CONTENTS
The State & Regions
The Nation
Grant and Competitive Award Opportunities
Upcoming
Meetings, Conferences & Events
Odds & Ends
The State & Regions
DayJet to launch world’s first “Per-Seat, On-Demand” jet
service in Florida. TALLAHASSEE - Governor Jeb Bush this
week announced DayJet™ Corporation has chosen Florida
as the “launch state” for its innovative “Per-Seat,
On-Demand” jet service. In its initial phase, business
travelers in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North
Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee will be among the
nation’s first to have access to “Per-Seat, On-Demand” business
jet service when the company jets take flight later this
year. The company will begin service in Florida with an intra-state,
point-to-point, on-demand network, connecting communities
that have little or no scheduled air service. Joining Governor
Bush for today’s announcement were DayJet President
and CEO Ed Iacobucci, Eclipse President and CEO Vern Raburn
and state and local leaders. "As Florida continues to
emerge as a state of innovation, we're thrilled to welcome
DayJet to Florida. I applaud the company on their innovative
business plan and the use of very light jet aircraft and
a sophisticated real-time logistics system," said Governor
Bush. "DayJet is a good example of cutting-edge, technology-based
company that Florida is committed to fostering. The strength
of Florida's aviation and aerospace sector, including the
availability of a highly skilled workforce, played a large
role in recruiting DayJet's fleet, training and world headquarters
operation. I congratulate and thank all those involved in
securing this project for Florida." DayJet Corporation
is the pioneer of “Per-Seat, On-Demand” business
jet service tailored to the passenger’s individual
schedule and priced at a modest premium to full-fare coach
airfares. Combined with the speed and efficiency of the Eclipse
500 Very Light Jet (VLJ), DayJet is focused on the advancement
of corporate productivity and regional economic development. “Thousands
of regional airports sit underutilized across the nation,
while each day, millions of regional business travelers struggle
to get from point A to point B efficiently,” said DayJet
President and CEO Ed Iacobucci. “Just as Tivo allows
television viewers to watch what they want, when they want,
our ‘Per-Seat, On-Demand’ service will give business
travelers greater freedom to travel when and where they want.
As a Florida-based business, DayJet is proud to initiate
the first ‘Per-Seat, On-Demand’ jet service in
the State of Florida and the greater Southeast, where the
current state of regional transportation encumbers business
professionals’ productivity and quality-of-life and
inhibits the region from realizing its full economic potential.” DayJet
plans call for a region-by region service rollout. Within
a given region, the company will offer “Per-Seat, On-Demand” service
between specific airports, called DayPorts,™ which
are capable of supporting its operations. “Per-Seat” means
passengers only pay for the seat(s) reserved, not the whole
aircraft. “On-Demand” means passengers can fly
at their convenience. Unlike traditional commercial airline
companies, DayJet will not publish schedules, nor operate
on a schedule other than the customer’s. DayJet will
launch service in the State of Florida by year’s end,
providing business travelers with an efficient and convenient
intra-state air transportation network that will quickly
connect South, Central, West, North and Panhandle Florida
communities. Within 12 months of launch, the company expects
to offer service between 20 DayPorts in four states. “The
launch of DayJet’s services in Florida is proof positive
of the continued strength of our state’s economy and
success of the statewide economic development initiative,” said
Enterprise Florida, Inc. President and CEO John Adams. “Florida’s
competitive business climate attracts innovative, high-wage
industries, while our state’s business resources and
investment help them thrive and grow.” DayJet today
also outlined plans to make Tallahassee home to a VLJ Center
of Excellence, the world’s first education center dedicated
to training students on a multitude of very light jet service
operations. DayJet further announced that its permanent headquarters
will reside in Boca Raton, Florida. A central focus of the
DayJet’s planned VLJ Center of Excellence will be the
development of a flight training program and curriculum in
cooperation with leading aeronautical universities to prepare
students and junior pilots for a career flying new-generation
very light jets for on-demand service providers. Construction
is scheduled to begin in 2007 and, when online in 2008, will
be capable of training 2,000 pilots, maintenance and customer
service professionals a year. www.myflorida.com.
AWI releases March 2006 employment/unemployment
report. Florida’s unemployment rate in March 2006 was 3.1 percent,
down from February’s 3.2 percent and down 0.9 percentage
points from 4.0 percent a year ago. Job growth in March continued
to be robust, as the state added 306,100 jobs over the year,
growing at 4.0 percent, more than twice the national rate.
The national rate of growth was 1.6 percent for the same
period. Based on the latest available data, Florida continues
to lead other states in the nation in the number of new jobs
created and has the fastest rate of job growth and the lowest
unemployment rate among the ten most populous states. According
to the Cyberstates report issued by AeA this week, in 2004
Florida added more high tech jobs than any other state except
Virginia. The state continued to rank fourth in the nation
in the total number of high tech jobs, following California,
Texas and New York. Florida's seasonally adjusted unemployment
rate for March 2006 of 3.1 percent was 1.6 percentage points
lower than the national rate of 4.7 percent. Job growth by
sector was led by Professional and Business Services (+77,900
jobs), Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+53,300 jobs),
Construction (+50,200 jobs), Leisure and Hospitality (+34,900
jobs), and Education and Health services (+25,100 jobs).
