The Oakland Private Industry Council (Oakland PIC) was awarded a $2.5 million-per-year contract this week by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors to manage the county’s workforce development program.

Competing against five other bidders for the contract, the Oakland PIC won the bid after independent experts with skills in employment training programs reviewed all proposals and the board submitted a unanimous vote.

< p>< p>In contrast to a bid by HR Management, an Oakland company that quoted $698,000 in administrative costs, the Oakland PIC’s bid was three times less that amount with $227,000 for administration and 90 percent of the $2.5 million supporting the training and retraining of unemployed Alameda County residents.

Having pioneered the One Stop Career Center model, the Oakland PIC has a record of success in providing employment services to job seekers and businesses. They have managed workforce development programs, both federally- and state-funded, since 1984.

“I think based on the proposal and past results of working with the Oakland Private Industry Council, we felt very confident that they would be able to hit all the goals of their contract,” said Supervisor Keith Carson of the board’s unanimous vote.

“Their numbers were off the charts,” said Keith Carson, Alameda County Board of Supervisor .

The contract covers three years of funding. After a competitive and open bidding process, Alameda County residents will be able to receive the benefits.

“My experience with the Oakland Private Industry was one of professionalism, efficiency, and great communication,” said Aaron Ortiz, executive director of East Bay Community Services, who worked with Oakland PIC providing internships to kids in foster care and on probation.

Having experience working with employment development programs, Ortiz says his experience with Oakland PIC was exceptional.

“Kids always got paid on time and they were great at providing technical [support]. They worked really well as a lead agency,” he said.

“We are pleased in the board’s confidence in our previous work,” said Richard de Jauregui, planning director at Oakland PIC.

Gay Plair Cobb, CEO of the Oakland PIC, says, “This will support really significant needs throughout [Alameda] county.”

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