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Greetings!
As we stand down our forces in far away lands, those who have served and protected are coming back looking for the life and jobs they left. Disciplined, loyal, mission-driven are all words that we use to describe those who are in the armed forces. They are also traits that employers look for in their employees.
While we traditionally recognize veterans in November, it is important to realize that the returning veterans are not looking for employment only one time each year. In our Workforce Connection Centers we have specialized staff who work with veterans looking for employment. Many times we forget that today's military is "high tech" and many skills that are developed in the service transfer easily into the workplace.
On top of the "soft skills" that we find important, adapting their military background into a civilian job can be eased by two incentives - both to support on-the-job training (OJT). The first is what is called VA OJT. This is a program offered through the Veteran's Administration (VA) to help employers hire and train veterans for their jobs. A second is the OJT program offered through our one-stop centers. For small employers of less than 50 employees, 90 percent of wages paid may be reimbursed for the period of training.
If you are interested in hiring a veteran or learning more about the two OJT programs, please contact us at 800-434-5627. You can also reach out to your County Veteran's Service office. These offices, which are part of our county governments, assist veterans every day and can be a wealth of information to you as employers and to any veterans that you know.
Give us a call. Hire a Vet!
Rusty Skinner, CEO
Workforce Connection |
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Spotlight on Employer Success
MRMC partners with Workforce for training 
When Munroe Regional Medical Center needed cost-effective training to help bridge Graduate Nurses to fully functioning Registered Nurses, the hospital turned to Workforce Connection.
MRMC created a Nurse Residency program and partnered with Workforce Connection using a Workforce Florida Healthcare Initiative grant. The program enabled MRMC to fast-track GNs through training that included general skills development, critical thinking skills and specialty areas. An Employed Worker Training (EWT) program also supported National Certification in critical care areas.
Pam Michell, vice president/chief nursing officer, said the partnership was a "key factor" in the success of Munroe's Resident Nurse program,
Want the Rx for success? Read MRMC's success story. |
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Talent Marketplace Improved for You! Top candidates, private interview space
The Talent Marketplace Career Fair on Aug. 31 is an accelerated, efficient and cost-effective recruiting process. As a business owner or HR professional, this is your opportunity to meet the talent available in Citrus, Levy and Marion counties.
The career fair takes place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the College of Central Florida's Klein Conference Center.
This high-visibility recruiting event adds value to your business and comes with logistical support provided by the Workforce Connection team -- at no cost.
New features include:
- Opportunity to meet early with Premier Candidates who have completed special career fair preparation workshops and have full applications and resumes posted on the Employ Florida Marketplace.
- Electronic database of all Premier Candidates' resumes organized by industry and provided to employers.
- Private interview space and extended hours (8 a.m. - 5 p.m.) for a $50 fee, two lunches per company included.
To participate, employers must have an Open Job Order posted with Workforce Connection. Register for the Talent Marketplace today! |
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Early-stage, Startup Businesses Get Boost
Citrus County Enterprise Center nears completion
A business incubator program is really heating up in Citrus County. Within the next few weeks, renovations on the former Homosassa office of the Citrus County Chamber, ideally located on U.S. 19, will be completed and the Citrus County Enterprise Center will be open for business. Home to the small business accelerator program, the Center will initially offer office space, equipment, and other amenities for three new businesses. The program will enable startups to incubate for approximately three years, benefiting from reduced rent as well as business support. Once they are well established, the businesses will move out, filling commercial spaces and creating new jobs -- and making room for new startups to grow.
The project was launched by the Citrus County Chamber, Citrus County Economic Development Council and Small Business Development Center in partnerships with Workforce Connection, SCORE and the College of Central Florida. For more information about the application process, contact Ardath Prendergast at 352-726-2801 or ardath@citrusedc.com.
Photo Courtesy Citrus County Economic Development Council
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Employers: Did You Know?
Money-saving training options available
Do your employees need better skills to increase your company's productivity or profitability? You may qualify for grants or reimbursements that can help boost your workers' skills without negatively impacting your bottom line.
Workforce Connection can help you find ways to finance training by directing you to local, state or federal programs that are dedicated to workforce development.
On-the-Job Training (OJT) - This program provides an incentive for employers to hire qualified people who may not have the experience for your position. By hiring an employee in a training capacity, you can be reimbursed for a portion of that employee's salary, currently up to 90 percent of wages for up to six months.
Employed Worker Training (EWT) - These short-term training programs can be customized to meet the needs of your workforce. The best part: if training results in a nationally recognized certification or licensure, Workforce Connection may pay 50 percent of the training cost.
Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) - All for-profit businesses that have operated in Florida for at least one year are eligible to receive Incumbent Worker grants for current employees, which cover up to 50 percent of training costs.
For details about OJT and EWT programs, contact our Business Services Team. To learn more about incumbent worker training, please visit Workforce Florida. |
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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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Submit Your Job Order!
Let Workforce Connection fill your hiring needs. Complete 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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Florida Eight: Economic Development Partners
The Florida Eight is a strategic project funded through Workforce Florida to empower regional collaboration and build regional capacity, job and business retention and international diversification. It is designed to better connect workforce and economic development.
The project is organized around regions established by the Florida Economic Development Council (FEDC) and Enterprise Florida (EFI). In Workforce Connection's three-county area, Citrus is connected with the efforts out of Tampa Bay area while Levy and Marion are connected to a region that stretches west to Jefferson County and north to the Georgia border.
Earlier this month, Workforce CEO Rusty Skinner met with the North Central group in Lake County for what he described as a "very positive meeting of core partners." He also met with the Tampa group to make sure our efforts are "in concert with the needs of Citrus County as they expand their reach."
Visit Business Catalyst to learn more about the new Florida Eight partnerships.
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Power of One Workshop
Video and blogging
Learn how blogging and video impacts business search ranking at the next Power of One workshop on Aug. 23 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce, 310 SE Third St., Ocala. The free workshop is presented by John Abegglen and Teresa Hofaker of rock Creek Internet Services. The Power of One workshops are sponsored by the Ocala/Marion County Chamber in partnership and Workforce Connection. Register online |
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