers

• San Benito County Workforce Development Board: Tri-county partner (Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito) on apprenticeship preparation and joint National Apprenticeship Week observances. Small county-level California WIOA board with the same regulatory mandate, federal funding model, and free service structure as MCWDB.
• EmployIndy: Designated WIOA workforce development board for Marion County, Indiana, operating under an identical regulatory mandate and funding model. Provides free job-seeker services, employer connections, training programs, and youth services — directly comparable in mission, structure, and revenue model to MCWDB.
• California Employers Association (CEA): MCWDB's strategic partner for the no-cost employer HR hotline and monthly webinars. Operates as a statewide employer-services membership organization providing HR advice, labor-law updates, and workforce compliance support — directly adjacent to (and partially overlapping with) MCWDB's employer-services offering.
• Goodwill Industries of Monterey County: Local nonprofit workforce development operator that runs parallel job placement, training, and supportive-employment programs for people with barriers to work in Monterey County. Competes for similar job-seeker populations and employer partnerships and frequently partners with or alongside WIOA-funded programs.
• Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership: One of the largest U.S. WIOA-funded workforce development boards, serving Chicago and Cook County through American Job Center network sites. Operates an identical business model (WIOA Title I, AJCC network, employer partnerships, training programs) at meaningfully larger scale, providing a useful size-stratified peer.
• Santa Cruz County Workforce Development Board: Adjacent county-level WIOA workforce development board that already partners with MCWDB on the Tri-County Apprenticeship Preparation Program and Pajaro job fairs. Operates an essentially identical business model — federally designated, WIOA-funded, free job seeker and employer services — within a neighboring California county.
• Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County: Another California county-level WIOA workforce development board with the same statutory mandate, AJCC network, employer-services orientation, and free-to-user model. Provides a peer benchmark for board governance, grant performance, and programming depth in a similar mid-sized California county context.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/MontereyWorks
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCOUw4StEkIuibS7BYuBN2lg
• Facebookfacebook.com/MontereyCountyWorks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/monterey-county-works
• Instagraminstagram.com/monterey_county_works

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Monterey County Workforce Development Board