Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Goodwill Industries of Central Ohio Inc., dba Goodwill Columbus, a non-profit organization, in support of IT career preparation programming.
Goodwill Columbus has planned a one-year program for 100 participants with cohorts participating in 12 to 15 week training programs. Before starting a credential program, jobseekers will receive any digital literacy training they may need. Program participants may choose from credentials through Google, Microsoft, CompTIA, Facebook, and EC-Council. These programs are aligned with jobs in computer repair, end-user support, network maintenance, security, and programming.
Goodwill’s job training programs support a diverse array of job seekers. 15% of participants are recipients of SNAP, TANF, and WIC assistance. 15% of participants have been impacted by the justice system. 46% of participants are African American or Black, 33% are White, 6% are Hispanic or Latinx, 5% are Asian or Pacific Islander, and 9% identify as Mixed Race. About half of participants are over the age of 25.
Supports for this diverse population include housing and financial support, transportation support, child care support, career exploration activities, and more. This grant will support personnel expenses, supplies expenses including recruitment materials, supportive services to participants, exam fees for credentials, staff travel, and administrative costs.
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested to provide timely support for the organization to launch the fall cohort of the program before the end of the year.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Jobs Growth subfund.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Goodwill Industries of Central Ohio Inc., dba Goodwill Columbus, in support of their IT career preparation programming; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure within the Jobs Growth subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($183,802.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Central Ohio employers have large numbers of open, well-paying IT jobs, but there is a deficit in the workforce of job seekers with skills aligned to these jobs, often due to barriers to receiving training in these skills; and
WHEREAS, Goodwill Industries of Central Ohio Inc., dba Goodwill Columbus, designed a program including their Career Boot Camp, industry-recognized credentialing in IT, and intensive career preparation services with expansive participant support; and
WHEREAS, Program graduates can expect a starting wage of over $18 per hour, and those pursuing intermediate-level credentials through Goodwill Columbus can pursue positions with wages ranging from $23 to $34 per hour; and
WHEREAS, 93% of Goodwill’s IT employer partners offer benefits such as employer-sponsored health insurance and 401K match contributions, contributing to the overall stabilization that a program graduate and their family experiences moving forward; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual operation of the office of the City Clerk that it is immediately necessary to authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Goodwill Industries of Central Ohio Inc., dba Goodwill Columbus, to ensure their ability to launch the program this fall with their first cohort and provide thorough supports to program participants; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Goodwill Industries of Central Ohio Inc., dba Goodwill Columbus, in support of their IT certification workforce development program.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $183,802.00 in the Jobs Growth subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100015, to the City Clerk per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $183,802.00, or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1 of this ordinance, is hereby authorized in the Jobs Growth subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100015 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.