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Brad Gates, a 16-year veteran of job creation and economic development efforts within San Bernardino County, has been appointed director of the County Workforce Development Department.
Gates, who had served as interim director of the department since October, assumes leadership of the department during a time when San Bernardino County’s job market is surging beyond pre-pandemic levels and the Workforce Development Department is engaged in several projects to further assist job seekers and employers.
“We are very fortunate to have someone with Brad’s qualifications and experience leading our efforts at this time,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “San Bernardino County is one of the country’s fastest-growing economic and population centers. We’ve got a supportive business culture and a growing, qualified labor pool – all of which encourages the kind of consistent economic growth we’re seeing.”
Gates served as assistant Workforce Development director from September 2020 to October 2021, and as deputy director from December 2011 to June 2016. He worked for the City of Ontario as the business operations director from June 2016 to September 2020 and as an economic development coordinator from March 2006 to December 2011. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from Cal Poly Pomona.
“During his time as the interim Workforce director, the Workforce team has achieved some significant accomplishments, including the grand opening of the East Valley America’s Job Center of California, implementation of a pilot project to train incumbent worker firefighters for High Desert fire departments, and colocation of the Economic Development Department within Workforce’s workspace to facilitate improved synergy between these two functions,” said County Chief Executive Officer Leonard X. Hernandez. “I look forward to working with Brad on future projects.”
“The Workforce Development Department is defined by an experienced, talented, and customer-focused team,” Gates said. “It will be an honor and a privilege to lead this department as it plays a key role in helping San Bernardino County achieve its economic potential, supported by the four pillars of our County’s organizational culture – value, innovation, service, and vision.”
“Brad‘s experience in workforce and economic development, and his familiarity with our operations, make him an ideal choice to lead our workforce development department,” said Phil Cothran, Chairman of the County Workforce Development Board. “We are fortunate to have someone of his experience and leadership abilities as San Bernardino County builds a robust labor pool to meet the needs of our growing business community.”
The San Bernardino County Workforce Development Department implements comprehensive strategies to meet the needs of local businesses for a skilled workforce, while creating opportunities for workers to prepare for and enter into good-paying careers.
The 106-employee department operates programs under the guidance of the Workforce Development Board, funded by the Department of Labor’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The department also operates America’s Job Centers of California sites strategically located in the East Valley, West Valley and High Desert Regions of the County.
Uniquely positioned to support local customers during times of economic growth or decline, the job centers provide the assistance required to meet changing workforce needs. Residents can get help with skills assessment, identifying career paths, updating their resumes, and preparing for job interviews.
The department also offers:
For more information on the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Department, please visit https://wp.sbcounty.gov/workforce/.