Hernan Villanueva, a mechanical engineer, was among 115 employees affected by a mass layoff. With no union support or bumping rights, he faced job loss and uncertainty. After attending a Rapid Response meeting, he connected with the South Bay One-Stop Business & Career Center and enrolled in the Dislocated Worker program.

He received career counseling, job search assistance, and training resources. He later attended a job fair, where he networked with aerospace employers and submitted his resume. Hernan interviewed with Rocket Lab for a Tool Designer Engineer role, was hired, and started at $56.25 per hour. Now employed for six months, he’s self-sufficient and thriving, thanks to the support he received during his transition.