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Greetings!
Just recently, Workforce Connection rolled out its "We Mean Business" campaign. As we pledged last July and August, we have undertaken a major effort to improve our ability to professionally support the job listings to which employers ask us to refer applicants. This has resulted in our hiring a number of seasoned Human Resources professionals to work on our job-order taking and applicant screening efforts. We want to make sure that we understand your talent needs and the skills you require.
Another employer support service that our Board approved in December is a business relationship with Monster ™. It is our pledge to do our best to find the talent you need for your business to succeed. Because many professional and technical job seekers in our area use Monster™, we have become a subscriber. This allows us to search their resume database to find the highly skilled workforce that you need. In addition, we have also contracted to post jobs on Monster™. If we cannot find the talent you need in Employ Florida Marketplace, our state's re-employment system or in the Monster ™ database, we can post your job and work with you on referring qualified applicants.
For your HR staff, our team "speaks their language." To the smaller employer, we offer a level of HR service that can augment your staff. Please put us to the test. We have a professional HR team ready to assist you. All we need is your job listing!
Rusty Skinner, CEO
Workforce Connection |
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January Spotlight on Employer Success
Nature Coast EMS: Employed Worker Training
For more than 10 years, Nature Coast Emergency Medical Services has been Citrus County's exclusive, nonprofit Advanced Life Support 911 emergency responder and medical transportation provider. It is also one of the few ambulance services in the nation to earn national accreditation. Performing at that level requires continuous, top-notch training.
Currently, several Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) are undergoing advanced training to become Paramedics through Workforce Connection's Employed Worker Training (EWT) program.
Mike Hall, president and CEO of Nature Coast EMS, said the program is "going incredibly well" and has turned out team members who are engaged professionals and employees.
Designed to meet the special requirements of local employers, the EWT program helps elevate current employees to better jobs and better wages within a company through customized training. There is no charge to participate in the program which reimburses local employers up to 50 percent of training costs for a maximum of $20,000. Read Nature Coast EMS' Success Story.
Above photo courtesy Ron Bray, Nature Coast EMS. |
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Second Phoenix Rising project complete
Partnership results in jobs, new homeownership
The second Phoenix Rising Youth Build Partnership came to a successful close on Jan. 12, with the graduation of 17 young adults and the ceremonial Blessing of the House and Key Ceremony for the home's new owners, Deborah Daniels and her son, Michael. The pair put in more than 300 hours of sweat equity helping build a Habitat for Humanity home for another family.
Through Phoenix Rising, disadvantaged older youth obtain academic and construction skills, increase their self-esteem, and get a new perspective on life. The project also helps the community and provides a home for deserving homeowners. Participants, who must remain drug free, receive certifications that help with job placement. To date, 11 of the 17 graduates have obtained jobs and one is enrolled in college.
Spearheaded by the Ocala Police Department, partners include City of Ocala, Habitat for Humanity of Marion County, Henkels & McCoy Training Services Group, Workforce Connection and other local businesses and community organizations.
Workforce Connection supports Phoenix Rising by assisting with federal funding for training and employment.
For more coverage, see the Star Banner Photo Gallery |
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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 Update
The jobless rate for Workforce Connection's Citrus, Levy and Marion counties region followed state and national trends by dropping from 11.5 to 11.3 percent in December, down 2.1 percentage points over the year.
Out of a regional labor force of 205,919, there were 23,237 unemployed, 670 fewer jobless than in November 2011.
Regional Report
State Report Read the Full Story |
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Money-Saving Tax Tips
Tax season is already here which means now is the time to take advantage of tax opportunities that can help your small business reduce its tax liability and save money come April 17 (this year's filing deadline is pushed back two days). Check out the United States Small Business Administration's seven tips that can help you maximize your deductions and claim the credits you deserve. You'll also find Tax Strategies for a Mobile Office and other hot topics. See USSBA's Tax Tips |
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'HR Corner' Available
HR Corner offers tips, guides and forms to help businesses handle day-to-day Human Resources needs. The materials are available at no charge and are designed to help support, not replace, recruiting/hiring and employee relations' efforts. All templates may be customized with company logos and other information. Visit HR Corner. |
We Mean BUSINESS 
Workforce Connection partners
with employers to help local businesses grow - at no charge to you. Our Business Services include:
* Screening, Recruiting and Hiring
* Customized Training Programs
* Outplacement Services
* Labor Market Information
* Financial Incentives
* Tax Credit Information and Much More!
Get started today! Call the Business Development Team at 352-873-7955 or 800-746-9950. Also, check out our YouTube Channel to view videos providing more details about our services. |
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Online Job Orders
Post your open positions using our Online Job Order Form. You may also post jobs in the Employ Florida Marketplace (EFM). For details about our employer services, offered at no charge, call us at 352-873-7955, 800-746-9950 or email the Business Development Team |
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