The construction industry had the fastest rate of growth
of all sectors, growing by 9 percent over the year. Solid
growth also continued in Manufacturing which gained 4,100
jobs over the year. Durable goods manufacturing gained 3,000
jobs, mainly in transportation equipment manufacturing (+1,700
jobs). Manufacturing employment has seen positive growth
since April 2004. The Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-Miami Beach MSA
led the state in employment growth (+73,900 jobs, +3.1 percent),
followed by the Orlando-Kissimmee and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater
MSAs with over-the-year job growth in March 2006 of +47,400
jobs and +40,400 jobs, respectively. In March 2006, all of
Florida’s counties had an unemployment rate equal to
or lower than the national average of 4.8 percent, and 12
of them had unemployment rates of 2.5 percent or lower. Walton
County had the lowest unemployment rate in March at 2.0 percent.
Hendry County was the highest at 4.8 percent. Access the
full report at: http://www.labormarketinfo.com/library/press/release.pdf.
Florida TaxWatch report released: “Putting Minds to
Work” Pays Big Dividends!
The Impact of Florida Community Colleges on Students’ Prosperity
and the State’s Economy: A Solid Return on Investment.
Executive Summary: Florida’s economic, civic, and cultural
health is reliant upon an educated citizenry. Community colleges
make numerous meaningful contributions toward this end. In
this report, Florida TaxWatch examines the impact of Florida’s
community colleges on students’ prosperity and on the
state’s economy. Florida’s 28 community colleges
have a broad mission and multiple responsibilities. They
chiefly provide academic and technical degree education.
Most of their students are part-time. Their average age is
27. During the 2004-2005 fiscal year, more than 800,000 students
sought educational enhancement through the community college
system. Community colleges are part of the state’s
new K-20 education system. The Florida Legislature established
this system in 2002 as a means of providing, within existing
resources, a seamless academic program for the state’s
kindergarten through graduate school students. It emphasizes
a student-centered approach to learning, maximized access
to educational offerings, and a focus on institutional accountability.
These basic principles are explicitly demonstrated within
Florida community colleges. They offer a variety of programs
designed to meet the particular needs and personal objectives
of their students. These institutions have formed solid relationships
with their communities and partnered with school districts,
colleges and universities in an effort to increase student
educational access. They have reflected a commitment to accountability
through public reporting and funding mechanisms. Yet the
landscape in Florida postsecondary education continues to
change. The lines are blurring between programs offered exclusively
by universities and those offered by the community colleges.
As tuitions increase and financial aid tightens, more and
more students are turning to community colleges as a preferred
route. Evidence suggests that Florida community colleges
are ready to meet this challenge. Community colleges receive
state funding. In the 2004-05 fiscal year, Florida’s
community colleges were appropriated $849 million dollars
from General Revenue and another $99 million dollars from
the Lottery. Student fees provided an additional $459 million
dollars in revenue to these institutions. An investment of
this magnitude requires an evaluation of its return. It is
likewise appropriate to conduct a review of existing literature
on community college issues, and to examine relevant state
and national data. It was with these two matters in mind
that Florida TaxWatch, in consultation with Florida State
University’s Center for Economic Forecasting and Analysis,
undertook this study of the state’s community college
system and its impact on the Florida economy. Access the
complete report at: http://www.floridataxwatch.org/resources/pdf/CommunityCollegeFINAL4506.pdf.
Volunteers recognized for promoting financial education
and for service to community. Bartow, FL (April 25, 2006)
-The Polk County Financial Education Council held a Volunteer
Recognition Luncheon today at the Auburndale Civic Center.
More than 40 volunteers were honored for promoting financial
education and for helping low- and moderate-income residents
file their tax returns. In 2006, over 100 volunteers helped
prepare more than 4,070 federal tax returns, saving tax filers
an estimated $813,600 in tax preparation fees and yielding
more than $3.5 million in tax refunds. Volunteers also helped
more than 50 Polk residents graduate from the "Money
Smart" financial literacy program. “You made a
difference in people's pockets, and that really matters," said
guest speaker Dr. Elba Cherry, Neighborhood Services Director
for the Board of County Commissioners. "You helped increase
cash flow in Polk County, particularly in economically challenged
areas. You did a masterful job." City of Lakeland Commissioner
Gow B. Fields also thanked volunteers for donating their
time and expertise. "What you've accomplished has gone
a long way in improving the quality of people's lives as
well as helping them economically," he said. "By
providing hope and a spark of life you're contributing in
a great way to Polk County." Started in 2002, the Polk
County Financial Education Council works to increase economic
wealth for low and moderate income people in Polk County
through education and awareness. The council meets on the
third Tuesday of each month and welcomes all interested partners.
