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SEPT 2016

It has certainly been a busy summer and CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion is gearing up for an equally busy fall as we ready to introduce you to the Talent Center at the College of Central Florida. This exciting new joint venture with CF is designed to meet the needs and expectations of employers interested in recruiting job candidates with professional and technical skills, as well as college graduates. The Open House is set for Sept. 14. 
 
Board Update: Kathy Judkins Steps in as Chair
Kathy Judkins is the new chair of CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion's board of directors, filling the seat recently vacated by Michael Biskie who moved from the area. Judkins, who has been with SECO Energy since 2007, is currently the company's deputy director for civic, charitable and government affairs. She also worked nearly 12 years as business services director for CareerSource CLM, then known as Workforce Connection. Judkins, who will serve a two-year term as board chair, is also a board member of the Ocala/Marion County Chamber & Economic Partnership and is past chair of United Way of Marion County.
Q: Why is CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion's mission important to you and our communities?
A: The mission is to continue to meet the needs of both job seeking and business customers within its service communities. It is important because CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion maximizes opportunities to collaborate with education and workforce development partners to enhance economic prosperity for its service communities.
Q: How has the workforce changed in recent years and what do we need to do to meet the changing needs? 
A: In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in the workforce. For example, several generations (Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Generations X and Millennials) now coexist in the workplace causing employers the need to balance the generation spectrum. It's important CareeerSource continues to stand equipped to assist employers with their hiring practices, retention strategies and technology training tactics accordingly.
Q: What would you like employers to understand about CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion?
A:  I would like for employers to understand that CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion is an organization that can provide valuable solutions to their workforce needs. Staff is equipped and ready to assist you with your hiring and training needs.
New Talent Center at CF Readies for Grand Opening
The Talent Center at the College of Central Florida is an affiliate of CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion in partnership with the college. 

The new joint venture is located at CF's Enterprise Center, 3003 SW College Road, Suite 101, in Ocala. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Dr. James Henningsen, CF's president, describes the Talent Center as a "keystone" initiative that paves the way for comprehensive job placement for the college as well as professional and technical candidate recruitment. While housed at CF's Ocala campus, the Talent Center is available to employers, job candidates, postsecondary students and graduates regardless of where they live, work or attend school.

The Talent Center's Open House takes place Wednesday, Sept. 14 beginning with facility tours for the general and business community at 8 a.m. and official ribbon cutting at 8:30 a.m. Students are encouraged to visit the center during the day's Club Rush activity hour. For information about the Talent Center call 352-840-5762 or 844-364-9859.
 
Employment Report: Summer Uptick Continues
Despite powerhouse hiring events in July, the seasonal summer spike in unemployment could not be smacked down.
The unemployment rate in the CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion area was 6.4 percent in July, up 0.3 percent over the month but down from 7.1 percent a year ago. Out of a labor force of of 194,776, there were 12,377 unemployed.
The uptick in unemployment is typical during the summer due to changes in public school support and agricultural employment as well as college students returning home looking for work before returning to school in the fall. The August employment report will be released September 16.
Job Fairs, Youth Expo Focus on Young Adults
Coming Up: Fall Job Fair at Paddock Mall
The College of Central Florida XCEL-IT program, in partnership with CareerSource CLM and Talent Center, will hold a fall job fair at the Paddock Mall on Sept. 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The hiring event is ideal for those looking for seasonal jobs and internships. To date, businesses participating include American Panel, ClosetMaid, Custom Window Systems, Genesis Healthcare Oakhurst Center, Ocala Community Care, On Top of the World, Queen of America, Silver Springs Bottled Water, Sitel, Snider Fleet Solutions, Southeast Milk, The Centers, Time Customer Service and Vertex Consulting. 

For more information, call 352-854-2322. 

Citrus County Youth Career Expo and Job Fair 

On July 26, more than 40 recent high school graduates attended the inaugural Youth Career Expo and Job Fair held at the College of Central Florida's Citrus County campus in Lecanto. The young adults met with hiring representatives from AutoZone, Brannen Bank, Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters, Citrus County Sheriff's Office, SECO Energy, Stevenson Dental Technology and Teleiman, LLC.

Also on hand were representatives from CF,
Metro Technical Career Institute, Rasmussen College and Withlacoochee Technical College along with Mid Florida Community Services, United Way of Citrus County and Eckerd Workforce Development, CareerSource CLM's youth services provider.


Learn More 
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.

This is an exciting time in workforce development and I'm looking forward to serving as your CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion's board of directors chairman.
                                       
                                      Kathy Judkins, chairman
                                      CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion
CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion
(352) 873-7939
lbyrnes@careersourceclm.com
http://www.careersourceclm.com