FloridaWorks News
Volume 3, Issue 21
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Gainesville Area Wins 2009 Region of Excellence Award
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Contact:
Janeen Smith
Communications Manager
FloridaWorks and Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce
352.334.7105
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The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for a Competitive
Workforce has awarded the greater Gainesville
area, including Alachua & Bradford Counties, the 2009 Region of Excellence
Award.
The partnerships between the Gainesville Area Chamber of
Commerce, Council for Economic Outreach, North Florida Regional Chamber of
Commerce and FloridaWorks were recognized for taking an innovative industry
approach to integrating multiple organizations that are committed to the
economic well-being of Alachua and Bradford
Counties.
Recent successes from this collaborative TEAM (Targeted
Economic Achievement Machine) have led to one of the lowest job loss rates of
any area in the state of Florida during this recession, more than 200 new jobs
generated in the height of the recession, one of the lowest unemployment rates
in the state and a community at the forefront of Green Technology,
Biotechnology and Health Sciences training.
"Businesses looking to grow or expand in our community can
find all the resources to meet their needs under one roof at the Chamber. We
have an advanced relationship with economic development and workforce that has
allowed us to put special emphasis on business recruitment and training needs
in order to keep our economy thriving," said Brent
Christensen, Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce president.
Criteria for the Region of Excellence award includes, but is
not limited to:
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A program dedicated to improving the delivery of
education and training at the Pre-K, K-12, postsecondary or adult workforce
levels.
- A partnership involving an education institution
dedicated to improving the bridge from education to employment.
- An advocacy campaign which has positively
influenced public policy
- An awareness campaign which has made a
significant impact on the public perception of an industry, its opportunities,
or the bridge from education to employment.
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Future TEAM plans include a three-pronged approach to create
a world class workforce. The elements of this strategy include: engaging the
business community in a plan to reduce costs due to poverty, crime prevention
and dropout rates, creating a new way of educating with industry leading program
design (i.e. internships, apprenticeships and mentoring) in addition to
traditional schooling and fostering entrepreneurship at the low end of the
socio-economic spectrum to incubate prosperity for those in poverty just as new
businesses are incubated to achieve VC funding.
The principals of the TEAM were supported by the visions of
Angela Pate, executive director of FloridaWorks.
"It is the belief that opportunity is every individual's
right that unites our TEAM of economic and workforce developers, educators,
government and our business community. Excellence must be envisioned before it
can be attained. Our goal is to be a community with innovation as our primary
product and export. The Region of Excellence award is recognition from the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce that we are succeeding," said Pate.
The TEAM was activated in 2005 and its value became evident
when FloridaWorks received $580,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
(ARRA) funds for a Summer Youth Program. Since that first award, they have
received an additional $1.5 million to train for Healthcare and Green Technology
industries. During the summer of 2009 FloridaWorks partnered with Santa Fe
College, The School Board of Alachua County, Florida Department of Juvenile
Justice, the Community Weatherization Coalition and Alachua County to target
and train area youth and develop curriculum to prepare them for future
in-demand jobs.
Through this program, at-risk youth were trained in solar
panel installation, digital media, green building practices and energy auditing.
This curriculum could not have been developed so quickly without all TEAM
partners in close collaboration.
"Our leadership has a level of trust that allows us to have
frank discussions on the issues that our employers, job seekers and students
face and develop the best strategic approach to address challenges and
opportunities utilizing our respective strengths and resources," said Jackson
Sasser, Santa Fe College president.
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Application for $30 Million Grant
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FloridaWorks Partners with Alachua County for $30 million Energy Grant
Alachua County and FloridaWorks will partner together, along with many
other community partners, to apply for a $30 million energy grant under
the U.S. Department of Energy's Retrofit Ramp-Up Program. The Gainesville Sun featured and article on November 27, 2009 that highlights the multi-agency partnerships for this grant. Please click here to access the article.
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Workshops and Assessments
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Take advantage of FREE workshops and assessments!
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) also known as Food Stamps
Customers that are ABAWD (Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents) need to complete an orientation process. To go to the AWI site, click here or Food Stamp Hotline here.
WIA Orientation
The WIA (Workforce Investment Act) orientation is now part of the One-Stop Orientation held at 9:00 am every Wednesday. Click here for program guidelines and answers to your questions. Click here for approved occupations and training providers in Florida.
The Agency for Workforce Innovation
AWI is Florida's lead state workforce agency and directly administers the state's Labor Market Statistics program, Unemployment Compensation, Early Learning and various workforce development programs. Click here for information.
Employ Florida Marketplace
Employ Florida Marketplace is Florida's state employment website. Job listings from across the state are listed here. Register on Employ Florida Marketplace to help you in your job search. Here is a step-by-step guide for job seekers to register online. www.employflorida.com is also where employers can post job openings as well. To fully register as a job seeker, click this link.
Success Skills Workshops
Free Success skills workshops offered through Partnerships for Strong Families. Click here for more information.