For information on meeting location and dates email: polkfinancialliteracy@yahoo.com or call Daryl Johnson at 863-688-8762. Partners include AARP,
AMSouth Bank, Board of County Commissioners - Neighborhood
Partnerships Office, Board of County Commissioners - Vista
Neighborhood Partnerships Office, City of Lakeland, Devereux
Kids, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Federal Reserve
Bank of Atlanta, Florence Villa Community Development Center,
Florida Rural Legal Services, Florida Southern College, HELP
(Human Environment Linking People, Inc.), Highland City Community
Group, Internal Revenue Service, Lakeland Housing Authority,
Lakeland Housing Authority Resident Advisory Association,
Inc., Mt. Moriah Primitive Baptist Church, National Foundation
for Debt Management, Polk Community College, Polk County
Neighborhood Revitalization, Polk Works One-Stop Centers,
Spectrum Resources, The Financial Literacy Group, VISTA Volunteer
AmeriCorps, West Bartow Front Porch, Word Alive Ministries
Community Service Corp. and Youth and Family Alternatives,
Inc.
Welcoming home 1,000 soldiers after 12 months of
combat. CLEARWATER (April 25, 2006) – Preparations are underway
for the return of more than 1,000 of Florida’s Heroes
from combat in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
Soldiers of the Florida National Guard’s 53rd Separate
Infantry Brigade will be returning home this summer and designated
as the newest of U.S. military veterans. It will be a time
that their families have been anticipating for over a year.
Susan Perryman, wife of the Brigade Commander, and a group
of supporters have worked diligently throughout this time
with the families of those serving overseas to provide community
support services while their husbands, wives, sons and daughters
fight the War on Terror. In an effort to help them welcome
back their loved ones and educate them on all of the benefits
that come with veteran status, the group of supporters has
organized an event entitled the ‘Family Reunion Seminar
for Families of Returning Guardsmen’. “This event
is a much needed resource for the newly separated veterans
and their families,” states Perryman. “Prior
to activation, National Guardsmen were not entitled to the
same benefits as other veterans and the result now is the
lack of awareness of the full array of programs that are
available to them.” The Family Reunion Seminar is designed
to be an educational event for the spouses of the Guardsmen.
It will showcase the many benefits and services available
to them such as counseling services, financial support, Veterans’ Benefits
and assistance with reemployment and training. Childcare
and activities will be also available that day. Participating
agencies include AMVETS, Department of Veterans Affairs,
American Legion, American Red Cross and Military OneSource.
WorkNet Pinellas will be onsite to coordinate access to employment
and training services. The event will be held at the C.W. “Bill” Young
Armed Forces Training Center in Pinellas Park on Saturday,
May 6, 2006 from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM. “The hope is
that the spouses who come will discuss their family needs
and the benefits offered with service providers and then
relay the opportunities to their spouses overseas to determine
a family plan before they return.” Perryman adds, “We
believe this coordinated action will help provide a smoother
transition back home and make the process less traumatic.” Of
course when the big day comes for the unit’s return
a similar event will be held to provide the soldiers and
their families the full range of services and counseling
so that these Florida Heroes can return to their communities
and jobs with the thanks of a grateful nation and the State
of Florida. WorkNet Pinellas is the Workforce Investment
Board, Region 14, for Pinellas County, Florida. WorkNet Pinellas
develops strategies to target the needs of employers then
matches them to job seekers across the employment spectrum,
from assisting those seeking entry level positions in the
workforce to recruiting workers to fill highly skilled management
positions. WorkNet Pinellas is a member of the Employ Florida
statewide network of workforce services and resources. To
locate any of WorkNet’s Pinellas County One Stop Centers
visit www.worknetpinellas.org or call (727) 524-4344.
Best Places to Work in Collier County selected. Naples,
FL: As you look at career opportunities you will want to
consider companies who have designed their organizations
around retaining their top talent. Now you know who those
companies are in Collier County. With 37 companies participating
in the providing data to the Economic Development Council
of Collier County, three companies were recognized in the
First Annual Collier County “Best Place to Work” competition.
Graef Anhalt Schloemer & Associates, Inc., was recognized
in the “50 employee and under” category. Gulfstream
Homes was recognized in the” 50 – 175 employee” category
and Wilson Miller was recognized in the “Over 175 employee” category.
The “Best Places to Work” award program completed
a special study commissioned by the Economic Development
Council of Collier County. The purpose of the program was
to provide vital information to local companies about the
practices they use to attract and retain employees. Each
company participating was required to complete a 40-question
survey that allowed their employment practices to be analyzed
by the consulting firm of Personnel Dynamics Consulting in
Fort Pierce. Every company participating in the survey received
a detailed 20-page report on the results of the survey. Those
companies who are being recognized receive a special award
at the Best Places To Work Awards Breakfast on April 26,
2006. The data was measured on such things as: turnover,
growth, employee training and development and promotion rates;
employee evaluations and feedback; percentage of employee
injuries; diversity of management; benefits offered; and
average increase in pay. Economic Development Board of Collier
County, HR Collier, Wachovia, Gulfstream Insurance, Elias
Brothers Communities and The Thomas Riley Artisan’s,
sponsored the “Best Places to Work” program.
