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JULY 2016

Typically, this time of year is one of languid relaxation, or at least a slower pace. Try telling that to the teams at FedEx, Marion County Fire Rescue or Episcopal Children's Services. In a span of three short weeks, CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion held five informational recruiting events for the three companies, drawing more than 2,200 potential job applicants. And that doesn't include the 10 other hiring events throughout the month. If you want to leverage the power of CareerSource CLM to find your next great employee or employees, just give us a call at 800-746-9950.
 
New Board Chairman, Officers Elected to 2 Year Terms

BOARD ALSO RECOGNIZES RETIRING MEMBER, WELCOMES ADDITION
Michael Biskie of Ocala, a human resources consultant, has been named the new chairman of CareerSource CLM's board, a role he is familiar with having served as chair from 2005-2007. He begins his two-year term tomorrow, replacing Kevin Cunningham who had served as chairman since 2014. The board of directors also named Kathy Judkins of SECO Energy as vice chairman and reaffirmed Fred Morgan, labor representative with IBEW Local Union 222, as treasurer.
Board members also bid farewell to Desmond Knight, first appointed to the board in June 2003. He recently retired as HR manager for Central Florida Electric Cooperative in Levy County. Kevin Badge, who took over the HR role at CFEC, was appointed to the CareerSource CLM board in June.
FedEx Hiring Events Draw More Than 1,800

Brenda Chrisman, CareerSource CLM business services officer, 
distributes material about upcoming hiring events to those waiting,
 
When 880 job seekers showed up on July 6 to learn about FedEx's 500 package handler positions, we didn't think anything could top it. 

But the very next evening, following a brief summer storm, 927 more waited eagerly and patiently to attend 30-minute informational sessions.

Thomas Alexander, sort manager for the Ocala hub, said Tuesday that it is "very very exciting, and very reassuring to us to see that the whole community is looking for jobs here. We were hoping to have a good turnout. Everybody is very, very excited. That's why we brought the jobs here."
 
Employment Report: Expected 'Summer Spike' Hits
DESPITE SEASONAL UPTICK, JUNE REPORT CONTAINS POSITIVE NEWS 
Mosquitos, humidity and a bump in the unemployment rate - all typical for summer in Florida.
As expected, the unemployment rate in the CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion region rose in June to 6.0 percent, up 0.8 percentage point over the month. Out of an expanded labor force of 195,882 there were 11,756 unemployed, an increase of 1,266 since May.
Rusty Skinner, CareerSource CEO, said that the strength of the labor force, which grew by 1,535 across all three counties, is "encouraging because more people are entering the labor force, showing job seeker optimism."
More important than the seasonal summer spike in the jobless rate, Skinner said, is the over-the-year picture. Compared to June 2015, when the unemployment rate was 6.8 percent, there are 1,516 fewer jobless and 1,422 more employed throughout the three counties.
Inaugural Manufacturing Camp Geared for Success
L-R Rob Adamiak, Mid-Florida Regional Manufacturers Association; Laurie Newkirk, camp instructor/Withlacoochee Technical College; Gloria Bishop, WTC director; Don Taylor, EDACC board president; Rusty Skinner, CareerSource CEO; Dorothy Pernu, APR, 
Duke Energy government and community relations manager; and Brenda Chrisman, CareerSource business services officer.
DUKE ENERGY, EDACC OFFER SUPPORT
Duke Energy, the Economic Development Authority for Citrus County and CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion joined forces to sponsor a summer camp designed to help develop a manufacturing talent pipeline. 

The camp, put on by CareerSource CLM and held at Withlacoochee Technical College, took place the week of July 18. Free to rising high school freshmen and sophomores, it was sponsored by EDACC through a $5,110 contribution which is part of a $450,000 grant from Duke Energy to support local economic development.

Learn More 
First Responder Hopefuls Invited to Ignite Potential  
MARION COUNTY FIRE RESCUE RELAUNCHES PAID FIRE & EMT ACADEMY AFTER 10 YEARS  
For the first time in a decade, Marion County Fire Rescue is offering its paid Fire and EMT Academy designed primarily for those with roots in the three-county area. 

The academy is held in collaboration with CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion, Marion Technical College and the Florida State Fire College. Trainees receive 22-weeks of paid training and guaranteed employment with MCFR upon certification. The job comes with a host of benefits, including enrollment in the Florida Retirement System.
In addition to coordinating informational recruiting sessions, attended by more than 180 potential applicants, CareerSource CLM is also providing scholarships for five of 22 trainees. 
CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion is dedicated to connecting employers with qualified, skilled talent and job seekers with employment and career development opportunities. At no charge.

I'm looking forward to serving as CareerSource CLM's
board chairman for the next two years. 

Michael Biskie, chairman
CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion
CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion
(352) 873-7939
lbyrnes@careersourceclm.com
http://www.careersourceclm.com