Workforce Florida Weekly Update 10-12-06

CONTENTS
The State & Regions
The Nation
Grant and Competitive Award Opportunities
Upcoming Meetings, Conferences & Events
Odds & Ends

The State & Regions

Lt. Governor Jennings Announces Enrollment Gains In Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten's Second Year ~ Enrollment in first two months exceeds last school year's total. TALLAHASSEE – Lt. Governor Toni Jennings today announced that only two months into the program's second year, enrollment in Florida’s Voluntary Pre-kindergarten (VPK) program has surpassed last year’s total enrollment. Currently, more than 97,000 students are enrolled statewide. Parents may enroll their child in Florida’s early learning program at any time during the school year. "We are very encouraged by the tremendous increase in enrollment in Florida’s second year of offering a free and voluntary pre-kindergarten program," said Lt. Governor Jennings. "This dramatic increase confirms that parents recognize the important role a quality early education plays in future student achievement.” Approximately 50 percent of Florida’s eligible four-year-olds are currently receiving free early learning education through the VPK program. The number is expected to continue to increase as parents enroll their children throughout the year. More encouraging, it is anticipated more than 100,000 four-year-olds will be enrolled before January, the next heavy enrollment period. Another boost will come as parents enroll their children in the summer 2007 program. The total school year enrollment last year, from August 2005 – June 2006, was 96,295 students. “Florida’s VPK program is a great asset to parents in preparing their children for success in school and in life,” says Linda H. South, Director of the Agency for Workforce Innovation. “It is important Florida parents and families know that they can still enroll their children in this successful program.” VPK is a free statewide program that prepares four year-olds for kindergarten, focusing on high literacy standards, strict accountability, appropriate curricula, substantial instruction periods, manageable class sizes and qualified instructors. Children who are four years old on or before September 1, 2006, are eligible to receive free VPK instruction. Although classes have already started, parents can still enroll their children in the program. Parents interested in enrolling their children should visit their local Early Learning Coalition, bringing proof of the child’s age and proof of residency in the state of Florida. To locate a local Coalition, please visit www.vpkflorida.org.

Governor Bush and Mississippi Governor Barbour Meet with Florida Emergency Responders. TALLAHASSEE – Governor Jeb Bush and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour this week met with Florida emergency responders who aided in response and recovery from the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina. Following Hurricane Katrina’s second U.S. landfall, the State of Florida deployed personnel, equipment and commodities to impacted Gulf Coast communities. These efforts represented Florida’s largest state-to-state assistance in history. “I am extremely proud of the thousands of Florida emergency responders who selflessly aided impacted communities along the Gulf Coast recover from catastrophic Hurricane Katrina,” said Governor Bush. “Florida received help from more than 35 states during the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, and we remain steadfastly committed to aiding our neighbors in times of crisis.” Resources from Florida were mobilized through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a national organization that provides a structure to interstate mutual aid and allows impacted states to request and receive assistance from other member states quickly and efficiently. Florida’s State Emergency Response Team supported local officials and federal responders with search and rescue missions and emergency management operations in Mississippi. Members of Florida’s extensive team of emergency response vessel crews, search and rescue teams, National Guardsmen and emergency management officials deployed as needed to support operations in impacted areas, specifically the southern six counties of Mississippi. “On behalf of the people of Mississippi, it is an honor to thank the thousands of Floridians who provided tremendous assistance to our state in our time of greatest need,” said Governor Barbour. “Hurricane Katrina validated a lot of the operational methods that we had adopted after 2004,” said Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Craig Fugate. “With our water-based resources, Florida was in an excellent position to answer the call to help our neighbors along the Gulf Coast.” Florida provided more than $80 million and 7,000 Florida responders in aid to neighboring states impacted by Hurricane Katrina. For additional information on Florida’s hurricane response efforts, please visit www.FloridaDisaster.org.

Workforce Florida is moving! Workforce Florida will be moving to a new office location the week of October 23rd. The current anticipated move date is October 25th but that could change. An email notification will be sent out to all partners and weekly update subscribers the day prior to the actual move. Phone and computer connectivity will be unavailable on the actual move date. All main and staff phone numbers will remain the same. The new mailing address, effective, November 1st, 2006, will be:
Workforce Florida, Inc.
1580 Waldo Palmer Lane
Tallahassee, FL 32308
www.workforceflorida.com

Workforce Florida Inc. (WFI) funding awards announced. Competitive grants awards were made to the following 6 organizations in the stated amounts to provide specialized workforce, job training and placement services to the specified targeted populations. Forty five proposals were received in response to the RFP issued in August. Congratulations to the winners, and heads up to other partners in the areas to the new opportunities for partnering and leveraging resources in serving shared customers.

