florida workforce newsletter, design by jannet walsh

7/25/2019 Florida Workforce Newsletter, Design by Jannet Walsh

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Florida Workforce Development Association 1

Flor ida Back To Work

FLORIDA WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION SPRING 2010

Economic Development Success

Floridas Regional Workforce BoardsDeliver Florida Back to Work Program

On December 17, 2009, Governor Crist announced Florida Back to Work (FBTW). In three weeks time,private employers, non-profit organizations and local governments across Florida responded to the Governorsannouncement and the promotion of FBTW by Floridas twenty-four regional workforce boards by submitting900 projects that will provide 10,000 jobs to unemployed Floridians. On Friday, January 15, local workforceboards submitted over $231 million in projects that will utilize the $200 million in federal stimulus funding thathas been reserved for Florida.

Certainly this outpouring of job opportunities is staggering and sorely welcome to the citizens in communitiesacross the state that will be employed through FBTW. The economic impact cannot be minimized. Floridasunemployment insurance (UI) trust funds have been depleted to such an extent by our record unemploymentthat the state is forced to borrow from the federal government at the same time it has raised unemploymenttaxes on business to record levels. If the jobs created bring 10,000 people off those unemployment rolls for sixmonths, the savings will be approximately $65 million. How much this will relieve the stressed UI fund isuncertain, but it certainly cannot be taken for granted.

On top of this impact to the UI trust fund, the multiplier effect of $200 million in wages paid throughout theState of Florida will inject new spending levels into our customer-driven economy. That injection will stabilizebusinesses and in some instances allow them to retain or even add employees.

What does this response say about Floridas ability to recover? It just lacks the initial financing to grow. That is

what FBTW is doing for Florida business-financing recoverys first steps. What could be accomplished ifadditional federal funds were available and a FBTW effort was funded and targeted only private businesses?

Congratulations to Governor Crist and the leadership of the Florida Legislature who have supportedthis concept.

Regional Snapshots

Bringing Jobs Home

ContactRusty Skinner, Association President of The Florida Workforce Development Association, at [email protected], foradditional information.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Region 1 - Workforce EscarosaIn Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, 21companies will create 316 jobs using federalstimulus dollars under the FBTW Program.The projects represent a combination of large

industries, government, non-profitorganizations and small businesses.

Hitachi Cable Florida, Inc. has submitted aproposal to create 157 positions at anaverage wage of $9.43. The company, basedin Pensacola, Florida manufactures andmarkets hydraulic brake hoses. The majorityof the jobs for this project will be assemblers.With many of the regions jobs tied to healthcare, tourism and telemarketing, this projectwill provide much needed manufacturing jobsfor the region.

The Escambia County Sheriffs Departmenthas proposed 10 positions for DetentionDeputies and Deputy Sheriffs. These non-sworn law enforcement positions, proposed atan average wage of $14.43 per hour, willprovide additional law enforcement protectionto the community, will provide employmentopportunities over a broad range of skill levelsand will introduce job seekers/newemployees to careers in criminal justice.Contact: www.workforceescarosa.com,

Susan Nelms at [email protected]

Region 2 - Workforce Development Boardof Okaloosa and Walton Counties

A blend of private sector, public sector, andnot-for-profit businesses are taking advantageof the FBTW Program. A total of 17businesses have listed 164 jobs from the low-skilled to the highly-skilled occupations to befilled by individuals who have been certifiedas eligible to participate in this program.Okaloosa School District is able to offer muchneeded additional help for each school from

janitorial to classroom help. A small businessin Walton County is expanding its customkitchen design and installation workforce inorder to be prepared with a trained andqualified workforce for the inevitable economyturn-around.Other private sector businesses are seekingindividuals who are willing to be trained bytheir own senior workforce in specific skills as

needed in their industry, as well as training inthe companys ethics and corporate culture.Not-for-profit organizations are takingadvantage of the FBTW Program to add staffin order to address the dramatic increase in

demand for their services. Other businessesand not-for-profits are hopeful their proposedPhase II projects will be approved forimplementation in the next quarter. Contact:www.jobsplusonestop.com, Mary Lou Reed [email protected]

Region 3 - Chipola Regional WorkforceDevelopment BoardThe Chipola Regional Workforce Development Boardhad a tremendous response to the FBTW Program,with employers from the public sector, non-profit aswell as the private sector participating. RichardWilliams, Executive Director of Chipola RegionalWorkforce Board, encourages those individuals whomay be qualified to come into the One Stop Centersto be qualified for the program. The positions thatare available range from entry level, to those thatrequire specialized skills and/or advanced degrees.

Ice River Springs Plant Manager T.J. East said thestimulus money will allow his company to add anentire shift of bottlers, five to seven people, who willwork the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift. The plant currentlyhas two shifts, running from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m., with

14 employees.

The workers will be put on full-time with benefitsimmediately, he said, as the jobs are intended aspermanent positions. The additional work shift willallow Ice River to increase the volume of bottledwater it provides existing clients. This is a greatopportunity for us and the community, East said. Itallows us to add employees sooner than wedplanned.

