CONTENTS
The State & Regions
The Nation
Grant and Competitive Award Opportunities
Upcoming
Meetings, Conferences & Events
Odds & Ends
The State & Regions
$1,154,600 awarded to impact critical defense-related
reinvestment projects. TALLAHASSEE - Governor Jeb Bush this week awarded
Defense Reinvestment Grants totaling $1,154,600 to ten different
communities in support of military base retention and economic
diversification in defense-dependent areas. Overseen by the
Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development,
in coordination with Enterprise Florida Inc. and the Florida
Defense Alliance, the Florida Defense Reinvestment Grant
Program awards grants annually on a priority project basis
to communities hosting military installation. “I would
like to thank the Florida Legislature for its support and
commitment to this program. The defense reinvestment grant
program enables us to assist our state’s military host
communities to better support their resident installations
and the men and women who serve on them,” said Governor
Jeb Bush. “This program has gone a long way towards
making Florida the most military friendly state in the nation
and I hope the next Governor and the Florida Legislature
will continue to support this valuable program.” The
Defense Reinvestment Grant Program is designed to reinforce
positive relations between the community and the defense
facility, to help communities develop economic diversification
strategies, as well as to implement base reuse programs.
The Program encourages communities to analyze their economic
reliance on defense expenditures and formulate specific plans
to respond to the nation's defense priorities. Florida’s
Defense Grant Program has received steady support from the
Florida Legislature which recognizes the importance of the
defense sector to Florida’s economy. The reinvestment
grants are awarded based on an independent review conducted
by a panel named by the Governor’s Office of Tourism,
Trade, and Economic Development in cooperation with Enterprise
Florida Inc. and the Florida Defense Alliance. In reviewing
the proposals, the judges considered the potential or actual
impact of defense downsizing on the community and the defense
industry, as well as the cost effectiveness and significance
of the proposed plan. Florida is home to 21 military installations
and three unified commands. Economically significant, defense-related
spending in Florida has a total annual impact exceeding $44
billion and employing over 714,000. For more information
on Florida’s $44 billion defense sector, or to receive
a copy of the Governor’s Record of Accomplishment on
Defense from 1999-2006, please visit www.myflorida.com
$4,278,500 awarded to select defense-related infrastructure
projects statewide. TALLAHASSEE - Governor Jeb Bush has announced
defense grant awards totaling more than $4.2 million to 13
projects throughout the state to improve defense infrastructure.
The Florida Defense Infrastructure Grant Program provides
funds annually to communities hosting military installations
on a priority project basis, and as budget appropriations
permit. “The defense infrastructure grant program allows
us to support our defense-related assets and their host communities
by investing in important infrastructure improvements,” said
Governor Jeb Bush. “Florida has become the clear leader
in military-state relations and this program is just one
way our state contributes to the preparedness, efficiency,
and overall mission of our nation’s armed forces.” Established
in 1999 by Governor Bush and funded by the Florida Legislature,
the Defense Grant Program addresses base infrastructure needs.
Without such infrastructure enhancements, the installations
would be less effective in carrying out their missions and
training. The Defense Grant Program has received steady backing
from the Florida Legislature which recognizes of the importance
of the defense sector to Florida’s economy. The Defense
Infrastructure Grants were awarded based on an independent
review conducted by a panel named by the Governor’s
Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in cooperation
with Enterprise Florida, Inc., and its Florida Defense Alliance.
The review panel examined issues such as the ability to increase
base efficiencies, dual-use opportunities, economic impact,
cost factors, and the extent to which other funds were leveraged.
Florida is home to 21 military installations and three unified
commands. Economically significant, defense-related spending
in Florida has a total annual impact exceeding $44 billion
and employing more than 714,000. For more information on
Florida’s $44 billion defense sector or to receive
a copy of the Governor’s Record of Accomplishment on
Defense from 1999-2006, please contact the Office of Tourism,
Trade, and Economic Development at (850) 487-2568. For the
complete press release and list of grant awardees go to:
www.myflorida.com.
Florida maintains “AAA” Bond Rating in Annual
Review by Standard And Poor’s Corporation. TALLAHASSEE — Governor
Jeb Bush yesterday touted Standard and Poor’s Corporation’s
decision to affirm Florida’s “AAA” bond
rating in its annual review of the state. “AAA” is
the firm’s highest rating. Standard and Poor’s
cited Florida’s strong, conservative financial and
budget management practices in affirming the “AAA” rating,
first issued in 2005.
“
Undaunted by eight hurricanes in two years, Florida’s
economy is surging. I am pleased to see that Standard and
Poor’s has recognized that our low-tax, pro-business
approach to government is working for Florida,” said
Governor Bush. “Our reasonable tax structure and record-level
financial reserves have also helped to create stability and
opportunities for long-term growth, as evidenced by this
rating decision.” Florida’s strong financial
position has enabled the state to increase funding for economic
development and provide tax relief to residents and businesses.
Florida’s unemployment rate is 3.3 percent, 1.5 percentage
points below the national rate of 4.8 percent. The state
continues to be a national model for job creation with an
annual job growth rate that is more than twice the national
average.
In its credit report released last week, Standard and Poor’s
cited several factors in reaffirming the “AAA” rating,
including:
•
The state's strong and conservative financial and budget
management practices,
•
Strong revenue performance during the past several years,
•
Budget pressures that have been effectively managed as the
state continues funding various constitutional amendments
and the service demands of a growing population,
•
A service-based economy with growth continuing to outpace
the national economy as measured by employment, population
and gross state product,
•
Solid long-term economic growth prospects and a strong and
competitive position in the Southeast,
•
Average income levels, and
•
A moderate debt burden that should remain stable as a result
of legal guidelines regarding debt affordability.