The Nation
CQ Today Midday Update – Wednesday, April 26,
2006, 1:50p.m.
Today in Washington:
House: Considers intelligence authorization bill (HR 5020).
Senate: Continues work on the fiscal 2006 supplemental appropriations
bill (HR 4939) to fund operations in Iraq and hurricane relief.
The President: Participates in a briefing for House members
on the war on terrorism; meets with the 2006 National and State
Teachers of the Year.
In Washington: The Ukrainian Embassy and area Ukrainian churches
hold a 20th anniversary candlelight vigil marking the Chernobyl
disaster. 7 p.m., Taras Shevchenko Monument, 22nd and P Sts.
N.W.
Highlights:
- House GOP Leaders Struggle to Bring
Appropriators in Line on Earmarks
- Senate Shifts Some Defense
Funds to Border Security
- House Panel Adds Funds for F-22s,
Guard Equipment
- Senate Panel Approves EPA Nominee by
Party-Line Vote
Access the full stories at: www.cq.com. SBA administrator resigns (Washington Business Journal - 2:20
PM EDT Tuesday
by Kent Hoover, Washington Bureau Chief). Hector Barreto announced
Tuesday he will resign as head of the Small Business Administration
to become chairman of the Latino Coalition, a Washington advocacy
organization. Barreto has served as SBA administrator since
2001, the second-longest reign of any SBA administrator. During
his tenure, the SBA's budget has been slashed by nearly 40
percent and Congress -- at the agency's request -- stopped
subsidizing the SBA's primary business loan program. Despite
higher fees on the loans, the agency is making twice as many
government-guaranteed loans through the 7(a) program as it
did five years ago.
The SBA also was criticized for its slow processing of disaster
loans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The agency now has
approved more than $8.5 billion in disaster loans to victims
of Katrina, Rita and Wilma, and more than 50,000 storm victims
finally have received their checks from SBA. Earlier this year,
Rep. Nydia Velazquez of New York, the ranking Democrat on the
House Small Business Committee, called for Barreto to resign,
accusing him of mismanaging the agency. SBA spokesman Raul
Cisneros says Barreto was approached by the Latino Coalition
to chair the organization, which advocates policies that help
Hispanic businesses.
"
He decided to take them up on the offer," Cisneros says.
Barreto will remain at the SBA until a new administrator is
confirmed. Before coming to Washington, Barreto owned an insurance
and employee benefits firm in Southern California. He also
was active in Latino business organizations and gave a speech
at the 2000 Republican National Convention, explaining why
George Bush would be good for small businesses. http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2006/04/24/daily23.html.
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities to host teleconference
on Section 8 Voucher Funding in 2007. As Congress begins in
May to consider the 2007 spending bill for HUD programs, important
funding and policy issues for the Section 8 housing voucher
program will be in play. To help state and local housing agencies,
property owners, residents, and other affordable housing advocates
to better understand these issues, the Center on Budget and
Policy Priorities will host a national teleconference on Thursday,
May 4, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. (EST). Drawing on analyses completed
by Barbara Sard and other CBPP researchers, the teleconference
will include: 1) An overview of important voucher funding and
policy changes proposed by the Administration for 2007; 2)
An analysis of the potential impact of the Administration’s
Section 8 budget request on residents, state and local housing
agencies, and communities across the country, and; 3) An insider’s
view of the outlook for Congressional action over coming months.
Participation in the teleconference will be restricted to those
who have registered in advance. Registration is free. To register,
please email the following information to robinson@cbpp.org:
Name, organization, telephone number, and email address.
People who register will receive instructions on how to participate
in the teleconference and access presentation materials, which
will be available to participants online on the day of the
teleconference. Again, only people who have pre-registered
will be permitted to join the call. If you have any questions
about the teleconference, please contact Andy Robinson at robinson@cbpp.org.
For background information on the funding and policy issues
that will impact the Section 8 voucher program in 2007, see
our analysis at: http://www.cbpp.org/3-13-06hous.htm.