At Hopkins Pontiac GMC, general manager and co-owner Eddie Hopkins expects to hire two sales

trainees with the stimulus money. Although hes beenfrustrated by delays in the release of funds hehoped to have at least one on board by now hesgrateful for the opportunity.

Hopkins said he would not have been able to fill thepositions at all without the stimulus funds. Hopkinssaid he already has one potential employee in hissights, who will likely be put to work as soon as

Flor ida Back To WorkRegional SnapshotsBringing Jobs Home
mailto:[email protected]://www.workforceescarosa.com/http://www.jobsplusonestop.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.jobsplusonestop.com/http://www.jobsplusonestop.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.workforceescarosa.com/http://www.workforceescarosa.com/


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Flor ida Back To WorkRegional Snapshots(Region 3 - Continued)he qualifies through the workforce board, and is lookingfor another.

Green Circle Bio-Energy Manager and Vice PresidentGreg Martin noted his company applied for a total of 10positions through the federal stimulus package. Thesewould be both production and maintenance jobs, Martinstated.

Jackson County Clerk of Court Dale Rabon Guthrie is inline for two employees, and can hardly wait until themoney is in hand. She has two positions she wants tofill. One would work with the finance department in thecounty annex on her behalf, and one would work in thecourthouse in traffic, circuit civil court, or other divisions.Shes been waiting two years to fill thejobs.

It is a huge deal, Guthrie said. I dont have any money,because of the cuts at the state level, and being able tohire these at a fraction of the cost is really going to be arelief for me. Guthrie doesnt know if shell be able tokeep the new employees permanently. As a public entity,she has the option of making the jobs temporary. Shesaid her decision will depend on what happens with herbudget this year.

In Grand Ridge, City Manager J.R. Moneyham said theCity will hire three employees, some or all of whom couldbecome permanent. Hes looking for a maintenance

employee, a heavy-equipment operator and a water/wastewater system operator.

The stimulus money will allow Grand Ridge to hire anoperator before the construction of its first-everwastewater plant is completed. Moneyham said this willbe to everyones advantage, allowing the employee anintimate look at the system from the ground up.

If the worker has any free time during the systemsconstruction, they will perform other duties while theproject is finished up. Contact: www.onestopahead.com,Kenny Griffin at [email protected]

Region 4 Gulf Coast Workforce Board(GCWB)In Bay, Gulf and Franklin Counties the GCWBhas proposed 20 positions with non-profitorganizations and county governments. TheGCWB itself will also employ workers under theproject as case manager assistants and amonitoring assistant.

We recognize the difficult situation our non-profitpartners find themselves in: great need forassistance from the public and a choice betweenhiring staff and investing those dollars in moreservices. Through FBTW we help make thatdecision a non-issue for example, Goodwill willhave a Job Coach and the Panama City RescueMission will have two Intake Workers and aVolunteer Coordinator.

Gulf Coast Community College suffered budgetcuts that eliminated a service to help workersgain English proficiency when its ESOL programwas nearly gutted, due to budget cuts. FBTW willstaff that program with a lab manager and twoteaching assistants.

Franklin Countys maintenance division is gainingthree new workers and the economicdevelopment entities in Bay and GulfCounties will benefit from the addition of FBTWfunded office workers. Hourly wages range from$9.00 per hour to $16.00 per hour. Contact:www.workforcecenter.org, Kim Bodine [email protected]

Region 5 - Workforce Plus

Pending approval of submitted applications.Contact: www.wfplus.org, Kimberly A. Moore [email protected]

Region6- North Florida Workforce

North Florida Workforce (Workforce) has 18employers committed to providing jobs throughFBTW Program in its six-county region,encompassing Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette,Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor Counties.These 18 projects togetherhave committed toproviding over 250 new positionsto this entirelyrural region, equaling just over $4 million insubsidies. Employers vary from government tomanufacturing and cover the entire region.

Poppas Dog House, a hotdog restaurant, andDelta Land Surveyors, both in Monticello

(Jefferson County) are taking advantage of theFBTW opportunity. Workforce held a recruitingevent in Monticello to specifically assist theseemployers attract qualified applicants. The fairwas held on March 31 and both employers werepleased with the quality of applicants referred.More recruiting events are anticipated asemployers with multiple positions become readyto hire.

Bringing Jobs Home
mailto:[email protected]://www.onestopahead.com/http://www.onestopahead.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.wfplus.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.workforcecenter.org/http://www.workforcecenter.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.wfplus.org/http://www.wfplus.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.workforcecenter.org/http://www.workforcecenter.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.onestopahead.com/http://www.onestopahead.com/


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Flor ida Back To WorkRegional Snapshots(Region 6 - Continued)Nearly 200 program-eligible applicants havebeen referred to FBTW positionsthrough the end of mid-April, at which time the

positions had only been posted for a month.Twenty placements have been made, all successstories in their own right.

