Job Creation under the Unemployment Insurance Code

The California Unemployment Insurance Code in Division 9 contains a CalWORKs Program on Job Creation. Section 17000 defines the term department as the Employment Development Department (EDD).

Section 17001 requires the EDD, “consistent with the ongoing relationships that the department maintains with private sector employers,” to encourage and organize the involvement of private sector employers and other community leaders in creating the necessary jobs for recipients of aid in order for them to move from welfare into unsubsidized employment.

Section 17002 requires the EDD to conduct activities including the following:

• Establish a council of corporate executives consisting of 13 members drawn from the business community including, but not limited to, retired or former chief executive officers of major California corporations. This council is required to provide ongoing advice and assistance to the EDD in recruiting private employers to hire recipients of aid.

• In consultation with the council, establish a clearinghouse for information on the Internet or other forms of toll-free communication for private sector employers to obtain information about assistance and resources for hiring CalWORKs recipients and to register their pledges to assist the state in finding the jobs necessary to meet the local welfare-to-work goals throughout the state.

• In consultation with the council, provide a forum for leaders in the faith-based communities, as well as other civic leaders, to assist the state in promoting welfare-to-work goals as part of the civic duty of their constituents.