Alliance For Workforce Development Highlights Sierra County Services

SIERRA COUNTY — At Tuesday’s Sierra County Board of Supervisors meeting, James Cox, Business Services Manager for Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc. (AFWD), gave a presentation on the organization’s services to the county’s businesses and job seekers. AFWD serves as Sierra County’s designated America’s Job Center of California (AJCC), aiming to connect employers with job openings to people who are looking for work. Cox was joined by Resource Coordinator Nancy Settle and Business Services Representative Carson Friedline.

Cox explained that AFWD provides business services, including recruitment assistance, human resources consultation, and workshops and training. The organization maintains a “business-first” philosophy, aligning with state and local legislation. For job seekers, AFWD offers job search assistance, supportive services such as work attire or tools, classroom training, and work-based learning opportunities.

In the 2024-2025 program year, the organization made a strategic move from a Sierraville office to the Loyalton Wellness Center. Working with the county’s human services department, AFWD staff have also embedded themselves in the Downieville Community Hall and maintain regular engagement in Sierraville. AFWD has provided services for businesses throughout the county, including Downieville Day Spa, High Sierras Family Resource Center, Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District, Sierraville Fuel, JADAA’s, Sierra Hardware, and Sierra Pines Resort. AFWD’s largest client is, expectedly, Sierra County itself.

By sector, AFWD’s business clients break down as 39.7% accommodation (hotels and restaurants), 22.1% public administration, 14.7% healthcare, 11.8% education, 7.4% retail, and 4.4% wholesale. AFWD served 26 job-seeking clients and 25 unique businesses in Sierra County. In total, the organization offered 44 workshops and provided 89 services to businesses. Despite climbing to above 6% early in the year, Sierra County’s unemployment rate in June was 4.5%, down slightly from 4.6% in July of 2024.

AFWD highlighted several success stories from the program, including Devon, now working in the Sierra County Planning Department, and Chris Robles, a Loyalton resident who started his own business with support from AFWD. Robles now does contract work, including landscape design, yard maintenance, construction projects, snow removal, and even computer support.

Supervisors were appreciative of the work AFWD does in the community. Supervisor Lee Adams commended the AFWD team for putting faces and names to success stories in the county. On the move from Sierraville to Loyalton, Supervisor Sharon Dryden commented that being at the Wellness Center “is probably a really good fit for the community.” Supervisor Terry LeBlanc, who said he needed work done on his property, requested Chris Robles’ contact information.