Published: September 1, 2026
When layoffs hit, they don’t just affect companies. They affect people, families, and entire careers.
That’s what happened to Phil.
Phil was working at a satellite technology company in Palo Alto when his job ended during layoffs in October 2024. Like many tech workers in the South Bay and Silicon Valley, he suddenly found himself asking a hard question, what do I do next?
Instead of trying to figure it out alone, Phil turned to support available through EDD and a local partner in Sunnyvale: NovaWorks, which operates an America's Job Center of California (AJCC).
A Place to Reset and Rebuild
At NovaWorks, Phil entered a program designed specifically to support displaced Silicon Valley tech workers. The goal is simple: help people understand their strengths, build new skills, and connect them to their next job opportunity.
The program can serve up to 2,000 participants and is supported by a $950,000 federally funded grant administered by the EDD. That grant helps expand services like career coaching, training, and job search support for workers impacted by layoffs.
Phil didn’t hesitate once he got started.
“I jumped in with both feet just attending the workshops, talking to the counselors, and using the resources that they had to find my next opportunity.”
Help That Meets People Where They Are
At NovaWorks, support isn’t one-size-fits-all. Each participant goes through a formal assessment to understand their background, skills, and career goals.
From there, staff help build a personalized plan that can include:
- Job search support tailored to the tech industry.
- Resume and interview coaching.
- Training opportunities and skill-building programs.
- Guidance on education or career transitions.
The focus is on helping people move forward with clarity, not confusion. Phil received hands-on coaching and resources that helped him reposition his experience and prepare for new opportunities in the tech sector.
From Uncertainty to a New Job
With support from the program, Phil eventually secured a new, well-paying role at a tech company in Milpitas. Looking back, he credits the support he received as a key part of that transition.
“Using what I learned at NovaWorks helped me get this job.”
For the team at NovaWorks, stories like Phil’s are the goal.
As Jennifer Cheyer, NovaWorks program manager says, the moment a program participant calls or emails to say they’ve landed a job is what makes the work truly meaningful.
“When we get that phone call or email… ‘Hey! I got the job!’ we celebrate that. We’re super excited about that. And we’re also there to support them through that process.”
Supporting a Path Forward
Programs like this give workers more than just job listings. They provide structure during uncertainty, personalized guidance, and the confidence to move forward.
Phil’s story is one example of what happens when workers connect with the right support at the right time. With help from NovaWorks and funding through EDD, he was able to turn a job loss into a new opportunity.
For workers facing transitions, programs like these are there to provide not just services and resources, but a path forward when they need one the most.