In 2005, two other major rating agencies increased Florida’s
credit rating. Moody’s Investors Service upgraded Florida’s
general obligation bond rating from Aa2 to Aa1, marking the
first change in the state’s rating since it was initially
assigned in the early 1970s. Fitch Ratings also upgraded
the state to its 'AA+' full faith and credit bond rating.
For more information on Florida’s growing and robust
economy, please visit www.myflorida.com.
Creating more than 300 new jobs in Florida, Lockheed
Martin will assemble, check out and test the Orion Crew
and Service
Modules at Kennedy Space Center. PORT CANAVERAL – Governor
Jeb Bush today joined senior Lockheed Martin officials, local
industry representatives, elected officials and community
leaders to celebrate the selection of Lockheed Martin to
design and build the next-generation human space flight crew
transportation system for the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA). With an initial contract value of
approximately $4 billion, the Lockheed proposal will employ
hundreds of Floridians as the company conducts final assembly,
check out, and acceptance testing of the space vehicle system,
dubbed “Orion,” at NASA’s Kennedy Space
Center (KSC). Orion is expected to replace the retiring Space
Shuttle fleet. "Awarding this contract marks an important
milestone for Florida as we partner with Lockheed Martin
to fulfill our nation’s new space vision and program
needs,” said Governor Jeb Bush. “Recognizing
our robust space industry, skilled workforce, and capable
infrastructure, Lockheed Martin chose Florida for this important
mission, creating a wealth of jobs for our citizens. We warmly
welcome Lockheed Martin’s new and expanded activity
in our state and wish the entire Orion team much success
from their base at the Space Coast.” In partnership
with NASA, Lockheed Martin will serve as the prime contractor
to lead a world-class industry team that includes Honeywell,
Orbital Sciences Corporation, United Space Alliance, Hamilton
Sundstrand and Aerojet. Combined, the Orion team will support
the design, test, build, integration and operational capability
of the new space vehicle system. As a result of Lockheed
Martin’s planned Orion-associated activity at KSC,
more than 300 new high-wage jobs will be created in Florida. "We
are very excited about what the future holds for Orion as
we work together with NASA and the State of Florida to make
the vision for a new generation of space explorers an exciting
reality," said Cleon Lacefield, vice president and Orion
program manager at Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. "The
support and incentives which Governor Bush and the State
of Florida offered us for the Orion program helped make our
proposal successful and ensures we will have a skilled workforce
vital to America's space program. Orion is going to call
upon and inspire a whole new generation." Lockheed Martin’s
commitment to Florida was encouraged by the state’s
proposed investment of $45.5 million to cover training, transportation
infrastructure, facility improvements and equipment associated
with the Orion program. $35 million will be used to upgrade
and modernize the existing facilities at KSC to accomplish
final assembly and check out, and $10.5 million will go toward
the development and training of a new generation of employees
in Florida. Orion, an advanced crew capsule design utilizing
state-of-the-art technology, is a key element of NASA’s
Vision for Space Exploration and will succeed the Space Shuttle
in transporting a new generation of human explorers to and
from the International Space Station, the Moon, and eventually
to Mars and beyond. Orion will transport up to six crew members
to and from the International Space Station and up to four
crew members to the moon. The new crew vehicle is designed
to be safer, more reliable, more affordable, and more operationally
efficient than previous human space flight systems. www.myflorida.com.
Increase in Florida minimum wage and poster requirement
announced. TALLAHASSEE —The Agency for Workforce Innovation
announced that Florida’s minimum wage will be $6.67
per hour effective January 1, 2007 for all hours worked in
Florida. This represents an hourly increase of 27 cents over
the current state minimum wage of $6.40 per hour. Florida’s
minimum wage was created in a constitutional amendment approved
by voters on November 2, 2004, and covers all employees in
the state covered by the federal minimum wage. The increase
in the minimum wage this year represents a 4.2 percent change
in the federal consumer price index for urban wage earners
and clerical workers in the South Region for the 12-month
period prior to September 1, 2006. Florida’s new minimum
wage will be $1.52 more than the current $5.15 federal minimum
wage. Employers must pay their employees a wage not less
than the amount of the hourly state minimum wage for all
hours worked in Florida. The definitions of “employer,” “employee,” and “wage” for
state purposes are the same as those established under the
federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). For “tipped
employees” meeting eligibility requirements for the
tip credit under the FLSA, employers may count tips actually
received as wages under the FLSA, but the employer must pay “tipped
employees” a direct wage in an amount equal to the
minimum wage of $6.67 minus $3.02 (which, as required by
Florida’s Constitution, is the 2003 tip credit existing
under the FLSA), or a direct hourly wage of $3.65 on January
1, 2007. Employees who are not paid the minimum wage may
bring a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction
against the employer or any person violating Florida’s
minimum wage law. The state attorney general may also bring
an enforcement action to enforce the minimum wage. As stated
in Florida’s Constitution, the case law, administrative
interpretations, and other guiding standards under the FLSA
should be the guide regarding the construction of Florida’s
constitutional amendment creating the minimum wage. FLSA
information and compliance assistance can be found at http://www.dol.gov/dol/compliance/comp-flsa.htm.
Beginning in 2007, section 448.109, Florida Statutes, requires
that employers who must pay their employees the Florida minimum
wage to post a minimum wage notice in a conspicuous and accessible
place in each establishment where such employees are employed.
This poster requirement is in addition to the federal requirement
to post a notice of the federal minimum wage. Florida’s
minimum wage poster is available for downloading in English
and Spanish from the Agency for Workforce Innovation’s
webpage at: http://www.floridajobs.org/resources/fl_min_wage.html.
The federal poster can be downloaded from the U.S. Department
of Labor website at: http://www.dol.gov/esa/regs/compliance/posters/flsa.htm.
RITA announces Tier I University Transportation
Center (UTC) Designation – Two Florida Universities on the list. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Research and
Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) has announced
the ten universities that have been selected to receive the
Tier I University Transportation Center (UTC) designation.
