History of TEA

The Training and Employment Association of Tulare County (TEA) has been in existence for over 30 years. TEA began when a group of community leaders made a conscious decision to respond to changes in legislation related to workforce development funding. Tulare County workforce development professionals representing community based organizations, educational institutions, and employment & training organizations understood the importance of collaboration in order to effectively implement provisions of the new law.

After several preliminary meetings, the members decided to formalize their meetings and to network and collaborate in a deliberate effort to influence processes and systems associated with workforce preparedness. Since its inception, TEA continues to play an integral role in defining and improving the delivery of employment and training services to the residents of Tulare County. TEA is dedicated to enhancing the workforce development system, cultivating a skilled labor force, augmenting economic development efforts, and providing professional development of its members.

The overarching principles of the group included maximizing limited resources by minimizing duplicity and enhancing collaborative efforts. The association continues to be the preeminent volunteer association dedicated to enhancing collaboration and professional development among workforce development professionals within Tulare County.