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Greetings!
"Gosh, I didn't know that was made here in our area." I bet there are many things that people don't realize are made in our three-county area - or that can be made here.
The Marion Regional Manufacturers Association(MRMA) is holding a "vendor fair" on Thursday, Aug. 11 at the Klein Conference Center on the College of Central Florida's Ocala campus. We all talk about "buy local" and this is an excellent time for manufacturing and manufacturing-related businesses to promote their abilities and their products. It is also a time for other businesses, private sector and governmental, to see what is made here and to talk with the various manufacturing firms to see if they can make something you need.
One of the best ways to grow our economy is to support local businesses. New orders and new products mean jobs for local residents. Several months ago an official with one of the cities remarked that they bought recycle bins out of state. He wondered if someone local could make them.
Too often we don't think of all the manufacturing capacity that we have. This capacity ranges from a small one-person business that welds to larger manufacturers such as Winco or Signature Brands that sell their products far and wide.
The MRMA Vendor Fair offers area manufacturing businesses the opportunity to promote themselves locally and to see if other firms have capacity that they can use and save money.
Rusty Skinner, CEO
Workforce Connection |
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Spotlight on Employer Successes
Love's Travel Stops feels the love for Workforce 
Dan Bianchini was no stranger to the challenge: new to the area, he was charged with opening Marion County's first Love's Travel Stop. Ocala is Bianchini's fourth location since joining the company in 2008.
As general manager of the new store, Bianchini arrived two months before the travel center was slated to open - in other words, the facility was still under construction and not ready for business, including the business of getting ready to open such as hiring staff.
Bianchini turned to Workforce Connection, which provided the office space and equipment and HR support he needed to conduct more than 120 interviews and hire a staff of 45 in three short weeks.
Learn how they did it. Read Love's Success Story |
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MRMA Vendor's Fair: Thursday, Aug. 11
First-timers may exhibit free through Workforce
If you are a manufacturer doing business in Citrus, Levy or Marion counties, it's pretty easy to make the case for exhibiting in MRMA's ( Marion Regional Manufacturers Association) Made in Florida Manufacturing Showcase. The second annual vendor fair is ideal for manufacturers interested in showcasing products to the community, connecting with local suppliers, and connecting with current and new customers. On top of that, exhibitors receive a detailed list of attendees.
Set up starts at 8 a.m. with doors opening to the public at 10 a.m. The event takes place at the College of Central Florida Klein Conference Center in Ocala.
Tables are available with electricity (8') for $200 and without (6') for $130. MRMA members receive a 50-percent discount. This year, Workforce Connection will reimburse the full registration for exhibitors who are not members of MRMA, not currently registered with Workforce Connection, and who commit to posting job openings, at no cost, with Employ Florida.
To register, contact Phillip Schuster. To learn more about Workforce Connection's free booth offer, email Mary Price, targeted industry manager, or call 352-873-7959, ext. 1517. |
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Talent Marketplace improved for you
Premier candidates, private interview rooms
 The Talent Marketplace is your opportunity to meet some of the extraordinary talent available in Citrus, Levy and Marion counties.
We have another set for Wednesday, Aug. 31 and it's one you won't want to miss. The career fair will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the College of Central Florida's Klein Conference Center.
To begin with, you'll meet with Premier Candidates who have earned the right to early admission to the Talent Marketplace by completing special career fair preparation workshops ("Navigating the New World of Work" and targeted resume labs). Premier Candidates will also be required to have a full application and resume on the Employ Florida Marketplace as well as other criteria to ensure they are ready to be interviewed. For your convenience, all Premier Candidates' resumes will be compiled in a database organized by industry and provided to you on a jump drive.
There is no charge for employers to participate in the career fair, but as an added service, we will now offer private interview space along with extended hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). The $50 fee includes two lunches per company. There are only four spots available for this added service.
The Talent Marketplace is an accelerated, efficient and cost-effective recruiting process. Its visibility adds value to your business and you get logistical support provided from Workforce Connection's team.
To participate, employers must have an open job order posted with Workforce Connection. Use this link to post a job then register online . |
Unemployment Compensation reformMore changes take effect August 1
Florida's Unemployment Compensation Law reform measures are projected to save more than $100 million annualyl, easing the tax burden on employers to help them expand and create jobs.
Already in effect are changes to the definition of misconduct, which can now be found to have occured in connection with a job whether or not it takes place at the workplace or during work hours.
Beginning Aug. 1, claimants will be required to make contact with at least five potential employers each week or make one in-person visit to their Workforce Connection Center to meet with a counselor to assess re-employment services. This information must be reported via the Internet during bi-weekly certification for benefits.
Additionally, new claimants must participate in an online Florida Ready to Work initial skills assessment in order to be eligible to receive benefits.
For easy links to information for employers about the state's Unemployment Compensation reforms, visit the Agency for Workforce Innovation |
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About Us
 Mission: Workforce Connection brings together citizens, employers and educational providers to develop programs to support high-quality education/training and employment services to meet regional workforce needs.
The regional workforce board sets policy and directs expenditures of more than $6 million in funds that underwrite services provided through the Workforce Connection offices.
Workforce Connection is the local, business-led organization that plans and coordinates quality employment and training services for businesses and individual career seekers in Citrus, Levy and Marion counties.
Each year, approximately 1,500 businesses and more than 36,000 career seekers receive services through the Workforce Connection. Services include professional and technical recruitment, training, targeted talent marketplaces (job fairs) and financial incentives.
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Employment data
Joblessness in Citrus, Levy and Marion counties rose in June from to 11.5 to 12.2 percent over the month, and was 1.1 percent down over the year, according to the July 22 release of data from the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation.
The unemployment rate for Workforce Connection's three-county region is 1.1 percentage points above Florida's rate of 11.1 percent, not seasonally adjusted rate. The national unemployment rate rose to 9.3 percent. Out of a regional labor force of 208,575, there were 25,547 unemployed, up from 24,016 in May, and 183,028 with jobs.
Get the complete employment story
See latest regional report
See latest state report |
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Submit Your Job Order!
Let Workforce Connection meet your hiring needs. Fill out our convenient Online Job Order Form
For details about Workforce Connection's comprehensive services, at no charge to you, contact our Business Development Team at 352-873-7955 or 800-746-9950 or send us an email
You may post your own jobs in the Employ Florida Marketplace (EFM). The job bank allows you to create your own account to post job orders, review resumes and even contact job seekers directly. |
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Higher OJT rate extended
The reimbursement rate of up to 90 percent for On the Job Training (OJT) grants has been extended for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The regular rate is up to 50 percent.
The OJT program reimburses qualified employers for a new hire's wages during their training; additional costs associated with hiring a new employee, such as uniforms and background checks, may also be reimbursed.
To learn more, call Deborah Roberts at 352-732-1700, ext. 1710 or 800-434-5627, ext. 1710 or send an email to LEemployers@clmworkforce.com |
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Board officers elected
Workforce Connection's board of directors have elected the following slate of officers for FY 2011-2013:
Chair - Suzanne Mills, A&N Corporation, representing Levy County.
Vice Chair - Darlene Goddard, Winco Manufacturing, LLC, representing Marion County.
Treasurer - Fred Morgan, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) representing organized labor. |
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Power Of One: SEO
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the subject of the next Power of One workshop on Aug. 16 from 7:30-9:30 a.m. at the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce, 310 SE Third St., Ocala. The workshop is presented by Rasmussen College and sponsored by the Ocala/Marion County Chamber in partnership and Workforce Connection. Register now and get optimized! |
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