Workforce looks forward to posting morepositions for Round 1 employers as they expandin the coming months. Workforce will submit anumber of projects for Round 2, as there was awaiting list developed as employers called inafter the submittal deadline for the first round.Contact: www.nfworkforce.org, Diane Head [email protected]

Region 7 - Florida Crown Workforce BoardFlorida Crown is working with the Lake CityHumane Society, a non-profit organization inbusiness since 1963. They accept unwantedpets and strays and find new homes for cats,dogs, and small pets such as rabbits and gerbils,generally serving 20-45 animals at a time.Training classes are offered to the public on thecare of animals, nutritional education, dogobedience, and dog groomer training. Dogs arealso trained as seeing-eye dogs for the VeteransProgram. The Humane Societys sole means offunding comes from private donations. The

economic downtown has severely affected thefinancial donations received while increasing thenumber of animals dropped off by families nolonger able to afford them. With the FBTW, theHumane Society will be able to expand their staffto assist with the abundance of animals comingin daily and will help with obtaining new adoptivefamilies for them.

Florida Crown is working with ConceptConstruction, the preferred builder for DollarGeneral. Dollar General is looking at building anadditional 12 stores this year. CrawfordConstruction defines themselves fromotherconstruction businesses because of the Design-Build concept they use. The DesignBuildconcept begins with the client meeting thearchitects and proceeding through 8 other stepsbefore the actual building takes place to ensurethe client understands the product. This is alocally-owned business looking to expand.

Crawford currently employs approximately 20people; with assistance from Florida Crown andthe FBTW Program, they will be able to expandthe staff by 7 employees. Concept Construction

is looking to expand so they will be able to trainemployees to do the jobs that they wouldnormally have to contract out to otherbusinesses. Contact: www.floridacrown.org,John Chastain [email protected]

Region 8 - WorkSourceWorkSource currently has 16 projects creatingover 90 jobs throughout the region. Allied Plastics(12 jobs), the Florida Department of Children andFamilies (24 jobs) and AlliedBarton SecurityServices, (10 jobs) are a few examples of ourpartners success with the FBTW Program.

Contact: www.worksourcefl.com, Candace Moodyat [email protected]

Region 9 - FloridaWorksIn Round 1, in Alachua and Bradford Counties,62 employers (36 for profit, 26 public and non-profit) created 654 positions for over $18 millionin total project costs. Alachua and Bradfordcounty governments created 167 positions.Bradford County School Board created 37positions and Santa Fe College created 31.Building contractors, biotech firms, tech startupsincluding robotics and media companies, a

medical device company, a concrete pre-caster,an airplane manufacturer, property developersand property management companies proposedhundreds of other new jobs at all pay ranges,some now even able to pay the difference aboveprogram limits to create higher salary positions,one engineer at six figures.

FloridaWorks and local non-profits, in partnershipwith Alachua County, Santa Fe College, privateconstruction contractors and four local banks,proposed two dozen adult jobs to train youth inenergy auditing technician and weatherizationtechnician training and positions to work in ourcommunitys 10,000 home weatherizationproject. This project will reduce energyconsumption, lower electric bills for low incomepeople and create market demand for qualifiedhomeowners to receive loans to cost effectivelyweatherize their homes, creating more jobs.These projects target students known to be at

Bringing Jobs Home
mailto:[email protected]://www.nfworkforce.org/mailto:[email protected]://www.worksourcefl.com/mailto:[email protected]://www.floridacrown.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.worksourcefl.com/http://www.worksourcefl.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.floridacrown.org/http://www.floridacrown.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.nfworkforce.org/http://www.nfworkforce.org/


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Flor ida Back To WorkRegional Snapshots(Region 9 - Continued)risk of dropping out and juvenile justice kids,showing zero recidivism to-date from last yearspilot projects.

In Round 2 we have submitted 9 employers sofar and are in the process of creating more jobsin our targeted areas of health sciences, biotech,environmental technologies and technicaltraining across all existing industries. Wecontinue to work within the local Collaboratorydefined by our community leaders, educatorsand economic developers, to not only hastenrecovery, but also build a new economy. Thisprogram is the catalyst we need to jump startthis transformational community effort while alsohelping families stay in their homes and get backto work. Contact:www.FloridaWorksOnline.com, Kim Tesch-Vaught at [email protected]

Region 10 Workforce ConnectionThe Marion County Health Department, servinga population of approximately 330,000 people,with a majority of residents living inunincorporated areas in a county compared toslightly larger than that of Rhode Island. Marionis known for rolling countryside of horse farms,with growing medical needs, including theexpanding sector of the unemployed with few or

no health benefits.A growing population of approximately 33,000Spanish-speaking residents, clinic aids areneeded to help with translating fluently inSpanish and English in all the clinics. Positionsfor four fluent Spanish and English interpreters,two receptionists, eight clerk specialists and fourLicensed Practical Nurses has been proposedfor the FBTW Program to accommodate thecountys demanding clinical needs.

Steel Structures of Florida, of Inverness, is

located in a city known for the HistoricCourthouse scenes of Elvis Presleys movie,Follow That Dream in 1961. Steel Structures ofFlorida has constructed over 300 homes inMarion and Citrus Counties since 1993. Aproposal for the subsidized work programincludes a master carpenter, a carpentershelper and a sales and marketing position toexpand their corporate capabilities.

