On July 2, 2012, KRA launched a new workforce services project in San Diego, California. KRA was selected by the San Diego Workforce Partnership (SDWP) for Management and Operation of the San Diego Metro Region One-Stop Career Centers. SDWP entrusted KRA to be its funded partner in the largest and most impactful area of the city. As stated on their website, “At the Workforce Partnership, our goal is to make the workforce ever stronger. That’s why we fund partners committed to training and placing those who are ready to join it.”
KRA’s operation includes two multi-service One-Stop Career Centers (One-Stop) and additional satellite facilities where jobseekers and businesses will be able to access services under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). To place jobseekers in gainful employment as quickly as possible, KRA offers a full range of training, job-readiness, and placement services. For area employers, KRA provides customized recruitment, referral, and retention services. Also, since San Diego has a huge military presence, the KRA One-Stop provides enhanced services for veterans.
Maxine Suka, KRA Program Manager, reported, “The KRA One-Stops assist jobseekers in enhancing and upgrading skills to qualify for in-demand careers through customized and on-the-job training opportunities. We offer a wide variety of workshops, and involve area employers in the development of our job-readiness curriculum. This ensures that KRA and our employer-customers are on the same page relative to the abilities and skills they need for their businesses.”
Knowlton R. Atterbeary, KRA President & CEO, concluded, “The entire KRA family is excited about this opportunity. Launching the project in San Diego underscores that KRA offers a true coast-to-coast operation. As with all KRA projects, we bring to this new venture an innovative service delivery system, and customized solutions that will provide increased employment opportunities for Metro Region jobseeker-customers who need training and/or job placement, and business-customers who need a steady pipeline of qualified workers.”
Dr. Boone’s 20+ years’ experience in the industry is extensive and her expertise in private-, public-, and non-profit sector workforce-services organizations is unparalleled, particularly in the Baltimore–Washington Metropolitan area.