Industries form alliance on boomer workforce. In a
first-of-its-kind collaboration, more than 20 industry associations,
including
the American Association of Community Colleges, this month
announced the formation of the Alliance for an Experienced
Workforce. The group will promote strategies for recruiting
and retaining workers age 50 and older and plan for the impending
demographic challenges of a retiring workforce. “Our
research shows retaining an experienced workforce is smart
business,” said Bill Novelli, CEO of AARP, an alliance
member and the leading membership organization for people age
50 and over. “That’s why all of these industry
leaders are coming together to share strategies on how to recruit
and retain the boomer workforce.” Because of the demographic
shift expected by the retirement of the baby boom generation,
many employers are planning to retain a competitive advantage
as the labor market tightens. The alliance aims to cultivate
industry-specific best practices on issues including benefits,
workplace design and recruitment strategies for workers age
50 and older. AARP hopes the alliance will become a catalyst
for bringing government, employers and employees together to
help and encourage workers to stay on the job. “The impact
of millions of baby-boom retirements expected over the next
15 years will be as powerful as their arrival 60 years ago,
and will likely have effects on the American labor market in
unexpected ways,” said Stephanie Powers, CEO of the National
Association of Workforce Boards, an alliance member. Other
associations that are alliance members include the American
Association of Community College Trustees, American Hospital
Association, National Association of Manufacturers and the
U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Access the website for the Alliance
for an Experienced Workforce at: http://www.experiencedworkforce.org/.
Access this article at:
http://www.aacc.nche.edu/Template.cfm?Section=EconomicDevelopment&template=/
ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentI
D=16177&InterestCategoryID=189&Name=Economic%2FWorkforce%20Development&ComingFrom=InterestDisplay
Headlines from NASWA’s Workforce Bulletin – April
21, 2006.
- USDOL REQUESTS INVESTIGATION OF WORKFORCE
SYSTEM SALARIES
- NASWA SUBMITS TESTIMONY TO HOUSE PANEL ON
UI TECHNOLOGY USE
- HOUSE VETS PANEL SCHEDULES HEARING ON
VETS STAFF CREDENTIALING
- VETS ANNOUNCES GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
FOR VWIP AND REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS
- HOW CAN WE SPEND MORE THAN OUR PAYCHECKS?
- ONLINE REGISTRATION
AVAILABLE FOR NASWA's 2006 UI TECHNOLOGY CONNECTION CONFERENCE
For the full articles go to:
http://www.workforceatm.org/sections/members/bulletin/
bulltemp.cfm?results_art_filename=bu042106.cfm.
Grant and Competitive Award Opportunities
and Notices
Featured Opportunity:
(none)
State Grants (none)
Federal Grants
Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Capital Program
New Grantee Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program
Veterans' Workforce Investment Program (VWIP) Grants
Non-Urban Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP)
Urban Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP) Grants
Comprehensive Geriatric Education Program
Advanced Technological Education (ATE)
Rural Housing Section 525 Technical and Supervisory Assistance
(TSA) Grants
Foundation Grants
(none)
Scholarships/Awards
(none)
Upcoming Meetings, Conferences and
Events
Workforce Florida Board and Related Meetings Schedule:
For up-to-date WFI board meeting info please check the calendar at the WFI website.
May 4–5, 2006
Employ Florida Communication Consortium Meeting
Daytona Beach, FL
Hosted by WDB Center for Business Excellence
Contact: Lucia Fishburne, WFI lfishburne@workforceflorida.com
May 17, 2006
Executive Directors Meeting (Partners Meeting)
1:00pm – 4:00pm
Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel
Contact: Peggy Dransfield pdransfield@workforceflorida.com
May 18, 2006
Workforce Florida Board of Directors & Council Meetings
Council/Committee Meetings 10:00am – 12:00pm
Board of Directors Meeting 1:00 – 4:00pm
Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel
Contact: Peggy Dransfield pdransfield@workforceflorida.com
Other Meetings/Conferences/Events:
April 26-28, 2006
Techsouth 2006 Conference
Lafayette, LA
TechSouth, a nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated
to fostering technology-based economic development, is
hosting TechSouth 2006 April 26-28 in Lafayette, Louisiana.
TechSouth promotes collaboration between government,
business, and technology to make technology happen. The
conference includes keynote speakers such as Eng Lim
Goh, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
of SGI and Ron Sege, President and Chief Executive Officer
of Tropos Networks. Seminars will address a variety of
topics including wireless technology, business technology
success stories, and the role of technology following
hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The 2005 conference boasted
1,500 national and international attendees. The conference
is free with VIP passes available for $150. Learn more
about the conference at the TechSouth website: http://www.techsouth.org/
May 8 – 12, 2006
Florida Governor's Hurricane Conference
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
The Florida Governor's Hurricane Conference will celebrate
its 20th anniversary in Ft. Lauderdale May 8 to 12 with
a vast offering of training sessions, working groups,
meetings and receptions. Upon registering for the conference,
attendees can choose from six tracks: Emergency Services,
Human Services, Infrastructure, Policy/Planning, Recovery/Mitigation,
and the catch-all category of "General." (Choosing
a session in one track does not prevent registrants from
choosing other sessions from a different track.) For
more detailed information, visit the conference website.
The early registration deadline is March 31 at midnight.
For more, go to: www.flghc.org.