The steel building materials, designed towithstand winds of 150 mph, offer high strengthto weight ratio for residential home framingmaterials, with high-strength for zones subject tonatural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes,

and earthquakes.

Steel for building is made from 100 percentrecycled materials, making it a green orenvironmentally-friendly material. An average of2,000 square foot home uses 50-60 old growthtrees, while the same home built with steel uses6 scrapped cars, according towww.steelstructuresofflorida.com. Contact:www.clmworkforce.com, Rusty Skinner [email protected]

Region 11 - The Center for BusinessExcellenceThe Center for Business Excellence is currentlyengaged in a project aimed at assisting businesseshire new workers. The Subsidized TemporaryEmployment Program (STEP) our regions versionof the FBTW Program, can cover 80 percent of thewages of new employees. Jobs must be full-time,30 to 40 hours, and pay, in accordance with federalminimum wage, up to $40,000 per year. This subsidwill cover up to 40 hours per week for a three-monttimeframe. Employees must meet certain programcriteria.

To-date, there are 17 participating organizations inVolusia and Flagler Counties. These organizationsare very diverse; ranging from non-profits tomanufacturers. Each one has expressed an interesand a commitment to permanently retain all hiredemployees. We estimate the creation of 300 new

jobs for the region at a cost of $2.5 million. Theoccupations range from office assistants andtechnicians to directors, and many others.

National Direct Response is one of the 17businesses interested in using the STEP

Program. They plan to hire 50 telephone servicerepresentatives. Each person will be paid $10an hour. The STEP Program comesat a perfect time for National Direct Response asthey are on the verge of growing their business.Contact: www.centerforbusinessexcellence.net,Lou Paris at [email protected]

Bringing Jobs Home
mailto:[email protected]://www.floridaworksonline.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.centerforbusinessexcellence.net/mailto:[email protected]://www.clmworkforce.com/http://www.steelstructuresofflorida.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.centerforbusinessexcellence.net/http://www.centerforbusinessexcellence.net/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.clmworkforce.com/http://www.clmworkforce.com/http://www.steelstructuresofflorida.com/http://www.steelstructuresofflorida.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.floridaworksonline.com/http://www.floridaworksonline.com/


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Flor ida Back To WorkRegional SnapshotsRegion 12 Workforce Central FloridaIn the Workforce Central Florida Region, 31companies will create 145 jobs under the FBTWProgram. Sample companies and positionsinclude: Captive Digital, a company that

develops multimedia resources such as radiocommercials, podcasts, websites,electronicnewsletters and T-shirt design, will provide two

jobs with the average hourly wage of $19.50.The first position is an audio and visual mediaand marketing technician that will help withproject acquisition, implementation, supervision,planning, negotiation, marketing, social mediamanagement and event planning. The second isan audio engineer technician which will record,edit, and mix an array of audio projects.

An organization that empowers Central Floridianswith disabilities, Quest, Inc., will hire 30 peopleunder the program with an average hourly wageof $9.67. Positions include nine job coaches toprovide on-site job training, 18 direct supportprofessionals who will provide care andassistance, two activity directors to support andencourage personal outcomes and one projectsearch coordinator to provide leadership andsupervision.

Florida Pediatric Therapy, a company thatprovides occupational, physical and speech-

language evaluation and treatment for children, ishiring for five positions with an average hourlywage of $12.40. The first position is areceptionist to answer and direct phones andprocess referrals and new patients. The secondand third are a medical billing/insurance codingspecialist and a medical billing/insuranceassistant which will obtain authorizations, code,submit and track insurance and other paymentservices. Florida Pediatric Therapy is also hiringtwo early intervention/infant toddlerdevelopmental specialists to become a Medicaidprovider of early intervention services for

children.

A full-service broadcast television company,Velocity Films, will hire two people with anaverage hourly wage of $18.50. Positionsinclude an administrative/executive assistant whowill screen calls, arrange meetings and preparereports, and a digital arts/editor/camera operator/sound mixer who will ensure that acoustics and

sound recordings, playback and editingequipment is functioning properly during a shoot.Contact: www.WorkforceCentralFlorida.com,Gary J. Earl at [email protected]

Region 13 Brevard WorkforceAs of April 2010, the FBTW Program had created351 jobs in Brevard County. By July 2010, thatnumber is expected to reach approximately 600.

Brevard Workforce has secured contracts with 25employers, including non-profit organizations aswell as a handful of private companiesthroughout the county.

Telecom Service Center, which operates acustomer service in-bound call center inRockledge, had hired 298 employees as of April1, 2010 and plans to hire an additional 200 byJuly 2010. The employees earn between $9 and$12 an hour. The company was consideringoperating overseas but was attracted to BrevardCounty specifically because of the availableFBTW Program funds.

Additionally, the owner of the center says he fullyexpects to retain the employees once theprogram ends in September 2010. Furtherpositively impacting Brevards economy, TelecomService Center has also hired 16 employeesoutside of the program, including foursupervisors, four managers, two human

resources professionals, three security guards,two maintenance workers and one director.

The Indialantic-based technology productioncompany Complete Inspection Systems, Inc. hashired six employees through the program, withhourly wages ranging from $13 - $17. Thepositions include an administrative assistant,sales assistant and computer technician.

