VJOBS was created in 1998 as a nonprofit California corporation to provide job opportunities for at-risk individuals [1]. Its creation was an outgrowth of the Playa Vista project, which has committed 10% of all its construction-related jobs to PVJOBS candidates. Selection of candidates for job opportunities is based on a "cumulative at-risk factor" (those with the greatest number of barriers are given priority consideration).

PVJOBS has partnered with 57 community-based organizations that refer candidates for placement. Together we help those at greatest risk of failure to secure and to maintain career-track jobs that pay a living wage. PVJOBS serves this collaborative by coordinating workforce activities, union referrals (when applicable), compliance verification and through advocacy. Collaborators work together by sharing services to provide a network of support for clients, greatly enhancing their potential to succeed. We believe that ongoing rehabilitation requires personal responsibility and meaningful employment coupled with meaningful, individualized support. The program has received widespread community, political and private enterprise support.

PVJOBS has received funding from a variety of sources. The Governor's 15% Discretionary Workforce Investment Act program has selected PVJOBS as one of its recipients to provide job opportunities for at-risk candidates. PVJOBS is also part of Los Angeles County Welfare-to-Work program as a Mini Career Center, providing a variety of job placement training and placement opportunities.

PVJOBS success has been adopted by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) as a model for assisting those at-risk to enter the workforce and has contracted with PVJOBS to work with its contractors to place candidates in Caltrans and other public works construction projects. The City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works has also contracted with PVJOBS to make referrals to its East-Central Intercept Sewer (ECIS) project. And the Los Angeles Community College District has selected PVJOBS as its sole-source referral agent for at-risk placements in its $1.2 billion voter-approved construction program.

Program Status
PVJOBS has over 3,500 active, job-ready candidates in its database from partnered community-based organizations. It has filled over 1600 positions with its candidates and maintains a retention rate of 87%. Playa Vista contractors have embraced the program and have consistently exceeded the 10% requirement; compliance is strictly monitored on a monthly basis. The program is so successful, that PVJOBS receives many requests for candidates from employers unaffiliated with Playa Vista or any of its funded projects.

Governance
PVJOBS has a fourteen-member Board of Directors representing education, probation, government, housing, business and social services and is managed by an Executive Director and a support staff.

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PVJOBS ~ 9100 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 590-1385 – Main, (310) 590-1993 – Fax
www.pvjobs.org