San Diego workers who just lost their jobs can get a big boost finding a new employer quickly.
Local companies who re-hire them within 45 days can qualify for grants from the San Diego Workforce Partnership to help pay for their training.
Layoffs are still happening in San Diego. The Coca-Cola company just announced it would be letting 102 San Diego workers go. And the local retail industry lost jobs on an annual basis for the first time since July 2010.
"I don't know if it's the customer service or what, but whatever it is, it can be fixed," said Devaun Pacely, who works in a retail clothing store downtown.
In the meantime, hundreds of San Diego workers need new jobs. And there's a new tool to help them become more attractive to employers - subsidized on the job training. Employers can apply through the San Diego Workforce Partnership to get what are called Rapid Response funds. They aren't limited to retail jobs.
"If a laid off person finds a company to hire them in another industry, it might be an opportunity for the laid off person to transition to a new industry," said Tina Ngo Bartel, of the Workforce Partnership.
The best way for workers to become eligible for the funds is to sign up through one of the local job centers.