• Region 13 – Brevard Workforce Development Board, Inc.: $175,000 - serving the disabled
• Clara White Mission, Inc. (Jacksonville): $199,890 - serving ex-offenders, homeless, youthful offenders and fosters
• Florida Works (Statewide): $200,000 - serving ex-offenders and homeless
• Region 5 – Big Bend Jobs & Education Council, Inc. (Workforce Plus): $122,582 -serving homeless
• Emmanuel Child Development Center (Palm Beach Co.): $192,166 - serving elders, ex-offenders, homeless and youth aging out of foster care
• Region 14 – WorkNet Pinellas, Inc.: $200,000 - serving all targeted pops

Workforce Florida awards Florida WIRED to Southwest Florida Workforce Development Board, Inc. The Florida WIRED initiative focuses on the role of talent development in driving regional economic competitiveness, increased job growth and new opportunities for Floridians. It focuses on labor market areas that are comprised of multiple jurisdictions within the state. It supports innovative approaches to education and workforce development that go beyond traditional strategies preparing workers to compete and succeed within the state, nationally and globally. It represents a unique opportunity to design and implement strategic approaches to regional economic development and job growth. Region 24, Southwest Florida Workforce Development Board, Inc. was awarded $996,973.

The Nation

U.S. Secretary of Labor Invites Employer Participation in First National Veterans Employment Summit in Norfolk, VA Nov. 9th. Summit to Include HireVetsFirst Job Fair.
WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao invited employers and hiring executives from across the country to participate in the first-ever National Veterans Employment Summit to be held Nov. 9 at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Va. "Today's veterans are talented, disciplined, results-oriented and skilled workers ready to reconnect with America's civilian workforce," said Secretary Chao. "They were there for us. Now it's our turn to be there for them. Matching veterans with employers looking for highly skilled and accomplished workers is a win-win for everyone." The one-day summit will team senior hiring personnel from businesses across the nation with senior government officials to examine recruitment, retention, and leadership strategies for employers to take advantage of veterans' skills in the workforce. The summit will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and attendance is free. Employers and human resource personnel wishing to attend the summit can register at: www.hirevetsfirst.gov/summit. Veterans and transitioning service members are encouraged to register and attend the HireVetsFirst Job Fair, which will be held in conjunction with the summit. The job fair will run from noon to 4 p.m., with registration and pre-fair resume assistance available online at: www.hirevetsfirst.gov/jobfair. Some 65 companies are expected to have recruiting booths at the job fair. Both events will be held in the Norfolk Scope Arena, 201 E. Brambleton Avenue in Norfolk.

HHS Awards $58 Million through Compassion Capital Fund – nineteen Florida organizations throughout the state receive awards. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) last week announced awards totaling $58,025,562 through the Compassion Capital Fund (CCF). The awards, to 420 faith-based and community organizations, are designed to help grass-roots faith-based and community organizations enhance their ability to provide a wide range of social services for those in need. Those services include aid for homeless persons, at-risk youth and rural communities and initiatives to empower youth and promote healthy marriage. “These awards are central to President Bush’s agenda of compassion toward those in need,” said HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt. “By partnering with faith-based and community organizations, the Bush Administration is strengthening social services for millions of citizens.” The awards consist of four sets of grants. The first involves the CCF Demonstration Program and totals $5 million for ten organizations. These groups will serve as intermediaries to help build the capacity of smaller faith-based and community organizations. The second set totals $15,116,280 for 310 faith-based and community organizations under the CCF Targeted Capacity Building Program. The areas of focus for this program include at-risk youth, homeless persons, rural communities and strengthening marriage. The third set of awards inaugurates the Communities Empowering Youth (CEY) program, a new program created in response to First Lady Laura Bush’s Helping America’s Youth initiative. CEY provides funding to strengthen existing community coalitions working to combat gang activity and youth violence and provide positive alternatives for at-risk youth. Under this new program, $30 million is awarded to 100 organizations to build the capacity of their coalitions, better enabling them to reduce youth violence in communities across the country. In addition, grants totaling $7,909,282 were awarded to continue currently funded CCF programs. “These funds provide compassion from the grass-roots up,” said Josephine B. Robinson, director of the Office of Community Services. “The Compassion Capital Fund is making a positive difference for disadvantaged children and families in communities across our nation.” The Compassion Capital Fund is a cornerstone of President Bush’s faith-based and community initiative, and is designed to help organizations partner with the federal government to strengthen these organizations’ ability to provide social services. Since its inception in 2002, approximately $206 million has been given to more than 4,300 organizations, including sub-awards from intermediary grantees. The primary purpose of CCF is to help faith-based and community organizations increase their effectiveness, enhance their ability to provide social services to serve those most in need, expand their organizations and create collaborations to better serve those in need. To view a complete list of awards, go to: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/news/press/2006/ccf_fy_2006_data.pdf. For more information on the Compassion Capital Fund, go to: http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ccf/.