Blue Tangerine Solutions, Inc., a websitedevelopment and network support companybased in Melbourne, has hired a technician,administrative assistant and a junior web

designer, each earning an hourly wage of $11.United Way of Brevard used program funds tohire six employees two childhood successinitiative coordinators and four community impactcoordinators, who are now all earning an hourlywage of $15.40. The Womens Center, based inMelbourne, hired eight new employees throughthe program, with hourly wages ranging from $10to $22.

Bringing Jobs Home
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.workforcecentralflorida.com/http://www.workforcecentralflorida.com/


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Flor ida Back To WorkRegional Snapshots(Region 13 - Continued)These positions included a transitional housingprogramdirector, victim advocate, life skillseducator and administrative assistant. Contact:www.brevardjoblink.org, Joan Van Scyoc at

[email protected]

Region 14 - WorkNet PinellasBayCare is a community-based health caresystem founded in 1997 and located in PinellasCounty. Through 11 hospitals, several imagingcenters and other regional services BayCareemploys over 18,000 people and offers a widerange of healthcare services and programs to itspatients.

The company has partnered with organizationsin West Central Florida to ensure that thestandard level of service that they strive toprovide at every opportunity is met. Thecommunity benefits from these partnerships as itreceives compassionate and high-qualityservices.

Baycare is partnering with Worknet Pinellas to fill586 positions through the FBTW Program. Theopportunity for job seekers to obtain employmentincreases at all levels, from entry-level to thelicensed professional. The project will result in adecrease in unemployment and an increase in

our skilled healthcare workforce.

The organization is concerned about the welfareof the community and supports many localworkforce initiatives. Extensys, Inc. wasestablished in 2002, in Pinellas County Florida.The company is a local IT consulting businesswith local, national and international customers.Extensys, Inc has grown 15 percent every yearsince opening its doors. In 2008, Extensys, Inc.partnered with IntelleMed, a local softwarecompany, to create MDIntelleSys, LLC, acompany dedicated to surgical specialty

Electronic Medical Records (EMR). Thecompanys focus has been on ophthalmologyEMR. The merging of the companies has provento be a success with fifteen new medicalpractices signing up for the software in the last 3months of 2009. Major university hospitals suchas Queens University are looking at the solutionto buy and discussions with Yale University andthe University of South Florida are ongoing.

Extensys, Inc. is expecting rapid continuinggrowth to continue in 2010.The organization needs the support of a programsuch as the FBTW Program to enable them toreach their organizational goals of continuedgrowth in EMR and to staff several pendingcabling projects.

The EMR and cable projects would create 12positions in the field of Information technology inthe capacities of sales representative,ophthalmology technician, senior programmer,installation/integration technician, cable installer,wiring manager and lead wiring Technician.Contact: www.worknetpinellas.org, MahaliaGuichard at [email protected]

Region 15 Tampa Bay WorkForce AllianceThe Epilepsy Services of West Central Florida iscommitted to promoting health and facilitatinghealthy lifestyle choices for persons with seizuredisorders and their families living in West CentralFlorida. The Epilepsy Services of West CentralFlorida promotes community and individualresponsibility to attain quality of life. Its purposeis to decrease the number of persons withuncontrolled seizures, emotional challenges andproblems and unemployment or under-employment by supporting and enhancing

community-based health and social programs inWest Central Florida.

By providing current information about epilepsy,and how to prevent it, the Epilepsy Services ofWest Central Florida helps people learn aboutseizures and the social issues that go along withhaving a seizure disorder. The organization isseeking funding for two positions, a LicensedMental Health Counselor and an event fundraiserplanner through the FBTW Program. TheLicensed Mental Health Counselor will providefamilies with the skills to cope with the emotional,

social, family and personal challenges andproblems facing them. The event fundraiserplanner will help to generate additional financialcommitments from thecommunity throughtargeted events. These positions will helpEpilepsy Services of West Central Florida furthertheir mission and help to ensure that participantsare better prepared to work with persons withepilepsy and have a more positive attitude aboutepilepsy.

Bringing Jobs Home
mailto:[email protected]://www.worknetpinellas.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.worknetpinellas.org/http://www.worknetpinellas.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.brevardjoblink.org/http://www.brevardjoblink.org/


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Flor ida Back To WorkRegional Snapshots(Region 15 - Continued)Private Sector - 3D Eyewear is a full serviceVision Center. 3D Eyewears vision is to be ableto provide affordable services to the community.The services provided are vision screenings,frames, and lenses assessments. They offervision screenings at various schools and healthfairs throughout Hillsborough County. Throughthe FBTW Program, 3D Eyewear is expanding itsoptical business, thereby, creating eight newpositions. Their new positions include twolicensed opticians, two retail salespersons, twolab technicians, and two secretarial positions.The new positions will help support thecommunity by participating in numerous healthscreening and health fairs. Contact:www.workforcetampa.comCarol Brinkley at