The universities were chosen as the result of an open competitive
selection process outlined in Section 5402 of the Safe, Accountable,
Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for
Users (SAFETEA-LU). Each Regional UTC is authorized under
SAFETEA-LU to receive up to $1 million in each of FY 2007-2009,
which must be matched dollar-for-dollar with non-federal
funding. Universities selected as Tier I UTCs are:
* Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
* Iowa State University
* Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
* San José State University
* University of Florida
* University of Idaho
* University of Maryland
* University of Michigan
* University of South Florida
* University of Southern California
The UTC Program was initiated in 1987 with the mission “to
advance U.S. technology and expertise in the many disciplines
comprising transportation through the mechanisms of education,
research and technology transfer at university-based centers
of excellence.” According to RITA, Tier I UTCs are
expected to work collaboratively with DOT and state and local
transportation stakeholders, and to provide leadership in
making national and regional contributions to solving immediate
and long-range transportation challenges. For the complete
release go to: http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=6825.
Orlando selected for National League of Cities Savings
Program. Orlando is one of the six cities nationwide that have been
selected to participate in the second phase of the National
League of Cities’ Cities Helping Families Build Assets
technical assistance project Since September 2005, the YEF
Institute has sponsored a project to help municipal leaders
take action toward helping low-income, working families build
assets. The Cities Helping Families Build Assets Project
(CBA Project) will build municipal leaders’ capacity
to help families increase their economic stability. The cities
selected for Phase 1 of the project visited Phoenix, Baltimore,
Indianapolis, Miami, and San Francisco - cities that already
have asset-building strategies in place - in order to develop
local asset-building action plans. Phase 1 cities include:
Burlington, Vt.; Durham, N.C.; Grayson, Okla.; Itta Bena,
Miss.; Louisville; Milwaukee; Orlando; Savannah, Ga.; and
Seattle. In Phase 2 of the project, six cities have been
selected to receive customized technical assistance as they
implement their local action plans: Burlington, Itta Bena,
Louisville, Orlando, Savannah, and Seattle. The YEF Institute
will support participating cities’ efforts by providing
peer networking opportunities, customized technical assistance,
access to national experts, and other relevant resources.
For more information and to access resources generated from
Phase 1 go to: http://www.nlc.org/iyef/program_areas/family_economic_success/7495.cfm.
Reserve your ticket for the WCF’s 2006 ‘State
of the Workforce’ Summit. WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA
(WCF) will host the fourth annual ‘State of the Workforce’ summit
on Tuesday, October 31, 2006. More than 400 CEOs, human resource
professionals, business owners, elected officials and managers
are expected to participate in the half-day summit consisting
of 12 breakout sessions and a luncheon. The keynote speaker
will be Desi Williamson, author of Get Off Your Assets! How
to Unleash the Power in You. The Summit will be held at the
Wyndham Orlando Resort on International Drive from 8 a.m.
- 1 p.m. Tickets for the event are $25 for individuals and
$250 for corporate packs of ten (includes priority seating
at luncheon). Advance registration is required. Keynote speaker
Desi Williamson has 25 years experience on the front line
in sales, management, marketing and building multi-million
dollar businesses and is an expert at helping organizations
increase productivity through empowered people. He's successfully
developed the potential in people for powerhouse corporations
such as Johnson & Johnson, PepsiCo, Rain Bird Sprinkler
Manufacturing, Johnson Wax Company and Cadbury Schweppes.
He is the author of a best selling video learning system
for personal development, three audiocassette programs and
a book titled, Get Off Your Assets! How to Unleash the Power
in You.
Breakout sessions for the Summit are listed below (subject
to change):
- Practical Approach to Hiring and
Firing
- Inside Look at the Family Medical leave Act (FLMA)
- Hot
Issues with Wage and Hour
- College Recruiting
- State of the Workforce Survey Results
- Your Next Employees – A
Look at Generation X, Y and Digital
- Eliminating Your Companies
Skills Gaps
- What Happens Now – Looking at Disaster
and Contingency Plans
- Hiring Customer Service Superstars
- What Makes Employees
Stay – Employee Retention in
Today’s Workforce
- Develop an Effective Internship
or Apprenticeship Program
For more information and to register in advance (required)
go to: http://www.workforcecentralflorida.com/employers/state_of_wfs.asp.
Free seminar for supervisors, managers and HR professionals. Ocala,
Fla. – CLM Workforce Connection is hosting a
free, half-day seminar for business professionals on Oct.
12, 2006 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Klein Conference
Center located on the Ocala campus of Central Florida Community
College. There is a challenge in our present workforce – the
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) affirms that the U.S. is
facing a 10 million-worker shortage by 2010. The 2000 Census
states that 21.9 percent of the population in Florida ages
21-64 has a disability and only 58.3% of those with a disability
are employed. One solution offered by CLM Workforce Connection
is to hire people with disabilities. This informative seminar
is being conducted in partnership with Hiring Practices Initiatives
to provide local businesses with successful strategies for
including people with disabilities in the workplace. During
lunch there will be a panel of local employers and their
employees with disabilities featured demonstrating how they
are able to have success despite the employee having a disability.
Breakout session topics include:
- Tax incentives for businesses that
hire people with disabilities
- Successful hiring practices
being used in local school
districts and government agencies
- Affordable workplace
assistive technology and accommodations
- Complying with
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Getting to know
local resources and how they can help your company
Breakfast and lunch will be provided, so reservations are
required. Contact Emma Eldred at 352-873-7939 ext. 1234
or eeldred@clmworkforce.com. This program has been approved
for four recertification credits for PHR and SPHR through
the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI). CLM
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 of Florida. CLM Workforce Connection
sets policy and directs expenditures of approximately
$5 million in funds that underwrite services provided through
the One Stop Workforce Connection offices. In 2004-2005,
approximately 1,500 businesses and 30,000 career seekers
received services through the One Stop Workforce Connection.
