• The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
• New NOVA Director
• Summer Youth Employment Program
• NOVA 25th Anniversary Retrospective

• Clean Energy/Green Building
• Solar Installer Internships
• What’s Your Workforce Crisis
  
• NOVA In the News
• Newsletters

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) was signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009.  This economic stimulus package totals nearly $790 billion in funding and is intended to provide the foundation and springboard for Silicon Valley’s recovery and our country’s prosperity. 

Of the $2.9 billion being distributed by the U.S. Department of Labor through ARRA, NOVA has received $2.9 million, as well as an additional $1.8 million of "Rapid Response" monies to provide immediate assistance to companies facing layoffs within NOVA’s seven-city region.

Much of this funding will supplement NOVA’s existing training resources, while more than $1 million will be used to expand NOVA’s summer youth employment program with the expectation of providing 200 youth from throughout northern Santa Clara County with work-readiness training, work experience, and additional services. (See below for more information on NOVA’s Summer Youth Employment Program.)

For more information about the Recovery Act, please visit the federal site at www.recovery.gov and California’s website at www.recovery.ca.gov.

The City of Sunnyvale has named Kris Stadelman the new director of the NOVA Workforce Board. Stadelman comes to NOVA after nine years as the chief executive officer for the Workforce Development Council of Seattle – King County, Washington.

Click here for the City of Sunnyvale press release (March 12, 2009).

Youth earn up to $1600 while gaining valuable work experience, training, and career development services. (Services available to youth ages 16–21. Individuals must be income-eligible with the right to work in the U.S.) Applications available now!

Businesses receive recruitment assistance and labor at no cost, while providing youth with valuable job skills and experience in the world of work. Businesses can participate by providing one or more youth with 140–180 hours of work over the course of the summer. (Other opportunities available for businesses with specific needs — contact staff to determine how NOVA can support your business efforts.)

For more information, click here.

NOVA recently celebrated its 25th anniversary and produced a video to share the evolution of the organization and the Valley.

Click here to link to the first part, hosted on YouTube.

And click here for the second segment.

This 2008 report is designed to help individuals explore and research a number of green careers available within Silicon Valley. This timely report provides information on specific careers within these industry sectors and a variety of links to other valuable resources.

Compiled and edited by Jim Cassio, career information professional.

Link to more information on the project and download the report
and other forum presentation documents.

Through the Silicon Valley Solar Industry-Driven Regional Collaborative, San José City College and Cabrillo College are currently offering cutting-edge training in the growing field of photovoltaic (solar panel) installation.

In addition to an accelerated curriculum and hands-on lab in preparation for industry certification, the program will include an opportunity for students successfully completing the course to participate in paid work experience.

• Businesses: If you are a solar company interested in sponsoring an intern, please click here to register.
  
  
• Students: If you are a student/job seeker interested in the growing field of solar energy, click here for more information about how to participate.

This series of videos is part of a longer video created by NOVA in 2008 featuring interviews with regional employers and a renowned economist to discuss a number of issues that are anticipated to impact not only Silicon Valley and its world-class workforce, but also the rest of California.

For additional information and to view these clips, click here.

NOVA—the organization, its staff, and its board members—are frequently mentioned in the press.

For a list of articles in which NOVA staff or board members are quoted or NOVA or the CONNECT! one-stop system are referenced, click here.

Workforce Innovations

Check out the current issue of Workforce Innovations, NOVA's e-mail newsletter.

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• Workforce Innovations Archives
  
  

Workforce Review

The Workforce Review provides a monthly review of labor market statistics and related information for northern Santa Clara County.

• Most recent issue (PDF)
• Workforce Review Archives
  
  

PEP: High Performance, Soft Skills

Helpful tips on how to improve your communication, team building or problem-solving skills. Each issue focuses on a "soft skill" necessary for career success.

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• PEP E-Newsletter Archives