Salas secures grant for new training center

Assemblymember Rudy Salas gave Farmworker Institute of Education and Leadership Development CEO David Villarino a large replica check for $8 million, representing the guaranteed funding that he has helped secure for the group and their new training center.

“I am proud to bring this $8 million to the FIELD organization to support high-quality job training opportunities that will boost our economy and bring new opportunities to our community,” said Salas. “The Central Valley is working to be the leader in fire, solar, construction and manufacturing industries. These new workforce development projects will provide our students with the skills needed to get good-paying jobs and help our families put food on the table.”

FIELD, founded by Farmworker Leader Cesar Chavez, is part of his ultimate vision to inspire farmworkers and the rural workforce to achieve self-sufficiency and a better quality of life. FIELD carries out this mission through a continuum of education and workforce development programs that assist underserved communities in achieving empowerment, self-sufficiency, and a better quality of life. FIELD helps individuals and families overcome educational and societal barriers by equipping them to participate productively in the California economy. Whether it is developing skills to fight devastating wildfires, combating the adverse effects of climate change, or fostering the use of clean energy, FIELD has been improving the quality of life for underserved Californians for the past four decades.

FIELD has served over 100,000 people in the Central Valley, and has made major investments in local education and training infrastructure.