[email protected] 16 - The Pasco Hernando Workforce(PHWB)The Pasco Hernando Workforce Boards ARC ofthe Nature Coast FBTW Project answers theneeds of employment seekers, thedevelopmentally disabled and an integral non-profit agency in our community. The ARC of theNature Coast is building a community center andhurricane shelter for those with severedisabilities. FBTW eases some of the projectscost by allowing the ARC to hire a Capital

Campaign Coordinator and four constructionworkers. The shelter represents a positivechange for a group often overlooked in disasterplanning, and in PHWBs region any projectgenerating employment in construction is greatlywelcome.The Main Street Landing is a FBTW Projectcombining residential/apartment constructionand marketing of the complex. The project willrevitalize a waterfront downtown area inNewPort Richey and create an urban center withpicturesque Pithlachascottee River as its

backdrop. The project employs four constructionworkers and a web designer in permanentemployment. The Main Street staff workedclosely with PHWB staff to quickly develop theproject and initiate recruitment efforts in order tofind the right people and get them to work.Contact: www.careercentral.jobs, Dave Hamiltonat [email protected]

Region 17 - Polk WorksIn Polk County, The FBTW Program will provideup to $5.1 million in Federal funding for jobs inRegion 17. When coupled with employercontributions of 5 percent, the total economicimpact will exceed $6.3 million. Thirty-two PolkCounty employers are in line to participate in theFBTW initiative, creating 250 jobs. Eligible jobseekers can qualify for positions ranging from

Assistant Network Administrator to ConstructionField Supervisors to RN/LPN positions toHousekeeper positions. Employers haverequested an average of $160,000/per employerin wage and benefits assistance. Hourly wageswill range from $8.00 to $32.00 per hour.

A variety of industries are represented in this

round of the FBTW initiative. The combinedprojects consist of for-profit entities as well asnon-profit and governmental enterprises. Thelargest project request, $1.1 million, has comefrom Central Florida Health Care, Inc. CentralFlorida Health offers a wide range of health careservices from a community health centerenvironment FBTW initiative will allow CentralFlorida Health Care to expand theirservices to underserved areas in the community.It is expected that 37 jobs will be filled as aresult. Polk County is ranked #1 in the State forcitrus production. Floridas Natural Growers,

located in Lake Wales, and Juice Bowl Products,located in Lakeland, have requested a combined$676,000 to create 35 positions. Integrated MetalProducts, Inc. offers a comprehensive range ofmetal products, machining and processing,welding, manufacturing and fabrication services.This company expects to utilize $507,000 inFBTW funding to create 20 full-time positions, atan average hourly wage of $14.00/hour.

The FBTW initiative is expected to provide amuch needed boost to Polk Countys diverseeconomy. Contact: www.polkworks.org, Nancy

Vaughan at [email protected]

Bringing Jobs Home
mailto:[email protected]://www.careercentral.jobs/mailto:[email protected]://www.workforcetampa.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.polkworks.org/http://www.polkworks.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.careercentral.jobs/http://www.careercentral.jobs/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.workforcetampa.com/http://www.workforcetampa.com/


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Flor ida Back To WorkRegional SnapshotsRegion 18 - Suncoast Workforce BoardTRC Staffing Services, Inc. (Tampa-Sarasota)is a full-service staffing solutions provider withover 14 years of industry experience thatincludes a Bradenton office which servesManatee and Sarasota counties. As perindustry experts, the recent economicdownturn has adversely affected the staffingservice organizations. The FBTW stimulusincentive for businesses will allow TRCStaffing Services, Inc to increase staff by onesalary-based outside sales representativeand build sales thus leveraging a win for area

job seekers and employers.

Smarty Pants Pre-School, LLC. is a ManateeCounty business committed to maintaining

superior policies and procedures and a state-of-the-art learning environment, whichincludes appropriate student to staff-ratio,staff training, and staff credentials. TheFBTW funding will allow Smarty Pants Pre-School to increase their professional teachingstaff by adding three new positions, assist inkeeping their pledge to raise the bar in earlychildhood education, and attract and keepqualified childcare professionals. Contact:www.swdb.org, Nancy Kouayara [email protected]

Region19 - HeartlandWorkforceOur present economic climate has provenespecially difficult for small, rural townshipssuch as Zolfo Springs which has anestimated population of 1,705. Locatedwithin rural Hardee County, the small townhas a long history of fighting to overcomeadversity and economic woes. The FBTWProgram has enabled the town governmentto apply for 5 full-time positions ranging froma customer service/accounting/utility clerk towater/wastewater personnel. Skill sets rangefrom general clerical and accounting to water/

wastewater equipment maintenance. TheTown is committed to retaining the employeesafter the subsidization period.

Private businesses, such as PromiseTechnologies/Anderson Arms, are alsofeeling the sting of our economic duressmaking expansion difficult or nonexistent.The FBTW Program will provide this

company with the financial boost they need tohire four new employees to expand theirexisting manufacturing business. Skillsinclude the ability to work in an assembly lineenvironment and to operate hand and/orautomatic loading machines.Contact: www.heartland-workforce.org, AnnMartin at [email protected]

Region 20 - Workforce SolutionsIn Martin, St. Lucie, Okeechobee and IndianRiver Counties, 145 businesses havepledged 850 positions for Round 1 of theFBTW Program for over $16 million in totalproject costs. Approximately seventy percentor 98 of the businesses are private for profitcompanies. The jobs created represent

various industries including but not limited tohealthcare, construction, computertechnology, hospitality, manufacturing, marineand internet service solutions.

