May is Small Business Month!

May is National Small Business Month! Small businesses are the backbone of Monterey County’s economy, and Monterey County Works is expanding its support for local employers with a variety of helpful business services designed to make hiring, training, and day-to-day operations a little easier. 

From recruitment support to HR assistance, Monterey County Works offers flexible tools and resources tailored to businesses' unique needs. One standout service is the Recruitment Video program, which helps businesses create professional videos that highlight their workplace, company culture, and hiring needs. A strong video can help employers stand out and connect with potential candidates in a more personal and engaging way. Best of all, the first recruitment video is free. 

Employers can also take advantage of the free HR Hotline, a no-cost resource that helps businesses navigate employee and workplace questions while reducing HR-related stress and expenses. 

Throughout the year, Monterey County Works also hosts Employer Webinars on topics such as labor law updates, hiring practices, and managing different workforce generations. These online sessions are designed to give employers practical information they can apply right away in their workplaces. 

Need a place to host a meeting or training? Monterey County employers also have access to training rooms, private offices, and Zoom rooms available Monday through Friday at little to no cost. 

Monterey County Works continues to support local businesses by providing resources that help employers grow, hire, and succeed. To learn more about available business services, visit our Small Business Support page at www.montereycountyworks.com.

Helping Employers Build Stronger Teams

Monterey County employers looking to grow their businesses while investing in local talent have a valuable resource available through Monterey County Works’ On-the-Job Training (OJT) program.

The program helps connect employers with pre-screened candidates while providing financial support during the training process. Participating businesses may qualify for up to $8,000 in payroll reimbursement, helping offset the cost of training new employees while building a stronger workforce.

Monterey County Works works directly with employers to develop customized training plans tailored to the specific needs of their industry and workplace. The program is designed to make the hiring process easier by handling much of the paperwork and administrative work, allowing businesses to focus on training and developing their new team members.

The OJT program not only supports business growth but also creates opportunities for local residents to gain valuable skills and long-term employment. By partnering with Monterey County employers, Monterey County Works continues to strengthen the local workforce and support economic growth throughout the region.

Employers interested in learning more about the On-the-Job Training program can contact Monterey County Works at (831) 796-3341 or email MCWDB-businessservices@countyofmonterey.gov.

Workforce Training That Supports Business Growth

Investing in employees is one of the best ways businesses can grow and stay competitive, and Monterey County Works is helping make that investment easier through its Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) program.

The program gives local employers access to grants that can cover about 50% of training and project costs for current employees. Businesses can choose the training program and instructor that work best for their team, allowing them to focus on the specific skills their employees need most.

Whether it’s improving technical skills, developing leadership abilities, or preparing employees for advancement opportunities, the IWT program helps businesses strengthen their workforce while supporting long-term employee growth and retention.

Monterey County Works also helps simplify the process by providing dedicated business services support and keeping paperwork to a minimum.

Priority is given to growing industries throughout Monterey County, including hospitality, healthcare, agriculture, construction, transportation and logistics, finance, insurance and real estate, and information technology. The Incumbent Worker Training program is designed to support businesses that are creating career growth opportunities, safe workplaces, and competitive wages for employees.

By helping employers invest in their existing workforce, Monterey County Works continues to support stronger businesses, stronger employees, and a stronger local economy.

Interested in learning more about Incumbent Worker Training Grants? Contact a Business Services representative at (831) 796-3341, or email MCWDB-businessservices@countyofmonterey.gov.

Meet Monterey County Workforce Development Board Member: Larry Hartman

Larry Hartman joined the Monterey County Workforce Development Board in 2025, bringing decades of banking and leadership experience. He currently serves as Manager of Facilities and Administrative Services at Wescom Financial, supporting all 30 Wescom Branches, including the four in Monterey County and 26 in the Los Angeles area. 

Wescom Financial is a not-for-profit financial institution that provides a full range of financial services along with community-focused financial literacy programs. In his role, Hartman oversees daily operations across branches in Marina, Salinas, Soledad, and King City, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and strong member service. 

Hartman emphasizes community engagement, encouraging team involvement in events such as Salinas Pride, local rodeos, and airshows. At Wescom, he also helps track and expand financial wellness initiatives to measure community impact.

With a career spanning over 37 years, Hartman began as an hourly employee earning $4.10 per hour at a small bank in Indiana. He advanced to Vice President of Operations while completing his business degree, managing teams of up to 300 employees and multimillion-dollar budgets. He credits his success to opportunities for growth and is committed to creating similar pathways for others.

Through his work with the Workforce Development Board, Hartman aims to strengthen career pathways and workforce readiness in Monterey County. He is particularly focused on connecting individuals with opportunities while helping employers access skilled, motivated talent.

“Providing a path for development of others to success in their careers has been the highlight of my career,” Hartman said. “I want to help create those same opportunities for others while supporting local businesses with strong talent pipelines.”

When asked why he wished to serve on the Monterey County Workforce Development Board, Hartman noted, “I like making a difference in the lives of our residents and businesses within Monterey County. Providing skills and paths to successful employment is key to our community's success. As a hiring manager myself, finding exciting and qualified talent can be challenging and expensive. I enjoy working from personal life experiences with other board members to exceed the board's mission and vision.”

New Employment Numbers Released for Monterey County

In March 2026, Monterey County’s unemployment rate was 10.0%, which was lower than the revised rate of 10.8% in February 2026. It was also below the year-ago estimate of 10.8%.

During the same time period, California’s unemployment rate was 5.2%, while the national unemployment rate was 4.3%.

Job Seekers                

Are you ready to take the next step in your career journey? Attending a job fair is one of the most effective ways to connect with leading employers, discover new opportunities, and showcase your skills—all in one convenient place. No need to register in advance, we’ll capture your information at the door!

Employers  

Are you looking for a cost-effective way to meet motivated, qualified candidates? Participating in a job fair or hiring event allows you to engage with job seekers directly, promote your company, and fill your positions faster. Please register below to save your spot!

Level Up Your Job Search

Are you interested in polishing and updating your résumé? What about making career-ready lasting impressions? Or maybe you’d like to discover your potential through a customized customer discovery career path? Perhaps you’d like to learn how to navigate some of the biggest online job search platforms? Or make inroads with your networking game plan? 

Monterey County Works offers customized workshops for individual job seekers enrolled in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program. Follow the hyperlink to enroll and then contact our Welcome Desk at (831) 796-3335 to learn more about our workshops and how to register.