Services include professional and technical recruitment,
training, job fairs and financial incentives. Equal Opportunity
Employer/Program. Workforce welcomes those with disabilities.
If you need special accommodations, please call 352-732-1700
ext 279. The One Stop Workforce Connection, a member
of
the Employ Florida network of workforce resources, is
funded by and a program of CLM Workforce Connection...Employment
solutions that work for business. For more information,
contact:
Emma Eldred, CLM Workforce Connection, email: eeldred@clmworkforce.com.
The Nation
Congress approves CR to fund Labor Programs at FY
2006 Levels. The continuing resolution (CR) was inserted and approved with
the fiscal year 2007 Defense appropriations bill (H.R. 5631)
and will fund Labor programs at their FY 2006 appropriated
levels through November 17. Other programs funded under the
CR will be funded at the lower of the two levels approved by
the House or the Senate. Because the House has yet to approve
its fiscal year 2007 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education
spending bill (H.R. 5647), Congress decided to fund programs
under the bill at the fiscal year 2006 level until it approves
final fiscal year 2007 spending levels. Congress is scheduled
to return to session on November 13 and to complete decisions
on remaining unfinished spending bills before the Thanksgiving
Holiday. The ability of Congress to complete remaining spending
bills in a week and a half following the election could prove
difficult. Some on Capitol Hill believe Congress might punt
final decision-making on unfinished fiscal year 2007 spending
bills into the New Year. All issues on timing will remain in
the realm of speculation until after the November 7 elections.
Please contact Curt Harris, NASWA Congressional Affairs Director
at 202.434.8020 with questions or comments.
U.S. Department of Labor releases $43 million to states for
Trade Adjustment Assistance
funds to help states train trade-impacted workers for new careers. WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today
announced the release of more than $43 million to aid states
in providing job training, job search assistance and relocation
assistance to workers who lose their jobs for trade-related
reasons. "We want to do everything we can for these workers.
This $43 million will provide workers with access to skills
training, job search and relocation assistance, and direct
income support as they build new careers," said Secretary
Chao.
The funds are amounts remaining from fiscal year 2006 resources
maintained in a reserve account the department set up under
the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program. They will be
distributed immediately along with initial allotments for fiscal
year 2007, which begins October 1. Congress allocates approximately
$220 million annually for TAA training. In fiscal 2004, the
Labor Department's Employment and Training Administration (ETA)
began a new system for disbursing the allocations using a formula
that aligns resources with state training needs. Each year,
75 percent of available TAA funds, or $165 million, is released
on Oct. 1. The remaining 25 percent is reserved for qualifying
states experiencing large, unexpected layoffs during the year.
States may request additional money from the reserve account
after having spent at least 50 percent of initially allocated
formula funds. In addition, the Department of Labor has authorized
a one-time $250,000 lump sum for each state to upgrade their
information systems for the purpose of improving TAA data and
performance. For more information on Trade Adjustment Assistance,
visit www.dol.gov/dol/topic/training/tradeact.htm. For this
press release and links to the funding list by state go to:
http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20061718.htm.
Active-Duty Reservists get relief on retirement plan
payments: Refunds of 10-percent tax available back to 2001. IR-2006-152,
Sept. 28, 2006 WASHINGTON — Military reservists called
to active duty can receive payments from their individual retirement
accounts, 401(k) plans and 403(b) tax-sheltered annuities,
without having to pay the early-distribution tax, according
to the Internal Revenue Service. The newly-enacted Pension
Protection Act of 2006 eliminates the 10-percent early-distribution
tax that normally applies to most retirement distributions
received before age 59½. The new law provides this relief
to reservists called to active duty for at least 180 days or
for an indefinite period. Eligible reservists activated after
Sept. 11, 2001, and before Dec. 31, 2007, qualify for relief
from this tax. This tax is often referred to as the 10-percent
early-withdrawal penalty. Regular income taxes continue to
apply to these payments in most cases. Early distributions
from both Roth and traditional IRAs received by a reservist
while on active duty qualify for this relief. Likewise, a reservist’s
elective contributions and earnings distributed to him or her
by employer sponsored 401(k) plans and 403(b) tax-sheltered
annuities also qualify for this relief. Because this relief
is retroactive, eligible reservists who already paid the 10-percent
tax can claim a refund by using Form 1040X to amend their return
for the year in which the retirement distribution was received.
Eligible reservists should write the words, "active duty
reservist," at the top of the form. In Part II Explanation
of Changes, the reservist should write the date he or she was
called to active duty, the amount of the retirement distribution
and the amount of early-distribution tax paid.
Reservists can choose to re-contribute part or all of these
distributions to an IRA. Ordinarily, these special contributions
must be made within two years after the reservist's active-duty
period ends. However, if the reservist's active duty ended
before Aug. 17, 2006 (the date the new law was enacted), he
or she will have until Aug. 17, 2008, to make these special
contributions. No deduction is available for these contributions.
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=163054,00.html.
NASWA Workforce Bulletin Headlines - September 29, 2006.
- CONGRESS SET TO APPROVE LONG-TERM CONTINUING
RESOLUTION BEFORE RECESSING THROUGH THE NOVEMBER 7 ELECTIONS
- BILL TO REAUTHORIZE SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT
PROGRAM REQUIRES INCREASE IN PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYMENT
- WRIS
DEADLINE EXTENDED UNTIL OCTOBER 31
- USDOL ISSUES FINAL RULE
TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY OF UI INFORMATION
- ETA TO TRAIN
STATES ON FOREIGN LABOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
- HEALTH
INDUSTRY DRIVING JOB CREATION OF LAST FIVE YEARS
- NASWA
WELCOMES NEW AFFILIATES
- STATE LEADERSHIP FORUM - REGISTER
TO ATTEND NOVEMBER 1
- NASWA 2006 ANNUAL NATIONAL LMI DIRECTORS
CONFERENCE OCTOBER 10-13, 2006
Access the complete articles at: http://www.workforceatm.org/sections/members/bulletin/
bulltemp.cfm?results_art_filename=bu092906.htm. Grant and Competitive Award Opportunities
and Notices
Featured Opportunity:
(none)
State Grants Reminder!
