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Greetings!
Your feedback is very important to us, that's why I'm asking you to please take a moment to complete the Skills Gap Survey by Sept. 22. As employers, we can help Workforce Connection by letting them know what skills are critical to our future success.
The survey is a key component of Workforce's effort to ensure that you, as one of our community's valued businesses, have access to the skilled talent necessary for your organization to run effectively and efficiently.
In order to better prepare the regional workforce to meet your needs, we're seeking your input to identify the critical skills you have difficulty finding in the available talent pool.
The online version of the Skills Gap Survey will help us better understand your workforce needs and skills challenges. The information will be used to work with local education providers to shape education and training curricula as well as update strategies to engage individuals in ongoing learning and development.
Workforce Connection has retained Thomas P. Miller and Associates, LLC, a national research and planning organization to assist in the design and analysis of the survey. The survey will remain anonymous and results will only be shared in aggregate form to ensure your company's information is kept confidential.
To get started, just click on one of the links above.
Thank you in advance, I greatly appreciate your input. Please contact Workforce at 800-746-9950, ext. 1205 with any questions.
Darlene Goddard, Board Chair
Workforce Connection
and HR Director Winco Mfg., LLC |
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Spotlight: Sonic Drive-In Reopens
'Workforce was Happy to Join our Team'
Reopening the SONIC Drive-In this summer in Crystal River required a qualified staff of 50-70 employees, but what do you do when, as a new franchisee, you're new to the community and don't know where to turn for talent? Sonic/Belle Grande turned to Workforce Connection.
"From the very first moment, I knew I was in good hands," said Donna Alexander, the company's media and marketing director.
"(Workforce) went way above and beyond the call of duty. I
was impressed with the level
of cooperation, commitment and assistance to help us get up and running."
Find out why Sonic/Belle Grande plans to "call Workforce Connection in a heartbeat" to meet future needs. SONIC Success Story
Pictured top: Donna Alexander of Sonic/Belle Grande, with scissors, surrounded by Ambassadors from the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce. Above: carhop Hadley Skidmore, a Crystal River High School senior, makes a delivery at the iconic drive-in.
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Patriot Job Connection Makes the Grade
Students, Staff and Employers Like New Service
When she walked into the new  Patriot Job Connection office at the College of Central Florida's Ocala campus, Latoya McKinnon wasn't sure how she was going to stay in school. On her own since she aged out of the foster care system, the 24-year-old was struggling to pay her rent, and was very close to losing her apartment. What she needed was a job.
Latoya became a fixture at the new center, showing up every day to search for work and meet with placement specialists who helped her update her resume, research employers and prepare for interviews. It paid off: she landed an interview, and a job, with Sitel and began working earlier this month.When Latoya finishes her associate's degree at CF, she plans to enroll in the radiology technician program at Community Technical and Adult Education.
Workforce Connection's Patriot Job Connection, in partnership
with CF, provides employment services at no charge to any postsecondary student in Citrus, Levy and Marion counties, regardless of where they attend school. It had a "soft" opening in June and kicks into full gear with the start of the fall term this coming week.
Pictured: Gail Buzard, Workforce Connection business development coordinator in charge of the Patriot Job Connection (left) and Latoya McKinnon, College of Central Florida student.
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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
Workforce Connection's regional unemployment rate was 10.6 percent in July, up 0.4 percent over the month but down 2.1 percent from one year ago. Out of an expanded labor force of 206,753, there were 21,866 jobless or 4,586 fewer unemployed than this time last year.
The July 2012 unemployment rates, released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, were 10.5 percent in Marion County, up 0.2 percent over the month; 10.8 percent in Citrus County, up 0.5 percent; and 10.3 percent in Levy County, up 0.5 percent. Florida's not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 9.3 percent in July and the United States rate was 8.6 percent.
See Regional Report
See Statewide Report
Read all the Local Details
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MRMA's Third Annual
Trade Show a Success
Exhibitors were all smiles at the Marion Regional Manufactures Association's third annual vendor's fair on Aug. 9. The trade show offered businesses the opportunity to showcase their products and services to the "Who's Who" of regional manufacturers, making valuable connections that save costs and time.
Check out more photos from this year's trade show or learn more about MRMA.
Pictured: Troy Strawder, CEO of ARC Marion (seated) and Joe Martone, president of Generations Broadcasting/WOCA.
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Small Business Resource Fair Set for Next Month
Are you looking for resources to help you grow your business? If so, then mark your calendar for the Small Business Resource Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the College of Central Florida's Klein Conference Center.
Whether you are a for-profit, private business or nonprofit organization, this is your chance to learn about local resources provided by accountants, attorneys, bankers, lenders, insurers, and consultants as well as the Small Business Development Center, Workforce Connection, CF, the Small Business Administration (SBA), SCORE, the IRS, the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce, purchasing agents from local governments and more.
The event is presented by the Small Business Resource Network and the SBDC at the University of North Florida in Marion County. It is sponsored by Wells Fargo.
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. For more information, or to register, please call 352-622-8763 or email Selma Canas.
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Higher Reimbursement
Extended for OTJ Training
The higher On-the-Job Training (OJT) reimbursement of up to 90 percent, which was set to end this summer, has been extended through June 31, 2013.
The OJT program enables employers to provide customized training for eligible new employees. The amount and length of reimbursement is based on your new employee's skills and experience. In addition to wages, an OJT may also cover other costs associated with hiring new employees, such as equipment, uniforms and background checks.
To learn more, complete an online application or find out what other local employers have to say about the ease and benefits of the OJT program, click here.
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NetWorker Bulletin
If you missed the latest issues of the NetWorker
bulletin, or if you'd like to pass the information along to those interested in hot jobs and top talent, you can find every issue on our website.
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