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Greetings!
Finally! Companies are experiencing growth in the area, unemployment is inching down, interest rates are staying low. That's all good news, right? Yes, absolutely. However, as we start to increase our staffing we are all fishing in the same labor pool, or are we? The Employ Florida Marketplace (EFM) is a great place to post your openings and staffing needs - at no charge. Plus, with some help from the staff at Workforce Connection, I am able to search candidates, see who is applying, whether or not they are a veteran, what their Ready-To-Work credential level is and how closely their experiences match my skills requirements.
If you haven't tried EFM at www.EmployFlorida.com in the past or if it has been a while since you visited the site, it is time to take another look at this wonderful resource. As more employers post their openings, it is attracting more highly qualified candidates to register and to fully register - with cover letters, resumes and previous employment details.
Best of all, we have professionals at Workforce Connection here in town to help us navigate the software if we get stuck. The team uses the Employ Florida software all the time. I received a great "tip" on the phone just the other week: using the "BACK" key on the keyboard works faster when reviewing applicants.
Need some Labor Market stats for your end-of-year review to the owners? It is there. Want to find out about available training? Yep, you guessed it: just click the link. You can even set up correspondence templates for communicating with potential hires.
I love great, easy to access resources and I love FREE! I think you will, too. Contact the Business Development Team at Workforce Connection for more information on EmployFlorida Marketplace and set up your account today!
Darlene Goddard, Board Chair
Workforce Connection
and Executive Director of HR
Winco Mfg., LLC |
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Spotlight: Ansafone Contact Centers
Answering the call for top-quality talent
For Lynda Owens, director of operations for Ansafone's new east coast office in Ocala, Workforce Connection was the answer to the company's need to staff up in time to handle the holiday rush. Owens knew to call on Workforce Connection because Workforce had been the answer during her own career search.
"It's been a long relationship. I actually got my job through Workforce Connection, beginning with Answer2, that was back in 2007-2008, so I knew there was a connection there," she said.
When Ansafone announced its expansion, Owens said,
"Workforce Connection reached out to me ... they had the pool
of talent qualified to do this job."
More than that, Workforce Connection provided Ansafone with On-the-Job (OJT) training grants and other incentives that Owens said were "very attractive for businesses" small or large.
Read more to discover why Ansafone recommends that other employers "just try Workforce and they'll like it, too."
Pictured above from top: Lynda Owens, director of operations, along with Ansafone agents Matthew Vealey, Denise Dyson and Therese Sims.
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Making Connections Around the Region
Stand Down is 'Hand Up, Not a Handout'
The Homeless Veterans Stand Down takes place tomorrow (Saturday, Jan. 19) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Florida National Guard Armory, 900 S.W. 20th St., in Ocala. Sponsored by the Workforce Connection Veterans Team, in collaboration with area veteran and community organizations, the Stand Down is funded by a $5,000 Veterans Stand Down Grant from the National Veterans Homeless Support, Inc. (NVHS) and the Florida Department of children and Families (DCF). The Stand Down provides services such as employment and benefits counseling, health screenings, food, shelter and clothing to homeless veterans. Nonperishable foods, blankets and clothing will also be distributed.
Citrus County: Community GED Collaborators
United Way of Citrus County, Withlacoochee Technical Institute (WTI) and Workforce Connection have partnered to help members of the community earn their GED. Since earning a high school diploma or GED is a critical, minimal, step in today's job market, the organizations have combined forces to eliminate barriers for those interested in attaining their GED. Classes are provided through WTI and are quite flexible for those with children or who are working. Those interested in obtaining their GED should contact the United Way of Citrus County for more information.
Fourth Phoenix Rising Youth Build Project Kicks Off
The fourth youth build project in two years is underway, with 14 candidates. Classroom work began on Jan. 7 and the wall-raising is set for either the first or second Wednesday of February.
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.
The project was spearheaded by the Ocala Police Department in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Marion County, Workforce Connection, the City of Ocala, Henkels & McCoy and myriad other community partners. Workforce Connection provides funding for the initiative from the US Department of Labor earmarked for training and employment.
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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 $8 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 region's Unemployment Rate was 8.9 percent in December 2012, down 0.3 since November and down 2.5 percent over the year. Out of a labor force of 206,848, there were 18,476 unemployed, 517 fewer than the previous month and 4,963 less than in December 2011. Rates for each county were 9.1 percent in Citrus County, down 0.1 percent over the month and down 2.2 percent over the year; 8.6 percent in Levy County, down 0.2 percent; since November and down 2.0 percent over the year; and 8.9 percent in Marion County, down 0.3 percent over the month and down 2.6 percent compared to the previous December. Florida's unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted, was 7.9 percent, down from 8.0 percent, and the national rate was 7.6 percent.
Read Regional Report
Read Florida Report
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Digital Marketing
If you don't know your SEO from a CRM or ERP - or if you do, but don't know how any of that can improve your company's bottom line - here's your opportunity to find out.
Basic Digital Terminology Free one-hour workshop offered by Ocoos, a Florida-based internet platform, in partnership with Workforce Connection and re-View Business Strategies of Ocala. The workshop explains digital marketing terms in a practical lab oriented style. Register here to participate in the Basic Digital Terminology workshop or call 352-409-7495.
Introduction to Digital Marketing
Four-week program introduces your employees to basic marketing principles, trends and key digital marketing concepts. Two-hour classes are held Tuesday and Thursday with a Saturday, four-hour option added for those who are only able to attend on weekends. The program includes an introduction to Ocoos' interface and small business support services. Graduates will be certified Digital Marketing Practitioners.
Through the partnership with Workforce Connection, companies may receive up to 100 percent reimbursement for the cost of the program. Register here for the Introduction to Digital Marketing program or call 352-857-9737.
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Employer Trends
Positive over-the-year employer trends continued in the Workforce Connection region during December 2012 with a total of 515 employers posting 1,454 open positions. That represents a 32-percent increase in the number of employers compared to December 2011 as well as a 64.5-percent increase over-the-year in open job orders. Highlights for each of the counties:
* Citrus County employers posted 285 open jobs, an over-the-year increase of 97 percent; more than twice as many employers, 151 or +109 percent, posted open job orders compared to December 2011.
* Levy County saw a 38 percent increase in the number of employers with open jobs but a 14 percent drop in open positions
* Marion County posted 1,144 open jobs, a 61-percent increase over the year, and a 32 percent increase in number of employers with open jobs (339), compared to December 2011.
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Custom Business Training
Custom Business Training is a win-win for employers
and employees. It helps you retain skilled staff, increases productivity and enhances your company's market competitiveness. Best of all, Workforce Connection can offset up to 100 percent of your out-of-pocket costs associated with more than 400 licenses and certifications, including A+/Net+ Certification (IT), Welder and CNC Certifications and OSHA 30 Certificate (manufacturing), EMT/Paramedic Certifications and Certified Phlebotomist (healthcare), and 2-15 Insurance License (insurance).
To learn more, call 800-746-9950 or visit Custom Business Training.
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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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