Employ Florida Workforce Excellence Awards nominations due
to AWI on Monday, October 9th. For more information and submission
forms choose the “Florida Annual Workforce Award” at:
http://www.floridajobs.org/resources/workforce_res.html.
Federal Grants
Rural Solid Waste Management Grant Program
Rural Technical Assistance and Training Grant
Regular Upward Bound (UB), Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) and
Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS) Program Grants (Repeat)
Nursing Workforce Diversity Grants (Repeat)
Foundation Grants
Toyota Tapestry Science Teachers Grants Program
Public Relations Grants
Scholarships/Awards
ING Unsung Heroes Award Program
County Leadership Conservation Awards
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.
October 18, 2006
WFI Council Chairmen Teleconference - 9:00am - 10:00am
WFI Executive Committee Teleconference - 10:00am - 11:30am
November 29, 2006
Executive Directors (Partners) Meeting
Orlando, FL
Location TBD
November 30, 2006
Board of Directors, Council & Committee Meetings
Orlando, FL
Location TBD
Other Meetings/Conferences/Events:
Florida's Future Corridors Statewide Workshop
October 4 - 5, 2006
Sheraton Suites Tampa Airport
Tampa, Florida
This important workshop will provide statewide partners
and other interested parties with opportunities to comment
on, discuss and work toward consensus on draft criteria and
supporting policies for identifying and developing future corridors
in Florida. The workshop will include discussion of maximizing
the use of existing corridors, including the potential for
modifying what modes should be included and how each could
be used to move people and freight, as well as the potential
need for new corridors. A more detailed agenda will be available
later. Because attendance is expected to be high, we ask that
everyone submit a meeting registration form as far in advance
as possible (but we will have a late registration starting
at 8:00 am on October 4). In addition, since only a limited
number of rooms have been reserved, anyone needing a room should
reserve it as soon as possible, but no later than 9/18/06.
Please go to http://www.dot.state.fl.us/planning/corridor/ for the registration and hotel links.
October 5, 2006 - 3:00 - 4:00 P.M. EDT
A Telecast on Regional Economic Development in Florida
This telecast will showcase “best practice” examples
of regional economic development in Florida, and will feature
interviews with Florida Governor Jeb Bush and other leaders
from the public and private sectors, who are collaborating
across political boundaries to meet the challenges of 21st
century economic development. The Miami and Tampa/Clearwater
Regions in the South Central Florida Mega Region will be featured.
The show will also feature a part of NARC’s 5th Annual
Metropolitan Regions Forum that will focus on Florida, and
bring together the twenty largest metropolitan regions across
the United States. Topics addressed will include: infrastructure
(transportation, environmental, financing), linkages to the
global economy, workforce development, and faith-based initiatives.
This Economic Development Today telecast, the last in the 2005-2006
series, is brought to you as part of a cooperative agreement
between the Economic Development Administration (EDA), The
International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and the National
Association of Regional Councils (NARC). This telecast is FREE.
To download a pdf version of the flier and print a registration
form, visit the NARC website at: http://narc.org/uploads/File/07Oct5Telecast.pdf
Return the form via email to Tadej@narc.org, fax to 202.986.1038
or mail to the National Association of Regional Councils, 1666
Connecticut Ave NW #300, Washington, DC 200009.
If you are a cable or public television station we encourage
you to tape this program and broadcast it to your viewers at
any time. Please let us know how many viewers you are capable
of reaching. In order to view the telecast, you will need to
be in a location that can receive KU or C Band capabilities
or DISH Network (DISH Network is broadcasted at the same time.)
This telecast will not be accessible through the internet.
If your building/office does not have these capabilities, we
suggest that you try and contact other businesses, associations,
or organizations that you think might be interested in hosting
you. Often, universities and community colleges have these
capabilities and are willing to host participants. If you have
any questions or concerns with finding a site, please email
Peggy Tadej at the NARC office or call 202-986-1032 x 224.
October 5, 2006 - 2:00pm Eastern
1:00pm/Central, 12:00pm/Mountain, 10:00am/Pacific - 90 minutes
Webinar: Competency Model Clearinghouse - Tools for Talent
Development
The webinar for the Competency Model Clearinghouse
was developed to provide insights about competency models and
how
they can be used in the Workforce Investment System to ensure
that the skill needs of the business community are met. This
web-based Clearinghouse can be used along with interactive
tools to develop a customized competency model for a critical
industry or occupation within an economic region. It includes
a searchable database that shows how competencies form the
foundation for the development of curriculum, assessment instruments,
certifications, and skill standards. The Clearinghouse also
illustrates how competency models have been used successfully
in recruitment efforts, to develop career pathways, and to
support economic development efforts. The Competency Model
Clearinghouse is the repository for the Framework of Competencies
for the High Growth Job Training Industries. This Framework
was developed collaboratively by ETA and industry experts.
Join us for this informative webinar to learn more about how
competency models can be used to focus and enhance critical
talent development efforts within your region.
Registration for this Webinar is limited and seating is on
a first-come, first-served basis. Please click the link below
to login to Workforce3 One and register today!
http://www.workforce3one.org/public/skillbuilding/webinar_info.cfm?id=124
Oct. 6, 2006
2006 Florida Children's Summit
North Concourse, Orlando/Orange County Convention Center
The 2006 Florida Children's Summit is designed to create
a shared vision of the State of Florida's commitment to its
children and families. Convened by leaders in the Florida House
and Senate, it will launch a long-term process to develop and
implement strategies for moving a shared vision forward in
2007 and beyond, including specific legislative policy recommendations
regarding children's issues. This historic event will bring
together statewide leaders, advocates and elected officials
from across the state to discuss important issues facing Florida's
children and families. For more information go to: http://www.childrensweek.org/summit/index.htm.
