Educating Your Employees About Tax Credits
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a tax credit for working individuals or families that provides tax refunds of up to $4,400. The Working Families Credit (WFC) is a new local program that matches a portion of families EITC returns.
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Grant to boost biotech
$1.1 million to fund 2 training programs for S.F. residents.
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SFWorks is an enterprising solution that meets the needs of both employers and low-income individuals transitioning to work or trying to advance in their careers. We operate on two main fronts:

• Business Engagement
• Customized Training

SFWorks' principal areas of activity are:

• incubating customized pre-employment training programs;
• implementing skills-upgrading and career advancement programs;
• advocating for policy changes that support workforce development and
  the working poor; and
• providing technical assistance to employers and agencies throughout California and the nation.

For more information about SFWorks, click here

SFWorks to chair national workforce alliance
In May, Terri Feeley, executive director of SFWorks, the Chamber's workforce development affiliate, was elected to chair the board of The Workforce Alliance (TWA). TWA is a national coalition of local leaders advocating for federal policies that invest in the skills of America's workers.

TWA's membership includes employer associations, individual businesses, community-based agencies, county and city departments, community colleges, unions and local workforce boards. "Each group has their own national advocacy organizations, but it's all of us being part of the same group that makes our message about the value of education and training for workers so strong," says Feeley.

Feeley was joined at the most recent TWA advocacy summit by local partners representing SBC, Jewish Vocational Service and Workforce Investment San Francisco.

"TWA's advocacy facilitates the replication of training programs that SFWorks and our partners have created to serve the needs of local businesses and workers," says Feeley.

SFWorks expand biotech training
A recent poll commissioned by the Center for Economic Development, of 500 San Francisco voters, indicates that residents would view the relocation or development of biotech companies in SF favorably if -among other things- the industry "offered employment opportunities to San Franciscans of diverse educational backgrounds." SFWorks has begun developing the biotech skills of a small group of low-income adults at the City College of San Francisco's (CCSF) Southeast Campus in Bayview/Hunters Point.

Coinciding with CCSF's own efforts to increase the numbers of underrepresented individuals in the life-sciences industry, SFWorks' "On-Ramp" biotech training program has prepared its recent graduates for simultaneous enrollment in CCSF's "Bridge to Biotech" program and on-the-job training in industry. This career-ladders training program led by Chiron staff and City College instructors. The pilot has not only boosted the skills and confidence of On-Ramp participants -all of whom had no scientific background- but is also a key tier in the educational spectrum of a city that also boasts CCSF's model biotech certificate and UCSF's prestigious graduate educational programs. By preparing a full range of talent, San Francisco will be best situated to meet the multiple demands of industry while ensuring that qualified community residents have access to the new opportunities in biotech. For information, contact Lori Lindburg at 415-217-5192

Terri Feeley Executive Director	Tax Credit Help From SFWorks In addition to developing customized-training programs for its Bay Area business partners, SFWorks helps employers access valuable tax credits that can have a significant affect on the bottom line.
Many businesses are not aware that hiring individuals from SFWorks and other community-based training programs may qualify them for a number of federal-and state- hiring tax credits. Credits can range from $8,500 for hiring a long-term welfare recipient to $2,400 for hiring an individual from other disadvantaged backgrounds. Companies located in state enterprise zones may reap the biggest tax savings -up to $30,000 over five years for hiring individuals on public assistance or from specific neighborhoods. These savings are not insignificant: on SFWorks business partner who has hired 20 graduates qualifies for almost $158,000 in federal tax credits and $600,000 in state enterprise zone credits. To diminish the bureacracy employers face in accessing the tax savings, SFWorks has brought in TMC Development Working Solutions to file the credits for companies. TMC can also help employers access tax credits for existing eligible employees. For more information, contact Lori Lindburg at 415-217-5192 For more info about SFWorks click here