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Greetings!
"Water, Water everywhere...." Many of us find this same to be true today in our search for talent for our businesses. Applicants abound, but finding the right one is more difficult than ever. Applicants are also frustrated. Employers get volumes of applications through the convenience of the Internet, yet the primary source of hiring remains networks - our friends, our trusted employees and our community and religious affiliations.
With this newsletter we are starting a highlight that will focus on some highly- or specially-skilled job applicants and provide a brief resume for your information. Please let us know whether this is something that you find of value. With numerous applicants, it is often possible that THE RIGHT ONE doesn't surface. Our goal is to provide you with a small "picture" of some of the great talent available to help your company.
As with any such selection, our targeting may not be what you are looking for at this time. However, please don't wait. Call us and let us know the job you are trying to fill and we will give you information on who we have that may fit your needs.
We also have access to a number of professional and other sources of job applicants and can search those resources to fill your talent needs. Just call us.
Rusty Skinner, CEO
Workforce Connection |
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Spotlight on Employer Success
OJTs & more brighten Solar Lights & More
Solar Lights & More has been partnering with Workforce Connection for so long that owners Kathy and Kevin McMonigle can't quite recall how long it's been, or just how the relationship got started - they're just glad it did.
The Ocala-based company has relied on Workforce Connection over the years to help them find the right employees and adult interns, offset hiring costs through On-the-Job Training (OJT) grants, and provide affordable and effective training through Employed Worker Training (EWT) programs.
"It's especially come in handy during the recession, when everything fell apart," Kathy McMonigle said. "We needed help and people out there needed jobs. It's become more essential."
Read Solar Lights & More's Success Story
Pictured L-R: Kathy McMonigle, co-owner; Paula Singleton, office manager; and Amanda D'Andrea, customer service representative. |
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Hire a Veteran, Boost Your Bottom Line
Take advantage of Work Opportunity Tax Credit
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program ended Dec. 31, 2011 for all target groups other than veterans.
As provided for  by the Returning Heroes and Wounded Warriors Work Opportunity Tax Credit, employers may claim a significant tax credit by adding U.S. veterans to the payroll before Jan. 1, 2013.
In addition to the one-year extension, the WOTC expands the definition of "qualified veteran," increases the maximum amount of allowable WOTC and extends the availability of the credit to tax-exempt employers.
Employers may qualify for federal income tax credits of $5,600 for veterans unemployed six months or more to $9,600 for hiring disabled veterans. Tax-exempt employers may qualify for credits of $3,640 for hiring veterans unemployed at least six months and $6,240 for disabled veterans.
Employers may be eligible for a WOTC if they hire a qualified veteran receiving food stamps or whose service-connected disabilities do not meet certain other criteria.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity will continue to accept applications for all expired target groups in anticipation of program reauthorization. However, issuance of certifications and denials for all other (non-veteran) WOTC target groups will be withheld pending further legislative action and guidance from the U. S. Department of Labor (there is no indication as to when, or if, such action will occur).
Learn more about Financial Incentives
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We Mean BUSINESS
Employers, did you know you can post your open positions at no charge using our Online Job Order Form? You may also post jobs in the Employ Florida Marketplace (EFM).
Additional Business Services, offered at no charge, include:
* Screening, Recruiting and Hiring
* Customized Training Programs
* Outplacement Services
* Labor Market Information
* Financial Incentives
* Tax Credit Information and Much More!
For details about our Business Services, contact us at 352-873-7955, 800-746-9950 or email the Business Services Team. |
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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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New Supervisory Training Consortium in the works
Do your supervisors need training? Training can increase productivity and sales, reduce turnover and improve employee morale. Workforce Connection is exploring ways to provide the training you need at affordable costs through a possible Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) Consortium Grant.
The IWT Consortium would allow multiple employers throughout Citrus, Levy and Marion counties to partner under one grant for cost-effective Basic Supervisory Training. The grant would cover half the cost of the 16-hour training program, including all materials. Training sessions will be conducted by a Certified Instructor over the course of four weeks. Depending on class size, it is expected the out-of-pocket cost per trainee would be $100 or less.
! If you are interested in taking advantage of this training opportunity or learning more, please contact Business Development Manager Roetta Coller at 352-873-7939, ext. 2230 or 800-746-9950, ext. 2230. |
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Talent on Target
This month we're introducing a new feature highlighting some of the area's top job candidates.
Larry M. holds a bachelor's degree in Education and Master's degree in Management. He developed college education programs including instruction, counseling, coordinating, recruiting, curriculum and administration. He is experienced in management, internal auditing and financial operations with more than 17 years experience in Inventory Management and five years of Business Management. He is also well-skilled in the full suite of Microsoft Office programs.
Learn how you can make Larry M. a valuable addition to your team by contacting Employment Manager Pamela Wise at 800-434-JOBS, ext. 1245 or 352-840-5700, ext. 1245.
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REACT: Cedar Key
When fire closed the Rusty Rim and Coconuts restaurants on Cedar Key late last month, Workforce Connection offered a helping hand. Coordinating with Cedar Key Mayor Heath Davis, Workforce sent its Reemployment and Emergency Assistance Coordination Team (REACT) along with fully-equipped Mobile Resource Unit (MRU) to meet with the restaurants' employees. The MRU set up shop on Feb. 2 at the Cedar Key Library, providing onsite re-employment assistance to more than half of the restaurants' displaced workers.
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Employment Update
January's employment data will be released by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity on March 13 followed on March 30 with February's release. All other release dates are the third Friday of each month.
This schedule for February and March is routine each year due to the state's annual benchmarking process. The March releases will include revisions to the statistics for previous years, including 2011.
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