President's Report Masthead
President's Report
APRIL 2009
Governance

Congratulations to Workforce Florida's New ChairPresident's Report Masthead, Appointees and Reappointed Members
Thanks to appointments this month by Governor Charlie Crist, Workforce Florida is pleased to welcome Belinda Keiser as the new Chair of the Board of Directors. Keiser, who had served as Vice Chair since 2007, brings to her new role a strong background in education, workforce and government affairs. She is the Vice Chancellor of Community Relations and Student Advancement at Keiser University and has been a Workforce Florida Board member since 2005. Governor Crist also appointed four new board members:

� Benedict Grzesik, of Melbourne, is a Certified Senior Human        Resources Professional and Adjunct Professor for the University of Maryland University College.
� Tim Lyons, of North Palm Beach, is a Commercial Account Executive for Celedinas Insurance Group.
� Lumon May, of Pensacola, is a General Contractor and Co-Owner of Mays Construction.
� Alex Moseley, of Venice, is a consultant with MoseSys.

Four members also were reappointed to continue their leadership work through Workforce Florida in support of the state's demand-driven workforce system:

� Randy Berridge, of Longwood, President of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. He joined the board in 2008.
� Mary Lou Brunell, of Apopka, Executive Director of the Florida Center for Nursing at the University of Central Florida. She joined the board in 2005.
� Eric Robinson, of Venice, a Certified Public Accountant and Owner of Peacock, Robinson and Hanks CPA. He joined the board in 2005.
� Mark Wilson, of Tallahassee, president and chief executive officer of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. He joined the board in 2008.

All of these appointments affirm Governor Crist's continued commitment to developing a workforce that will make Florida a global leader in the 21st Century. I'm sure the entire state workforce system joins me congratulating these leaders whose contributions will help us develop Florida's world-class talent.
Legislative Update

Budget Accord Reached on QRT Funding
While budget negotiations continue in the Legislature, with one day remaining in the regular, 60-day session, a top legislative priority for the Workforce Florida Board that had been in limbo -- funding for Quick Response Training (QRT) -- has been resolved. The Joint Conference Committee on Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations has agreed to $3.3 million for QRT in the 2009-2010 state budget. It's also been widely announced that the House and Senate will extend the session into next week to complete their work on the budget. The funding for QRT was made possible through the legislative leadership of Rep. Rich Glorioso. I would like to thank him and our partners including Enterprise Florida, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Economic Development Council, and the Manufacturers Association of Florida, among others, who urged continued support for the 16-year-old grants program. As you know, QRT is a key economic development tool for new and expanding businesses that are creating new jobs in Florida. More than $59 million in grants were awarded to businesses to provide customized skills training for nearly 67,000 workers from 2000-2008.

Meanwhile, another legislative priority of the Workforce Florida Board of Directors is headed to Governor Crist's desk. The Legislature passed Senate Bill 1062. The bill directs Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) to report the same employment and wage data on their clients that is required of all other Florida employers, which includes employment and wage information by industry and geographic location. The Senate sponsor for the bill is Senator Mike Fasano. The House companion is sponsored by Representative Steve Crisafulli. Their leadership on this issue and this legislation will improve the quality of labor market information. I applaud Agency for Workforce Innovation Interim Director Cynthia Lorenzo, Florida Labor Market Statistics Center Director Becky Rust and their team at AWI for their collaboration with industry to achieve this important accomplishment.
Workforce & Economic Development
 
Workforce and Economic Development Join Forces to Expand International Trade Business
In Feburary's report, I noted a new collaboration taking shape between Workforce Florida and Enterprise Florida to help Florida companies become stronger competitors in the international trade arena. We've made some significant progress with this project, facilitated by nearly $457,000 in Quick Response Training grants from Workforce Florida, and the first training is slated to begin in May.

Most recently, Workforce Florida and Enterprise Florida made a joint announcement that the QRT grants will be matched by nearly $663,000 provided by several key partners to offer export management and process training for about 630 employees of businesses targeting the international trade sector for expansion. The Global Trade Training Pilot Program is being coordinated by Enterprise Florida.

The goal of Global Trade Training is to support the partners - Broward County,  the Regional Minority Business Council (Miami Shores), The Grimes Companies (Jacksonville), ICS Logistics (Jacksonville), Martin County and Sarasota County - in their efforts to advise and prepare companies to grow their operations in foreign markets or improve global business success rates. Three overarching focal areas of business needs were identified for the grants - export logistics, exporting for the marine industry and exporting to designated foreign markets.

Global Trade Training is a win-win for Florida businesses, workers, local and state economies for so many reasons, but if you were looking for just one, consider that the U.S. Department of Commerce says global companies, on average, grow faster, pay 15 percent higher wages and are more profitable than non-exporting businesses.
Federal Stimulus Update

Workforce System Furthering Economic Recovery Initiatives
Florida's workforce system remains fully engaged in efforts to support Florida's economic recovery through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). In my last report, I noted the $165 million in federal stimulus funds directed to Florida's workforce system to help reinvigorate Florida's economy by addressing rising employment and training needs. As our important work continues to deploy those funds, we are also diligently seeking to position Florida well post-recession for a competitive and robust economy. Another key opportunity to do so, consistent with top priorities for Florida, is to go after some of the $500 million the U.S. Department of Labor has reserved for competitive grants focused on "green jobs." To aid Florida's efforts, Workforce Florida's Sustainability and Infrastructure Committee, chaired by Lila Jaber, has planned a Defining Green Jobs workshop on May 8 in Tallahassee. It is designed to identify jobs and skills that are and will be in demand in Florida's emerging green sector. Through presentations and input from subject matter experts, Florida can define what a "green job" is and effectively advocate that definition with the U.S. Departments of Energy, Labor and other interested organizations, in response to ARRA, and bolster our state's efforts to receive discretionary stimulus funds.

