The Workforce Investment Board of Santa Barbara County recently launched a project to help former Santa Barbara Bank & Trust employees find new jobs. The Santa Barbara County-based bank merged with Union Bank last year. Executives called the move a win-win for customers, but it also resulted in 300 employee layoffs.
The Workforce Investment is leading the collaborative effort, which includes the Goleta Valley and Santa Barbara chambers of commerce, Santa Barbara City College, and BW Research.
“When a large-scale layoff of this kind happens in our community, it is a top priority to respond and see how we can assist,” project manager Jessican McLernon told the Sun. “In addition, several local employers came to us indicating a desire to help and a willingness to hire these workers. We felt it was a unique opportunity and applied for special funding to launch a dedicated program to help make those connections.”
The project team will work together to evaluate the skills of the laid off workers and the needs of local employers. If necessary, short-term vocational skills training will be provided to bridge any potential skill gaps.
“These are experienced, skilled and qualified workers,” McLernon said, adding, “we have had some difficulty reaching the laid-off workers.”
People who lost their jobs with Santa Barbara Bank & Trust/Union Bank are encouraged to complete a brief online survey at bwresearch.com/pl/sbwib-bt.
For more information, contact Jessica McLernon at j.mclernon@sbcsocialserv.org.
Managing Editor Amy Asman compiled this week’s Community Corner. Information should be sent to the Sun via mail, e-mail, or fax.
This article appears in Oct 17-24, 2013.