May 9-10, 2006
Agricultural Business and Workforce System Integration
Forums (U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training
Administration - ETA)
Tampa, FL
The two forums that were postponed from Fall 2005
due to ETA’s hurricane recovery efforts have been
rescheduled for Spring 2006. They will take place on
April 20-21 in Dallas, Texas and on May 9-10 in Tampa,
Florida. There is no registration fee or charge for attending
a forum. However, forum attendees are responsible for
related expenses (travel, lodging, and food). The preliminary
agenda is available at: http://www.tatc.com/integrationforum/AgForumAgenda-Revised1-10-06.pdf
Forum hotel and travel information for the Tampa meeting
is available at: Tampa, FL (May 9-10, 2006) http://www.tatc.com/integrationforum/AgForumAgenda-Revised1-10-06.pdf
If you have other questions about the forums, or if your
participation will require assistive technology or other
disability accommodations, please contact Alisa Tanaka-Dodge
of TATC Consulting at (202) 408-8282 ext. 234 or tanakaa@tatc.com.
Pre-registration will close one week before each forum.
On-site registration will be available.
May 15-16, 2006
Rural Tourism and Economic Development Summit
Gainesville, Florida
This event seeks to unite tourism and economic
development officials to improve quality of life in Rural Florida.
Topics
include:
- Best practices and real world success stories
of both tourism and development
- Using technology to advance
tourism and development in rural Florida
- Ways to implement
the Enterprise Florida “7-point
Plan for Rural Florida.”
For more information, go to www.ncfrpc.org [Click on “Upcoming
Events” and then “Rural Tourism and Economic Development
Summit May 2006”] or call Jayne Moraski 352-955-2200
x.106 or via email moraski@ncfrpc.org.
May 17-19, 2006
2006 Growth Management Summit
Rosen Plaza, Orlando
The Department and the Florida Regional Councils Association
are pleased to announce open registration for the 2006 Growth
Management Summit. Early registration is $175 until April 30
when it will increase to $200. Hotel rooms are $99 until April
30. Visit http://www.dca.state.fl.us/fdcp/dcp/gmw/index.cfm to register on line, to read the registration brochure, and
for other information.
May 23 – 25, 2006
Third Annual Virtual OneStop/Virtual LMI User Conference
Clearwater Beach, Florida
Geographic Solutions will be hosting its third annual
Virtual OneStop/Virtual LMI User Conference in Clearwater Beach,
Florida from May 23 – 25, 2006. Join over 100 colleagues
from over 20 states for workshops, roundtable discussions,
and presentations that address the needs of today’s workforce
management professional. The theme of this year's conference
is Demand Driven Workforce Solutions – using the tools
available to best meet the needs of workforce customers. Participants
who attend the conference will learn about workforce topics
from Geographic Solutions staff, guest speakers, and from the
lessons learned from colleagues and peers. Instruction will
be given about the current Virtual OneStop software and potential
OneStop solutions in a series of structured and interactive
workshops, as well as informal gatherings. Conference attendees
will have the opportunity to build a network among their fellow
workforce professionals, and to learn how to maximize the potential
of the current Virtual OneStop or Virtual LMI software that
is currently available in their state [NOTE: the Employ Florida
Marketplace is a VOS product].
The conference will include:
- Updates and directions from ETA.
- A sneak preview of Virtual OneStop release 8.0.
- Concurrent
Workshops in:
- Case Management
- Assessments
- Reporting and Performance
- Labor Exchange and Job
Spidering
- Labor Market Information
- "Best Practices" – Using Virtual OneStop
to create Demand Driven Workforce Solutions.
- Discussion
of the currently planned Virtual OneStop enhancements (with
customer input to prioritize and amend the planned
enhancements).
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner Tuesday and
Wednesday, breakfast and lunch on Thursday.
An updated agenda is available on Geographic Solutions'
website. This agenda incorporates a number of suggestions
made at
the conclusion of the 2005 conference, including:
- Workshops
focused by function, not software module;
- More tracks: LMI,
Case Management and Reporting, Assessments, Labor Exchange
and Job Spidering;
- More "Best Practices" sessions;
- More opportunities
for informal workshops, "brown bag" lunch
sessions on topics selected by attendees; and
- A chance
to review Geographic Solutions proposed enhancements prior
to the group discussion (the list of proposed enhancements
will be sent to conference registrants approximately
one month in advance).
For more information on this event, including information
on how to register and hotel accommodations, please visit
the
Geographic Solutions website at: http://www.geosolinc.com/conf.asp or
call 727-786-7955 and ask to speak to Vicki Stonecipher. May
23 - 25 2006
National Rapid Response Summit
St. Louis Missouri
Hosted by the Employment and Training Administration (ETA),
the Summit will bring together frontline workforce professionals,
policymakers, economic development professionals, employers,
and other workforce system partners to explore new directions
in Rapid Response.