October 10-12, 2006
Advancing Renewable Energy: An American Rural Renaissance
St. Louis, Missouri
The accelerated development and rapid commercialization
of renewable energy technologies is a high national priority,
and is central to President Bush’s Advanced Energy Initiative,
which seeks to change the way we power our cars, homes and
businesses through alternative energy sources. As President
Bush said in his State of the Union Address, “Keeping
America competitive requires affordable energy. And here we
have a serious problem: America is addicted to oil, which is
often imported from unstable parts of the world. The best way
to break this addiction is through technology.” Accelerating
the development and use of alternative energy sources is not
only a critical national security issue, but is key to maintaining
America’s economic competitiveness, as well as a tremendous
opportunity for farmers, businesses, and rural communities
across our nation. To explore these opportunities, we invite
you to join us in St. Louis, Missouri, on October 10-12, 2006,
for Advancing Renewable Energy: An American Rural Renaissance.
Jointly hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), this conference will
bring together key stakeholders in biofuels, wind, and solar
energy to:
—
Identify major issues including partnership opportunities facing
decision makers both within government and in the private sector.
—
Identify critical pathways to rapid deployment of renewable
energy technologies; identify bottlenecks; and make policy
recommendations for resolving these issues.
—
Examine policy incentives such as tax credits, loan guarantees,
expedited approval processes, and other measures to increase
certainty, reduce risk, and accelerate the deployment of new
energy sources.
—
Advance understanding of the opportunities and issues involved
in the integration of distributed energy production into legacy
systems.
DOE and USDA lead the federal effort on research, development,
and commercialization of new energy sources. Senior policy
and administrative personnel of both agencies will participate
in the conference, as will leaders from the private sector,
research, and business communities.
Advancing Renewable Energy presents a unique opportunity to
meet with the leaders of the renewable energy sector at a critical
moment of its development. Participants will include federal,
state, and local officials; utility and energy company executives;
investors; farmers; as well as members from non-governmental
organizations. To Register for the Conference go to: https://www.technologyforums.com/6en/register.asp
October 12-13, 2006
2006 National Transitional Jobs Network Conference: Strengthening
Communities - Building the Workforce of the Future - Transitional
Jobs Work
Atlanta, Georgia
Join program administrators, policy advocates, government
officials, and funders to discuss how to design, implement,
evaluate and advocate for Transitional Jobs programs to meet
the needs of hard- to- employ populations across the country.
The conference will spotlight TJ programs working with ex-offenders,
welfare recipients, youth, and other hard-to-employ populations.
Conference participants will have the opportunity to customize
their conference experience through the selection of breakout
sessions and visit a Transitional Jobs program in Atlanta,
GA. Conference speakers will include Michael L. Thurmond, Commissioner
of the Georgia Department of Labor; Dennis Schrantz, Director
of Policy and Planning for the Michigan Department of Corrections;
Shirley Franklin, Mayor of Atlanta; and Mason Bishop, Deputy
Assistant Secretary of Employment and Training Administration
in the U.S. Department of Labor. For more information go to:
http://www.transitionaljobs.net/Events/Events.htm.
October 13, 2006 (8 AM until 3 PM)
AMERICA’S EVERGLADES - Construction Symposium and Exhibition
Florida Gulf Coast University, in the AlicoArena
The South Florida Water Management District will host
its second annual Acceler8 Construction Symposium and Exhibition
on Friday October13, 2006 at Florida Gulf Coast University,
in the AlicoArena. This all-day event for construction contractors,
specialty contractors, vendors and work-force development agencies
will provide information on the $1.8 billion construction program
for Acceler8, a group of eight fast-tracked projects needed
for Everglades restoration. Construction on these projects
has already begun, but contractors and workers continue to
be needed through 2010. The symposium will provide details
on the pre-qualification process for all Acceler8 contracts.
For more information, please visit www.evergladesnow.org. Display
booths are available for vendors, contractors, specialty subcontractors,
and work force development agencies. Call toll free at 1-800-488-1255
if you would like to take part as an exhibitor in this important
event!
October 23-27, 2006
YouthBuild Transformation Institute (includes 3 events!)
Sheraton Midtown Atlanta Hotel at Colony Square
The YouthBuild Transformation Institute provides opportunities
to learn the research and theory on effective youth work, discover
and practice new skills, spread promising and effective approaches,
and build relationships and alliances which can accelerate
the work of youth transformation. Past attendees have included
program directors, frontline staff, funders, and policy-makers
from the youth development, youth employment, juvenile justice,
and alternative education arenas. The YouthBuild Transformation
Institute at the Sheraton Midtown Atlanta Hotel at Colony Square
offers 3 separate events:
November 1, 2006
Defining and Planning the Future Workforce System
The Providence Hotel
Providence, Rhode Island
In a time of rapid and deep change in the workforce
development system it is important that state leaders position
themselves
as strategic and deliberative agents of innovation. This forum
offers state leaders the opportunity to examine new perspectives
with nationally acclaimed trainers and to network and learn
from their national colleagues. Through facilitated discussion,
state teams will explore the trends and challenges of the workforce
development system, discuss future operational options, and
help redefine state leadership roles. The ten “trends” to
be analyzed include:
- Redefining mission to align with
economic development;
- Responding to demand -- the demand-driven
way to plan and
organize services;
- Creating a workforce system -- moving
beyond the “required
government program partners” to other public, non-profit
and for profit organizations;
- Shifting to a skill-based
system;
- Increasing access, reducing costs and serving more
customers;
- Changing service delivery paradigms (i.e.,
virtual delivery systems);
- Integrating service delivery;
- Developing and certifying
skills;
- Redefining performance and accountability;
- Positioning
state-funded programs, services, and products within the
context of workforce development.