OcuCue LLC, is a computer software sellerthat has a global license to sell its Internet-networking software. The company wasgranted by Indian River County a total of$131,000 for job creation and is bringing 25high skill high wage jobs to the county.Through the FBTW Program, OcuCue willcreate 5 additional positions for a total payrollof $158,340.00.

Aero Shade Technologies, Inc. is amanufacturer of aircraft parts, specifically theshades for the windows in airplanes. Thisbusiness has recently relocated to St. LucieCounty and is expanding. Aero ShadeTechnologies is creating 9 additionalpositions through the FBTW Program for atotal payroll of $160,108.00.

Helping People Succeed, Inc. (HPS), is anon-profit agency that provides unique andvaluable services that lead to improvedquality of life and independence forindividuals with disabilities throughcommunity-based employment, educationand training for citizens of Martin, St. Lucie,Indian River, and Okeechobee counties.Through the FBTW Program, HPS will create4 positions for a total payroll cost of$24,360.00.

Bringing Jobs Home
http://www.swdb.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.heartland-workforce.org/http://www.heartland-workforce.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.swdb.org/http://www.swdb.org/


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Flor ida Back To WorkRegional Snapshots(Region 20 - Continued)For Round 2, Workforce Solutions has submitted37 employers, creating 205 jobs for $1 million intotal project costs. Thirty of the employers areprivate, for-profit employers. Contact:

www.yourworkforcesolutions.com, GwendaThompson at [email protected]

Region 21 Workforce AllianceThe employers of Palm Beach County haveresponded in a prompt and enthusiastic mannerto Workforce Alliances announcement andinvitation to the business community toparticipate in the FBTW Program. Seventyemployers have requested FBTW funding forover 656 jobs, ranging from entry-level tomanagerial and engineering positions.

The potential funding for FBTW throughWorkforce Alliance amounts to $27.2 million, andcoupled with employer contributions to payrollcosts brings the total potential impact of the new

jobs in Palm Beach County to approximately $35million.

The emphasis for the Workforce Alliance staffturns during the month of April to the continuedrecruiting of eligible applicants for referrals to the70 employers. The three Workforce AllianceCareer Centers are conducting daily orientations

to job-seeking applicants. Each session isfollowed by verification of eligibility of eachapplicant, followed by a resume review and skillassessment.

The prospective job sites include businesses,non-profits and municipalities located throughoutthe county, and represent a cross-section ofdifferent occupational and career fields for thepotential employees, thus giving job-seekers avariety of opportunities.

A sampling of the opportunities include thefollowing: Belcan Corporation, an engineering

firm, has submitted a request to fill such positionsas inventory technician, financial accountant,material planner and executive administrativeassistant. Hospice of Palm Beach County isseeking certified nurse assistants, a therapist anda patient services technician. Sign manufacturer,Sign*A*Rama, is seeking an accountrepresentative/graphic designer, a maintenancecoordinator, receptionist/ customer serviceperson, a warehousemanager and a junior staff

account. Sancilio and Company, a manufacturerof pharmaceuticals is seeking a machinemaintenance/operator, a website developer, aquality assurance assistant and a tablet pressoperator.

The numerous job positions being offered presenteligible Palm Beach County job-seekers a greatdeal of hope and optimism since the employershave indicated that many of the jobs will lead topermanent positions following the conclusion ofthe federal funding of the FBTW Program in thefall. Contact: www.pbcalliance.com, KathrynSchmidt at [email protected]

Region 22 - WorkForce One EmploymentSolutions (WF1)In Broward County, 83 employers will be creating891 jobs as a result of the FBTW Program. Theprojects represent various industries including butnot limited to education, construction, healthcare,sales, hospitality, IT, telecommunications, marineand manufacturing.

Corropack Containers Corporation submitted aproject for 23 jobs in the areas of assemblers,business sales and office assistance. With theadditional staff they would be able increase theamount of contracts therefore increasing theirproductivity. From stock cardboard to custom-

designed retail packaging and thermo-formedtrays, Corropack Containers Corporation deliverson-time, quality products at competitive prices.Their suppliers include national-brand retaildesign studios and printers with top-qualitypresses. As part of their operation, they offerfulfillment and warehouse capabilities. CorropackContainers Corporation is a family-run businesswith over 40 years experience in the packagingand commodity management industries. Two oftheir main customers are Motorola and GoyaFoods.

Synergy Labs submitted a project for 43 jobs,representing quality control inspectors, packageline operators, chemical pre-weighers, chemicalblenders, order pullers, inventory manager,shipper manager, line mechanics, and facilitymechanics. They have over 43 years ofcombined executive experience in the veterinaryand pet product industry, compounded by a

Bringing Jobs Home
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.pbcalliance.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.pbcalliance.com/http://www.pbcalliance.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.yourworkforcesolutions.com/http://www.yourworkforcesolutions.com/


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Flor ida Back To WorkRegional Snapshots(Region 22 - Continued)sincere mission to create and produce the finestproducts available. SynergyLabs is proud tointroduce cutting-edge products and compellingpackage design. The company is planning touse the employees under the FBTW Program toexpand their operations to include a secondshift.

