Angelov Farooq: COVID-19 and California's Workforce & Economy

In this episode, Chairman of the California Workforce Development Board, Dr. Angelov Farooq talks with students from the UC Riverside School of Public Policy about state strategies and policies to combat historic unemployment, a struggling economy, and distance learning amidst a statewide shelter-in-place order. About Angelov Farooq: Angelov Farooq is the owner of AVM Innovation Consulting, LLC, a Southern California based economic development firm. In 2013, Dr. Farooq was appointed the Chairman of the California Workforce Development Board under Governor Gavin Newsom's administration. . As Chairman, he leads the largest workforce development system in the country under the vision of the Governor & Secretary of Labor. In 2015, he was elected on the Board of Education for the Riverside Unified School District. Dr. Farooq is also the Founding Director of the UC Riverside Center for Economic Development. Learn more about Angelov Farooq via https://angelovfarooq.com/about. Podcast Highlights: “The number one focus has been about the digital divide...not everybody is on an equal plainfield so getting people technology devices has been the number one priority.” -       Angelov Farooq on the topic of school closures and addressing online learning from Governor Newsom and the state superintendent. “The bottom line is there are a lot of inequities in a strong economy and those inequities can only be potentially extended even further during a crisis.” -       Angelov Farooq on the topic of the impact of California's Unified Strategic Workforce Development Plan during the unemployment crisis. “There’s going to be a new normal after the shelter in place has lifted and the reality is that it’s likely going to be done in phases.” -       Angelov Farooq on the topic of non-essential workers telecommuting due the pandemic. Guest: Angelov Farooq (Chairman of the California Workforce Development Board) Interviewers: Maddie Bunting (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Chief Ambassador) Imad Jobah (UCR Public Policy Major, Dean’s Ambassador) Music by: Samuel Roberts (UCR Public Policy ‘20) This is a production of the UCR School of Public Policy: https://spp.ucr.edu/