· Resume Writing
· Dress for Success
· Interviewing Skills
 Creating Opportunities through Networking New and Existing Companies with our region's Talent (CONNECT)
Please click here for details on this months
CONNECT meetings.
For
further information please contact:
JOBSEEKERS - Lisa
Thorne, Professional Services Coordinator (352)244-5156
EMPLOYERS - Joe Johnson,
Director of Business Services (352) 334-7105 ext. 311
Assessments Available at FloridaWorks One-Stop
Please click here to see the newest listing of assessments and workshops offered at the FloridaWorks One-Stop Center. Some of the program include: Success Prof.iler, Personal Responsibility, and Career Scope. Training on Microsoft Office programs available as well. All workshops and assessments offered at FloridaWorks are free of charge. You can also get your Ready to Work certification!
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Community Announcements and Resources
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Displaced Homemaker Program: Focus
on the Future
Empowerment
and Employability classes:
January 11 -
29th: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. M-F
At the
Santa Fe College NW campus
Free of
charge to eligible participants
Includes
basic computer skills instruction
Pre-registration
is required
Call: 352-395-5047 for more information or visit our website by clicking here.
National Safe Place - Txt4Help National Safe Place Launches New Safety Program "Txt 4
Help" to Get Immediate Help to Youth in Crisis
New program
will connect youth with a Safe Place via text message to
69866
Please visit www.FloridaWorksOnline.com to find more information on news, events, and resources.
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Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce
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Kim Tesch-Vaught,
FloridaWorks Business Service, Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce
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The Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce has four major focus areas: Chamber Services, the Council on Economic Development (CEO), the Gainesville Technology Enterprise Center (GTEC), and the FloridaWorks Business Services Team.
The Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, the area's largest and most dynamic business network since 1924, has one simple mission: make it easier for members to do business everyday.
CEO's charge is to assist existing businesses through expansion, to help grow new companies in our community and to attract new opportunities to Alachua County.
The Gainesville Technology Enterprise Center (GTEC) is a community program providing early stage technology startup companies with tools, training and infrastructure to help them grow and develop into financially viable technology enterprises.
The FloridaWorks Business Services team at the Chamber offers a variety of services to help you recruit, train and retain employees.
Please click here to view the GACC's most recent newsletter.
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North Florida Regional Chamber of Commerce
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Pam Whittle, FloridaWorks Business
Services, North Florida Regional Chamber of
Commerce Business Development
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The Chamber is in business to help businesses grow and prosper. Our challenge is to enhance the growth potential for new and existing businesses, to help create clean, well-paying jobs for our residents, and to provide networking opportunities to be used as a springboard for collaborations. The Chamber works with both cities and the county to create an environment conducive for business development and assistance is provided whenever appropriate.
Please click here to view the NFRCC's most recent newsletter.
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Volunteers and Interns
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Volunteers and Interns Needed!
FloridaWorks Needs Volunteers and Interns
Anyone interested in volunteering or doing an internship at FloridaWorks should contact Makaya McKnight, the Volunteer Coordinator, at 352-244-5118 or mmcknight@floridaworksonline.com
Positions are available in all areas of the organization. All majors are encouraged to apply if they are interested.
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FloridaWorks |
Gainesville -
4800 SW 13th Street (352) 955-2245
Starke -
809 So. Walnut Street (904) 964-8092
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Hello! You are receiving this email because you have chosen to receive The FloridaWorks Newsletter. This is a new format that we are excited to present. Please take the time to read through the newsletter, you may find some valuable information. Also, please feel free to contact us with any information you would like to add to our newsletter.
Thank you and enjoy!
FloridaWorks
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FloridaWorks
VISION:
Our community will have a world class workforce that meets the needs of business and provides opportunities for job seekers today and in the future. FloridaWorks' vision is externally focused, market-oriented and describes how we want to impact the world. This vision serves to clarify our direction and to assist our team and partners to understand how everyday actions can help us work toward achieving our ultimate goals.
MISSION:
Everybody Works. Growing business and jobs through a skilled workforce.
The mission statement serves as the anchoring point for our organization. It is from our mission that CORE VALUES, GOALS and STRATEGIES can be developed and implemented.
Our values define us and remind us of the key reasons we exist and help us to focus on what is important to us as individuals and as an organization.
We Value:
Customer Focus: We listen to our customers, respond quickly to their needs, and work with them to prepare for future requirements.
Effectiveness: We are focused on results and constantly seek ways to be more efficient.
Professionalism: We treat everyone with respect, courtesy, and personal attention.
Collaboration: We work together with a variety of partners to achieve our mission.
Inclusion: We believe that diversity makes us stronger and welcome those who challenge us to see things differently.
Integrity: Our commitment to always do the right thing guides our decisions every day.
Accountability: Each of us recognizes our responsibilities, and we use measures to show our success.
Innovation: We continually seek new solutions and better ways to do our jobs.
Leadership: We lead by example within our organization and throughout the community.
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