Blas Gonzalez, 45, first came to the South Bay One- Stop Center in Inglewood in February 2020, referred by the LA County Probation INVEST program to access specialized employment services that could help him become a licensed plumber. With multiple arrests and convictions in prior years, Blas was in search of an opportunity to make a meaningful reintegration into the workforce.

Blas held entry-level plumbing jobs in the past, but faced the near-impossible task of securing employment during a global pandemic. He diligently attended weekly virtual career counseling sessions and virtual job seeker workshops where he gained knowledge in the areas of virtual interviewing and job search strategies during the pandemic. To assist with his rapid reintegration into the workforce, the SBWIB provided him with essential plumbing tools to perform his daily duties.