The theme of this year's Summit is Gateway to Opportunities:
Strengthening Our Communities through Economic and Workforce
Development, and features an agenda that is the result of a
collaborative effort between federal, state, and local levels,
as well as key partners and stakeholders. Registration Deadline:
May 1, 2006. Registration fee: $150.00 USD. To view full information,
including online registration and hotel information, go to:
http://www.doleta.gov/usworkforce/whatsnew/eta_default.cfm?id=1381.
May 30 – June 1, 2006
2006 Disaster Recovery and Data Protection Summit
The 2006 Disaster Recovery and Data Protection Summit,
slated to take place in the Tampa, FL area from May 31 to
June 1, is a unique event focused on business continuity
requirements of organizations threatened directly or indirectly
by hurricanes and tropical storm systems. Severe weather
systems take their toll across a broad geography and often
companies that are not in the direct path of a storm are
impacted by its collateral effects: power outages, telecommunications
failures, infrastructure failures and even civil disturbances.
For more information and registration go to: http://summit.datainstitute.org/.
May 30 - June 1, 2006
Orientation to Supported Employment
Gainesville, FL
The Florida Department of Education's goals to increase
the quantity and improve the quality of education options
and align workforce education programs with skill requirements
of the new economy are among the top priorities for K-12
education. To support these goals, DOE is pleased to provide
information about a three-day collaborative Orientation to
Supported Employment training event being sponsored by the
Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services, the
Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Vocational Rehabilitation
Services, and The Transition Center at the University of
Florida. The three-day training event will be May 30-June
1, 2006, and will provide participants with an introduction
to the employment of individuals with significant disabilities.
See http://www.flse.net/flsupportedemp/nexttraining.html for details. The training event will be held at the Hilton
University of Florida Conference Center, located at 1714
SW 34th Street, Gainesville, Florida 32607. Dale DiLeo, a
nationally known expert in the field of supported employment,
and Sheila Gritz, a leading state trainer in transition for
The Transition Center, will lead the training. This event
has been highly rated by participants, and is most appropriate
for employment specialists/job coaches and school-to-work
transition personnel, but would also benefit supported employment
supervisors, family members, and others.The purposes of the
training are to:
•
identify unique obstacles individuals with significant disabilities
face in getting hired and succeeding in the workplace;
•
acquire information on the supported employment process;
•
identify the legislation, regulations, and funding that govern
the provision of supported employment; and
•
identify provisions for effective assessment and career planning,
marketing and job development, and on-the-job training and
support.
The Association for Persons in Supported Employment has approved
the core competencies addressed in this training. This training
also meets pre-service and continuing education training
requirements by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.
Participants will receive a certificate of completion at
the end of the three-day training. Participants are required
to attend all three days.
A total of 40 persons will be accepted for this training.
Please note that previous trainings on this topic have quickly
filled to capacity. Register online at https://www.secure-online.com/flse/SSL/responseform_orientse.html by April 14, 2006. Participants will receive written confirmation
of acceptance by fax or electronic mail no later than April
19, 2006.
If you have any questions, please contact Tiffany McKenzie
at customerservice@trninc.com. For updates about the training
or supported employment activities in Florida, go online
at http://www.flse.net
June 2-4, 2006
The 8th Annual Family Café Conference
Caribe Royale
Orlando, Florida
The Department of Education is proud to support the 8th
Annual Family Café Conference and Governor’s Summit
on Disabilities as part of our commitment to provide a quality
education to all students. During the annual three-day conference,
individuals with disabilities and special health care needs
and their families have an opportunity to gain valuable knowledge,
to interact with state agencies’ representatives and
private providers, and to expand their network of supports.
Pre-conference registration for the 8th Annual Family Café Conference
will begin on February 14, 2006. There is no conference registration
fee. Limited financial assistance will be provided to families
by Family Café. The financial assistance funds through
Family Café are available on a first-come, first-serve
basis, and have historically been exhausted soon after registration
opens. Therefore, we encourage districts to make families of
students with disabilities aware of the pre-conference registration
and financial assistance as soon as possible. We also encourage
you to financially support families to attend the 8th Annual
Family Café Conference through the use of discretionary
grants. As part of the conference, Governor Jeb Bush will speak
at the 8th Annual Governor’s Summit on Disabilities on
Friday, June 2, 2006, from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Participants
may either register online at www.familycafe.net or call the
Family Café office at 1-888-309-2233 to request a registration
brochure be mailed. Pre-registration ends on March 31, 2006.
