WDB, SBDC partner with Facebook to build digital marketing skills
New program will give job seekers paid training and summer fellowships at Solano businesses
SOLANO COUNTY – Nearly 50 job seekers in Solano County will gain valuable skills and steady employment over the next five months through a digital marketing training program designed by Facebook that culminates with paid summer fellowships at local businesses.
The Workforce Development Board of Solano County is partnering with Facebook to bring Career Connections to the area, leveraging the network and business support of the Solano Small Business Development Center.
Following several weeks of applicant screening, 49 job seekers have been accepted into Career Connections. They will soon begin a one-month online training with Facebook to develop and sharpen their digital marketing skills. Each fellow will be placed in a Solano County business this summer where they will use their new skills to promote these businesses on social media platforms.
Both job seekers and business owners will have access to additional trainings and resources from Facebook throughout the summer. Participating business owners will also receive a $500 Facebook/Instagram advertising credit. The fellows will be paid with federal workforce funds and the program is at no cost to business owners.
“Many of our business owners have realized the importance of having a strong digital presence over the past year but may have struggled with how to build that presence” said Heather Henry, executive director of the Workforce Development Board of Solano County. “At the same time, digital marketing is a growing opportunity that can be utilized in almost any industry. This project is a valuable resource coming at a very pivotal point in the pandemic recovery.”
The demand for digital marketers has grown considerably in the last decade with the rise in social media and online advertising – 29 percent in the last five years alone. The skills gained in digital marketing can also be utilized in management, scientific, technical, or medical industries, as well as the traditional advertising and public relation fields.
The job seekers selected for the Career Connections program come from all cities in Solano County. They include recent high school graduates, college students and seasoned professionals who want to develop their digital marketing skills.
For many, Career Connections is coming at an opportune time. Approximately 40 percent of the people who have lost jobs in Solano County due to the COVID-19 pandemic were between the ages of 20 and 34.
All job seekers in Career Connections will be paired with a job placement coach from the Workforce Development Board who will assist them in finding permanent employment following their fellowship.
The Workforce Development Board of Solano County provides employment-related services for job seekers and businesses in Solano County. The WDB also serves as host to the Solano-Napa SBDC, which offers free, individualized, and confidential one-on-one advising for existing businesses and start-ups with 500 or fewer employees.
