Stafford Group, 160 Pasito Ter, Sunnyvale, CA 94086, US

NOVA is a nonprofit, federally-funded employment and training agency that provides customer-focused workforce development services. The agency works with local businesses, educators and job seekers to provide programs that build the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to address the workforce needs of Silicon Valley. The majority of job seekers served through NOVA are laid off workers, affected by the downsizing or closure of companies. The agency also helps job seekers with special needs, such as homeless veterans, disabled workers, welfare recipients, teen parents and older workers. NOVA is funded primarily by grants from the state and federal government and by local industry. A board that works on behalf of a seven-city consortium composed of Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Cupertino, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos and Milpitas, Calif., directs the agency.