June 4-6, 2006
The Southern Innovation Summit
New Orleans, LA
The Southern Innovation Summit will focus on the creation,
accumulation and application of knowledge for the South's businesses,
universities, citizens and governments, and develop strategies
for increasing innovation as part of the South's economic growth
policies. The conference will feature the release of the 2006
Report on the Future of the South, with keynotes and panel
discussions featuring Tennessee Representative Zach Wamp, champion
of the East Tennessee Technology Corridor; Edward Seidel, Director
of Louisiana State University's Center for Computation & Technology;
Dr. Shirley Malcom, Director of Education Programs for the
American Association for the Advancement of Science and Ben
Ritchey, Battelle's Vice President of the Transportation Market
Sector as well as key researchers and strategists from universities
and innovation centers from across the country. Register by
March 31st and save $75 on conference registration fees. To
register online, or to download registration forms, visit:
http://www.southern.org/conf.asp. To access the agenda, visit:
http://www.southern.org/conference/2006conference/agenda.shtml
July 11-13, 2006
Workforce Innovations
Anaheim, California
Co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment
and Training Administration and the American Society for Training
and Development, Workforce Innovations 2006 is one conference
you do not want to miss. The conference is shaping up to be
the biggest and best Workforce Innovations yet, with more than
3,000 participants expected.
Already confirmed conference highlights include:
- A keynote address by respected author and
PBS host, James Burke, on his interpretation of global economic
realities and
what we can do to "Innovate for the Day After Tomorrow."
- An
educational tour to the Tiger Woods Learning Center, a brand
new facility providing youth from diverse backgrounds
with opportunities for career orientation, career exploration
and career preparation.
- Tools and strategies to support you
in regional economic development efforts, whether your community
is just starting
this process or is well underway.
- Dozens of dynamic Super
Workshops, Learning Labs, Roundtable Discussions, and "Quick
Takes" on cutting edge
issues for workforce professionals and their partners from
economic
development, education, community colleges, and industry.
Register now and book your hotel on or after March 31 at:
http://www.workforceinnovations.org/registration.cfm. USDOL’s Workforce Tools of the Trade Workforce Investment
Systemwide Events Page. http://www.workforcetools.org/calendar.asp
Odds and Ends
HBK Book Report: Lead Like an Entrepreneur: Keeping
the Entrepreneurial Spirit Alive Within the Corporation (by Neal
Thornberry, McGraw Hill, 2006). Sometimes you only need look
within your organization to find the innovators who can take
it to the next level. Entrepreneurs work everywhere, not
just in start-ups. According to author Neal Thornberry, the
entrepreneurial spirit can thrive in large corporations,
too, and Lead Like an Entrepreneur describes how it can and
does. After outlining the background and basics of entrepreneurship
in corporations, Thornberry devotes several chapters to types
of entrepreneurial leaders labeled as explorers, miners,
accelerators, and integrators. Market-focused explorers concentrate
on developing new markets, services, and products. Miners
are more concerned with their company’s operational
issues and make the company run more efficiently while serving
customers better. Accelerators are also company-focused but
from a human perspective; they constantly challenge their
colleagues to think and act in more innovative ways. Integrators
embody these three skill sets and look at the big picture,
concentrating on the strategy of the enterprise as a whole.
One example of internal entrepreneurial success highlighted
here is Siemens. Siemens’ idea management program compensates
staff for suggestions on how to save money and promote efficiency.
During a twelve-month period, almost 200 suggestions flowed
in and 80 percent were accepted, saving the organization
an estimated $3.4 million. Thornberry, a PhD and faculty
director of Babson College School of Executive Education,
is founder and president of Impact Strategies, a consulting
firm specializing in organizational change, strategy implementation,
and the development of entrepreneurial leaders within a corporate
environment. Access this book by Sarah Jane Gilbert at: http://hbswk.hbs.edu/book-review.jhtml?t=entrepreneurship&id=5300.
From SOUTHERN COMPASS -- April 25, 2006:
- Cool Community Colleges profiles creative approaches to
economic development.
A new book, Cool Community Colleges, published by the American
Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and written by
Stuart Rosenfeld, principal of Regional Technology Strategies
in
Carrboro, NC, highlights the contributions of community
colleges to arts, culture and creativity. The book draws
on presentations
from a November 2004 conference in Asheville, NC that explored
ways community colleges can and do support creative economies.
The book offers information on how community colleges can
more effectively integrate the arts, design and culture
into programs to build creative economies and contribute
to economic
development; highlights successful programs both nationally
and internationally; and suggests actions for community
colleges. The book is available for $23 through the AACC
at: http://www.aacc.nche.edu/Template.cfm?Section=NewReleases&Template=/
Ecommerce/ProductDisplay.cfm&ProductID=494.
- New report shows state data on declining middle
class & growing
underclass. Over the last twenty years, America’s
middle class has actually shrunk creating a growing underclass.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and Economic
Policy
Institute report, Pulling Apart, highlights the changes
in income disparity by state. From 1980-2000, the income
disparity
in 28 states increased with wealthy families becoming relatively
richer when compared to their middle and low-income counterparts.
Only three southern states were able to sustain a strong
middle class over the last two decades, Georgia, Missouri,
and Oklahoma. To see whether your state has a shrinking
middle class visit: http://www.cbpp.org/1-18-00sfp.htm.
Quote for the Week:
“The
test of courage comes when we are in the minority.
The test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority.
”
Ralph W. Sockman |