For more information about and to register for this day-long
event go to: http://www.workforceatm.org/training/cesertraining.cfm. November 6-9, 2006
2006 Workforce Development Week
Arlington, VA
The Performance Institute is presenting the 2006 Workforce
Development Week in Arlington, Virginia on November 6-9, 2006.
This conference will feature three days of focused workforce
development training in the areas of one-stop performance,
employer outreach and workforce marketing, demand-driven workforce
strategies and performance measures for workforce development.
The workforce investment system’s recent transition to
a demand-driven system at the federal, state and local level
requires a new level of collaboration from all workforce stakeholders.
The new demand-driven and high-growth system calls for partnerships
between the workforce investment system, employers, community
colleges and other training providers. By enhancing the capacity
of workforce institutions, One-Stops, employers and colleges
can effectively train workers to develop the skills required
to succeed in high growth/high demand industries. To help design,
measure and market workforce products and services to achieve
the desired outcomes for your One-Stop and workforce development
programs, the Perfomance Institute invites you join them for
the 2006 Workforce Development Week, November 6-9, 2006 in
Arlington, VA. For more information visit the Performance Institute
online at: http://www.PerformanceWeb.org/WDW.
November 8 - 10, 2006
Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Workforce Education
National Conference
Troy, New York
The first national conference on workforce education
for the renewable energy and energy efficiency trades and
industries will be held at Hudson Valley Community College
in Troy, New York. The conference is sponsored by the New
York State Energy Research and Development Authority. The
event is an opportunity for educational providers and faculty
at Technical High Schools, Community Colleges, 4-Year Schools
and other training programs to learn about best practices
and effective approaches to teaching renewable energy and
energy efficiency workforce skills. Sessions will deal with
some of the critical workforce topics such as jobs and how
to prepare for workforce needs; how to create a Vocational
High School Trade Program to Community College to 4-Year
College articulation agreements; model solar energy, wind
energy, energy efficiency, geothermal curricula and programs;
and how to integrate energy efficiency and renewable energy
into other trades on campus. Other important areas will be
covered including industry-based task analysis certification
and training standards; establishing successful business
and industry advisory committees; conducting local job market
assessments; and creating hands-on renewable energy laboratories.
This is a two-day conference that will be followed by a third
day of optional workshops focusing on such topics as Photovoltaics,
Wind Energy Systems, Solar Thermal, Energy Audits, and Course
Development.
On Wednesday, November 8, Michael Eckhart, President of the
American Council on Renewable Energy, will open the conference
with the plenary discussion on the growth of renewable energy
global markets. To download the Conference Registration Brochure,
please visit the IREC website at: http://www.irecusa.org/.
November 13-14, 2006
Southeast ICT 2006
Chapel Hill, NC
The e-NC Authority will hold a Wireless and ICT Conference
on November 13-14, 2006 at the William and Ida Friday Center
in Chapel Hill, NC. For the past three years, the Southeast
Wireless Symposium has brought together national experts
and community leaders to discuss the deployment of wireless
networks. In 2006, the e-NC Authority is expanding the scope
of the conference to cover Information and Communication
Technologies, a broader concept that encompasses information
technology infrastructure generally, with specific emphasis
on broadband Internet technologies and the powerful applications
they deliver. This year's Southeast ICT Symposium will focus
on the new and evolving technical, political, legal, and
financial issues surrounding municipal broadband deployment.
Industry experts and community leaders will present research
results and practical hands-on experience derived from case
studies on applying ICT to create digital communities and
enhance rural life. For more information go to: http://www.e-nc.org/WirelessICT2006/index.asp.
Nov. 30 - Dec. 2, 2006
2006 ACTE Convention and Career Tech Expo
Connecting Education and Careers:
Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is gearing up for a great professional development
experience. At the end of November, more than 5,000 career
and technical educators will travel to the PeachPico Collection
State to participate in the only professional development event
dedicated to the entire career and technical education (CTE)
field. From November 30 to December 2, career and technical
educators will have their choice of workshops, seminars and
sessions on a wide variety of CTE topics. Register today and
you can get the best rates, your choice of hotel options, and
first choice on the pre-Convention workshop. All of the information
you need is located in the right-hand navigation bar. So, take
some time, take a look, and then make the choice to join your
colleagues in Atlanta. For more information and to register
visit: www.acteonline.org.
December 2 – 5, 2006
2006 National Workforce Association’s 5th Annual Conference
St. Petersburg, FL
The 2006 NWA Conference is a tremendous opportunity for
Workforce Development and Human Service stakeholders to address
the vast range of issues that will shape the direction of workforce
development and human services programs in our country for
years to come. It will focus on the important themes which
dominate the key discussions in our national capitol, state
capitols and our local communities.
* Nationally recognized policy makers will detail the transient
nature of the reauthorization process and the potential impacts
on state and local areas.
* Local workforce directors and human services administrators
from all over the country will share promising practices designed
to assist you in coordinating your local activities in the
context of the new consolidated Workforce System.
* Senior congressional staff will provide an insiders view
of the congressional budget process and the finer points of
the appropriations process.
* Learn about the new performance measures that have been proposed
by the Department of Labor
* Hear from prominent national politicians about what to expect
in the 110th Congress and the 2006 mid-term election results.
And finally get first hand information from a leader in the
United Sates Senate about their views of the congressional
budget process and the funding challenges facing many domestic
programs. For registration go to:
http://www.nwaonline.org/siteassets/documents/20061stFlyer.pdf.