The Museum of Discovery and Sciencesubmitted a project for 7 exhibit and IMAXassociates and summer program educators.With additional staff the museum would be ableto offer more educational programs to the youthin Broward County. The museum is a non-profitorganization whose mission is to provideexperiential pathways to lifelong learning in

science for children and adults through exhibits,programs and films. They have over 200exhibits for adults and children to explore.Contact: www.wf1broward.com, Melanie R.Magill at [email protected]

Region 23 - South Florida Workforce BoardContact: www.southfloridaworkforce.com,Roderick Beasley [email protected]

Region 24 - Career and Service Centers ofSouthwest FloridaContact: www.careerandservicecenter.org,Joseph Paterno at [email protected]

Bringing Jobs Home

Flor ida Back To Work


Regional Snapshots

Bringing Jobs HomeFlor ida Back To Work

Regional Snapshots

Bringing Jobs Home

Contact Rusty Skinner, Association President of The Florida Workforce Development Association,at [email protected], for additional information. To receive a copy by email, contactJannet Walsh [email protected].
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.careerandservicecenter.org/http://www.careerandservicecenter.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.southfloridaworkforce.com/http://www.southfloridaworkforce.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.wf1broward.com/http://www.wf1broward.com/


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Map Source:www.workforceflorida.com


Florida RegionalWorkforce Boards

Region 1- Workforce Escarosa, www.workforceescarosa.comRegion 2- Workforce Development Board of Okaloosa and Walton Counties,

www.jobsplusonestop.comRegion 3- Chipola Regional Workforce Development Board, www.onestopahead.comRegion 4- Gulf Coast Workforce Board, www.workforcecenter.orgRegion 5- Workforce Plus, www.wfplus.orgRegion 6- North Florida Workforce, www.nfworkforce.orgRegion 7 - Florida Crown Workforce Board, www.floridacrown.orgRegion 8 -WorkSource, www.worksourcefl.comRegion 9- FloridaWorks, www.FloridaWorksOnline.comRegion 10- Workforce Connection, www.clmworkforce.comRegion 11- The Center for Business Excellence, www.centerforbusinessexcellence.netRegion 12- Workforce Central Florida, www.WorkforceCentralFlorida.comRegion 13- Brevard Workforce, www.brevardjoblink.orgRegion 14- WorkNet Pinellas, www.worknetpinellas.org

Region 15 -Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance, www.workforcetampa.comRegion 16 - The Pasco Hernando Workforce, www.careercentral.jobsRegion 17- Polk Works, www.polkworks.orgRegion 18- Suncoast Workforce Board, www.swdb.orgRegion 19- Heartland Workforce, www.heartland-workforce.orgRegion 20- Workforce Solutions, www.yourworkforcesolutions.comRegion 21- Workforce Alliance, www.pbcalliance.comRegion 22- WorkForce One Employment Solutions, www.wf1broward.comRegion 23- South Florida Workforce Board, www.southfloridaworkforce.comRegion 24 - Career and Service Centers of Southwest Florida, www.careerandservicecenter.org
http://www.workforceflorida.com/http://www.careerandservicecenter.org/http://www.careerandservicecenter.org/http://www.southfloridaworkforce.com/http://www.southfloridaworkforce.com/http://www.wf1broward.com/http://www.wf1broward.com/http://www.pbcalliance.com/http://www.pbcalliance.com/http://www.yourworkforcesolutions.com/http://www.yourworkforcesolutions.com/http://www.heartland-workforce.org/http://www.heartland-workforce.org/http://www.swdb.org/http://www.swdb.org/http://www.polkworks.org/http://www.polkworks.org/http://www.careercentral.jobs/http://www.careercentral.jobs/http://www.workforcetampa.com/http://www.workforcetampa.com/http://www.worknetpinellas.org/http://www.worknetpinellas.org/http://www.brevardjoblink.org/http://www.brevardjoblink.org/http://www.workforcecentralflorida.com/http://www.workforcecentralflorida.com/http://www.centerforbusinessexcellence.net/http://www.centerforbusinessexcellence.net/http://www.clmworkforce.com/http://www.clmworkforce.com/http://www.floridaworksonline.com/http://www.floridaworksonline.com/http://www.worksourcefl.com/http://www.worksourcefl.com/http://www.floridacrown.org/http://www.floridacrown.org/http://www.nfworkforce.org/http://www.nfworkforce.org/http://www.wfplus.org/http://www.wfplus.org/http://www.workforcecenter.org/http://www.workforcecenter.org/http://www.onestopahead.com/http://www.onestopahead.com/http://www.jobsplusonestop.com/http://www.jobsplusonestop.com/http://www.workforceescarosa.com/http://www.workforceescarosa.com/http://www.workforceflorida.com/http://www.workforceflorida.com/

florida workforce newsletter, design by jannet walsh

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