The upcoming public closure of the local Walmart facility, in effect beginning March 29th, will impact 233 individuals of which 200 approximately have been offered to transition to another position and location within the company. All those affected by the closure were invited to attend yesterday’s job fair. Walmart hosted the event on-site, making it possible for workers to participate as their shift schedules allowed, and worked closely with the rapid response team in the days leading up to the event to ensure its success. 

“The closure of the Walmart Supercenter in West Covina will have a tremendous impact on the economy in the East San Gabriel Valley,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, First District. “I thank our Department of Economic Opportunity for assisting employees with job training assistance and resources for new good-paying jobs. I’m also grateful for the leadership of Mayor Brian Tabatabai whose immediate action to host a Rapid Response information session was critical to assist displaced workers. As former Secretary of Labor, I’m committed to creating and preserving jobs – including enhancing protections for workers.”

“We know closures like this one can be devastating for individuals, families, and communities. We also know those workers impacted by the closure of this store are resilient and the County and our Rapid Response team are here with our partners to address the loss, quickly connect those displaced to new opportunities, and provide a range of resources and support to get folks back on their feet,” said Kelly LoBianco, Director of the County’s Department of Economic Opportunity. “We’re grateful for the leadership of Supervisor Hilda L. Solis and Mayor Brian Tabatabai, our America’s Job Centers of California, our State and local partners, and all the employers here for the West Covina community.” 

DEO administers LA County’s Rapid Response program, funded by the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), through its system of America’s Job Centers of California (AJCCs) to workers affected by layoffs and plant closures alongside six other Workforce Development Boards in LA County. Rapid response efforts have been instrumental in assisting with regional layoff aversion strategies and providing relief for dislocated workers in the current economic climate within the Los Angeles County. 

To kick off the fair, DEO’s Pomona Valley AJCC led a Rapid Response information session, which included presentations by Employment Development Department (EDD) Unemployment Insurance and Workforce Services, Covered California, Independent Financial Advisor, and Department of Labor, on workforce development services available to all dislocated workers such as job search assistance, job training opportunities, resume writing and interview workshops, job placement as needed, and more. Local partners, including the City of West Covina, the Office of LA County Board of Supervisor Hilda Solis, LA County Departments of Public Social Services and Consumer and Business Affairs, were available on-site to answer questions, assist individuals with applying for benefits they may qualify for, connect to rental and mortgage aid, medical insurance, and more. 

“Today’s rapid response job fair and information session, in collaboration with LA County Board of Supervisor Hilda L. Solis and the County’s Department of Economic Opportunity, underscores our commitment to the well-being of our community members impacted by the closure of the Walmart Supercenter in West Covina,” said Brian Calderón Tabatabai Mayor of City of West Covina. Our collective effort to connect over 200 individuals with essential services reflects our dedication to ensuring that our residents have the resources they need to navigate this challenging time and secure new opportunities for their future.” 

60 affected workers attended the job fair and connected to 7 local employers who provided on-site recruitment and interviews for positions currently available for candidates that may be interested in applying. Employers included King Taco, Kehe, Target, Mercado Latino, , Grocery Outlet, Allied Universal, and In2Vission Programs LLC. 11 individuals were scheduled for interviews. 

For more information on the Department of Economic Opportunity, visit opportunity.lacounty.gov.  

About DEO: The newly created Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), launched in July 2022, helps job seekers, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and residents access life changing opportunities, and is home to 18 local America’s Job Centers of California, LA County’s one stop shop that provides a comprehensive range of no-cost employment and training services for youth and adult job seekers, and employers. Stay connected with DEO! Follow @EconOppLA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, subscribe to our newsletter, or visit opportunity.lacounty.gov to learn about DEO services.

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