December 4-7, 2006
2006 National Youth Development Symposium
ENGAGE, EDUCATE, EMPLOY - YOUTH!
Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Suites - Chicago, IL
The Presenter Call for Proposal has been issued. The
goal of the 7th Annual National Youth Development Symposium is
to
provide best practices and program guidance to workforce development
professionals who serve youth. Our intent is to provide support
for those dedicated individuals working to be a strong foundation
for youth and to provide them with the necessary tools to enter
the workforce as productive adults.
Workshop topical areas include:
•
Engaging youth with their future, young men with their communities,
hardest-to-serve youth with programs that can help them, and
adult youth workers with the youth they serve.
•
Educating youth in ways that meet the new demands of the 21st
Century workplace - technology, teamwork, literacy & numeracy,
online learning, career academies and alternative education,
internships, online learning.
•
Employing youth in good jobs with opportunities to learn and
advance by satisfying the business needs of employers.
The Symposium experience will also offer attendees the opportunity
to browse through an Exhibit Area offering additional resources
and contacts that may be valuable to serving youth.
Pre-symposuim sessions will be held Monday afternoon, December
4th and Tuesday morning, December 5th. Full Symposium starts
at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, December 5th. Workshops will be announced
September 15th. For more information go to: http://www.theeventconn.com/events/conf.php?get=info&eid=18.
Odds and Ends
Many employers rate high school graduates as deficient
in workplace skills. About 42 percent of U.S. employers rate
newly hired high school graduates overall as deficient in
critical workplace skills, while almost 46 percent of employers
consider their preparation for entry-level jobs as adequate,
according to a survey released Oct. 2 by the Conference Board
and three other groups. By contrast, 65 percent to 70 percent
of survey participants viewed graduates of two-year and four-year
colleges as much better prepared for their entry-level jobs,
with only about 10 percent of employers considering these
graduates' preparation as deficient, the survey found. On
the other hand, relatively few employers rated graduates
of two- and four-year colleges as excellently prepared (10
percent and 24 percent, respectively), and almost none considered
high school graduates' preparation as excellent (0.2 percent). "The
future workforce is here, and it is ill-prepared," concluded
the survey report, Are They Really Ready to Work?
The survey of 431 human resource officials and executives
was conducted in April and May, with a response rate of 4.8
percent. About one-fifth of respondents were from the government,
nonprofit, or education sectors. The written and e-mailed
survey was conducted by the Conference Board, a New York-based
research group, along with Corporate Voices for Working Families,
Partnership for 21st Century Skills, and Society for Human
Resource Management.
Funding for the project was provided by the Annie E. Casey
Foundation, Dell Inc., the Ford Foundation, Microsoft, Pearson
Education, Philip Morris USA Youth Smoking Prevention, SAP,
and State Farm Insurance Cos. "This study should serve
as an alert to educators, policy makers and those concerned
with U.S. economic competitiveness that we may be facing
a skills shortage," said Susan R. Meisinger, president
and chief executive office of SHRM.
One message of the survey is that new entrants to the U.S.
workforce "are not demonstrating levels of excellence
necessary to compete successfully in the face of rising global
labor market challenges," Meisinger said. A less competitive
U.S. workforce "ultimately makes the U.S. economy more
vulnerable in the global marketplace," said Richard
Cavanagh, Conference Board president and chief executive
officer. Greater communication and collaboration between
the business sector and educators is critical "to ensure
that young people are prepared to enter the workplace of
the 21st century," Cavanagh said. Survey participants
represent companies employing more than 2 million workers
in the United States, the report said. The industries, sizes,
and location of the participants' companies were not disclosed,
and the demographics of the sample group differ from those
of the entire population of U.S. employers, it cautioned.
Among workplace skills cited by employers as the most important,
the survey results showed the greatest deficiencies of newly
hired high school graduates were seen in written communications,
professionalism and work ethic, critical thinking and problem
solving, and lifelong learning and self-direction. Access
the report, Are They Really Ready to Work? on the Internet
at: http://www.conference-board.org/pdf_free/BED-06-Workforce.pdf.
FDDC Sponsors Free Guardianship Training in Ft.
Lauderdale, Tampa and Tallahassee. Individuals with developmental disabilities
and their families are frequently confused and intimidated
by Florida’s legal system. Many lack the information
and tools needed to understand alternative ways of protecting
individuals’ rights or how to navigate their way through
the complex legal system. The Florida Developmental Disabilities
Council is proud to sponsor this critical and timely training
workshop, which will empower families to become more knowledgeable
about navigating the legal system. Unfortunately, there is
also a real scarcity of attorneys who are knowledgeable about
legal issues relating to people with developmental disabilities
and their families. Many probate attorneys and judges are
simply not familiar with Guardian Advocacy (F.S. 393) as
a less intrusive form of guardianship. Nor are they conversant
with the nuances of wording, so critical for the effective
use of special needs trusts, to protect the continued community
involvement of individuals with these lifelong disabilities.
This workshop gives family members, individuals, attorneys,
judges and other professionals the opportunity to learn about
developmental disabilities, alternate types of Florida guardianships,
special needs trusts, and specialized wills, while support
coordinators and professional guardians will learn how to
discern the best option available to the consumer. The trainings
will be held in Fort Lauderdale (on November 17 and 18, 2006);
in Tampa (December 1 and 2, 2006); and in Tallahassee January
19 and 20, 2007. Visit the Wise Choices Web Site at http://www.wisechoices.us/x108.xml for course outline, registration, hotel information, etc.
If you have any questions regarding this critical and timely
series of trainings, please contact Jean Sherman at 305-243-6397,
or, via email, at JSherman@med.miami.edu. There is no fee
for consumers and family members to attend the Saturday Workshops.
Travel reimbursement is also available. Quote for the Week:
“One's first step in wisdom is to question everything - and one's last
is to come to terms with everything.
”
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg (1742 - 1799)
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