On another stimulus front, coordinating with Workforce Florida and AWI, all 24 of Florida's Regional Workforce Boards are planning summer youth employment programs for young people ages 14-24 who are from low-income families. Early estimates are that 15,000 young people will receive work readiness training and work experience this summer resulting from the programs. Summer youth employment through ARRA funds offers a great opportunity for businesses, nonprofits and governmental agencies, among others, to serve as work sites and support skills development for our future workforce, while benefiting from additional short-term staffing. Among the many creative plans being set into motion is the work of CLM Workforce Connection, which is working with utility partners in its region to develop the POWERFUL Summer initiative that will introduce young people to career opportunities in the energy sector. More information about each region's plans can be found on the Florida Office of Economic Recovery Web site.

As this initial Recovery Act investment in workforce focuses on creating work experience opportunities for Florida's youth, each workforce board is seeking employers with the capacity to serve as work experience host sites. They also are working to identify opportunities for employees to volunteer as mentors and help with job shadowing and other volunteer activities that may be included in the summer jobs program. Businesses interested in participating in the program are encouraged to contact their regional workforce board for more information. 

Work on State WIA Plan Underway
We are approaching an upcoming June deadline for revisions to Florida's Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Plan, which serves as our blueprint to the U.S. Department of Labor for how our state invests its WIA federal funds to build a better skilled workforce. The state plan also is significant because it serves as a foundation for the local WIA plans required of each Regional Workforce Board in Florida. The most recent updates are spurred by the Recovery Act and will outline Florida's plans to use ARRA dollars to increase workforce system capacity as well as updated strategies the system can use to assist job seekers and businesses in the current economic downturn.

Chief Executive Names Florida No. 1 in the Nation for Workforce
A recent survey by Chief Executive magazine ranked Florida the No. 1 state in the nation for the quality of its workforce. The rankings are based on feedback from 500 CEOs from across the U.S. for its annual "Best and Worst States for Business" survey, which focused on taxation and regulation, workforce quality and living environment.

Florida also placed in the top three states for business overall, moving up from last year's No. 10 position. Texas was rated No. 1 for business; North Carolina No. 2. In 2008, CNBC also recognized Florida as the leading state in the nation for workforce, based on factors such as the quality and availability of the state's workforce as well as the success of workforce training programs that lead to job placements.

As our state, like others, wrestles with the challenges of rising unemployment and difficult budget issues, the No. 1 workforce ranking from Chief Executive is a positive reminder that we have much to be proud of as a national leader for helping people advance in the workforce while supporting a stronger business climate for Florida.
Telling the Workforce Story

I appreciate the recent invitation to address the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Economic Forum on "Strengthening Workforce Talent in Today's Challenging Marketplace." It was a great opportunity to highlight tools available through the workforce system to support business success. Vice President of Workforce Performance Steve Urquhart also addressed a Florida Chamber of Commerce group on workforce talent. Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) Grant Manager Catherine Kennedy recently presented to Hillsborough Community College's corporate college training department on the IWT and other Workforce Florida grant opportunities. And Quick Response Training (QRT) Grant Manager Debbie McMullian last week gave overviews on QRT and IWT grants as well as workforce-related stimulus information at the Florida Council for Resource Development Conference at Lake City Community College. In our ongoing efforts to educate others about the Florida workforce story, we've also added an online archive of past issues of my President's Report, which is available on Workforce Florida's Web site.
Accolades
 
Workforce Florida Board Member RecoSen. Gaetz with Shayne Stewartgnized for Service
Shayne Stewart, who was appointed to the Workforce Florida Board last year, has been recognized with a top honor: Florida Professional Firefighter of the Year. It's a well deserved distinction for Stewart who is a Captain with the Okaloosa Island Fire District. Sen. Don Gaetz had this to say of the recognition of Stewart, a 26-year fire service veteran, "Shayne Stewart is a champion for firefighters and their families. He has led the way as an advocate for a highly trained, deeply committed force of men and women dedicated to the protection of our communities."
Key Dates

May 8: Green Jobs Workshop hosted by Workforce Florida's Sustainability & Infrastructure Committee. Tallahassee

May 17-19: 2009 Florida Economic Development Conference. Orlando

May 26-28: Workforce Florida Board of Directors' Meeting. Tallahassee

May 28: Sterling Small Business Blueprint Mini-Conference. Orlando

Small Business Issues Forums
The Florida Office of Small Business Advocate and the Florida Small Business Development Center Network Small Business Issues Forums.
May 1: Panama City
May 13: Pensacola
June 11: Tallahassee

June 10-11: Enterprise Florida Board of Directors Meeting. Orlando
 
June 25: Space Florida Board of Directors Meeting. Orlando
Thank you for your commitment to creating a world-class workforce in Florida.
 
Sincerely,

Chris Hart Signature

Chris Hart IV
President/CEO
Workforce Florida, Inc.
Table of Contents
Governance
Legislative Update
Workforce & Economic Development
Federal Stimulus Update
Telling the Workforce Story
Accolades
Key Dates
Workforce Snapshot
Florida's
Workforce:

9,210,000

Unemployment Rate:
9.7%

Job Growth:
Education and Health Services
Up 19,700*

*Education/Health Services is the only sector among Florida's major industries currently gaining jobs.


Source: Florida Labor Market Statistics Center (March 2009 data)