Fresno Workforce Funding Rises as Parlier Center and Training Programs Open Doors for Rural and Dislocated Workers

The Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board received $1,841,243 more in its 2025-2026 allocation from the State of California Employment Development Department than in the prior year.

This increase supports expanded services under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act for local businesses and job seekers served by the board, a Joint Powers Authority formed by the City and County of Fresno.

New Parlier site reaches rural communities

The board opened a Workforce Connection One-Stop Center in Parlier on Manning near Mendocino, raising the total number of county sites to three. The location targets rural residents who previously traveled farther for WIOA-funded assistance with job placement and training referrals.

Staff at the Parlier center connect participants to the Greater Sierra Forestry Corps for entry into forestry careers and to the ValleyBuild program for construction skills. A separate $750,000 QUEST Grant now funds services for long-term unemployed and dislocated workers who meet eligibility criteria at any of the three sites.

Leadership academy engages local decision makers

The board also launched the Fresno Workforce Leadership Academy for 2025 as a year-long fellowship run with the Aspen Institute. Fellows examine systemic barriers and develop coordinated responses using the added state resources.

Program records show the academy draws participants from county agencies, employers and training providers already linked to the board’s existing centers. The combination of the funding increase, the Parlier opening and the QUEST allocation gives these partners concrete tools to place workers into forestry and construction roles while addressing longer-term unemployment.

Board documents list the three sites and the specific grant amounts as the immediate mechanisms for delivering services through the end of the 2025-2026 program year. Local employers and job seekers can contact the Parlier center or the other two county locations to determine eligibility for the forestry corps, ValleyBuild or QUEST-supported training.