USDOL releases Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2006 — 2011. Introduction from Elaine L. Chao, Secretary of Labor: The publication of the Department of Labor's Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2006 — 2011 is the culmination of the Department's efforts to build on our results and solidify the priorities and directions for the future. The Department's goals have been refined in order to meet the challenges of the 21st Century. While the new goal structure is similar to the one that has served us well in the past, the revised four goals listed below address the core of what the Department is all about: preparing workers to succeed; developing a demand-driven workforce system to remain competitive in the worldwide economy; protecting safety, health, wages, and other working conditions on the job; and ensuring that worker benefits, such as unemployment insurance and pension and health benefits, are there when they are needed. These new goals are:

• A Prepared Workforce
• A Competitive Workforce
• Safe and Secure Workplaces
• Strengthened Economic Protections

The first goal, A Prepared Workforce, seeks to provide effective training and support services to new and incumbent workers and to supply high-quality information on the economy and labor market. The second goal, A Competitive Workforce, aims to meet the demands of the worldwide economy by enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the workforce development and regulatory systems that assist workers and employers in meeting the challenges of worldwide competition. The third goal, Safe and Secure Workplaces, focuses on ensuring that workplaces are safe, healthful, and fair; providing workers with the wages due them; providing equal opportunity; and protecting veterans' employment and reemployment rights. The fourth goal, Strengthened Economic Protections, commits the Department to protect and strengthen economic security through effective and efficient provision of unemployment insurance and workers' compensation; ensuring union transparency; and securing pension and health benefits. This Strategic Plan lays the foundation for an even stronger, more effective Department of Labor. The dedication and professionalism of the Department's employees have helped the Department meet the high standards set out in President George W. Bush's Management Agenda and positioned the Department to help the American workforce prepare for the challenges ahead.
Access the full strat plan at:
http://www.dol.gov/_sec/stratplan/main.htm

Headlines for the NASWA/CESER Workforce Bulletin - October 6, 2006:

• Congress Approves CR To Fund Labor Programs At FY 2006 Levels Through November 17
• USDOL Releases Strategic Plan For Fiscal Years 2006-2011
• WOTC And WTWTC Programs In Administrative Limbo Lacking Reauthorization And USDOL Guidance
• USDOL Releases Reserve Fiscal Year 2006 TAA Funds
• UI Grants Awarded States To Improve Integrity And Reemployment
• Employment Steady And Unemployment Rate Essentially Unchanged In September
• NASWA Welcomes New Affiliates
• State Leadership Forum - Register To Attend November 1
• NASWA UI Director's Conference And Legal Issues Forum Host Hotel Nearly Sold Out

Access the complete stories at: http://www.workforceatm.org/sections/members/
bulletin/bulltemp.cfm?results_art_filename=bu100606.htm

Grant and Competitive Award Opportunities and Notices

For additional information go to, visit the External Grant Opportunities page.

Featured Opportunity:

(none)

State Grants

Employ Florida Workforce Excellence Awards nomination have been submitted and are under review. Award winners will be announced and honored at the November 30th Workforce Florida Board meeting in Orlando.

Federal Grants

Advanced Education Nursing Grants

Nurse Education, Practice and Retention

Activities That Advance Methane Recovery and Use As A Clean Energy Source

Solid Waste Management Grant Program

New Access Points in Programs Funded under Health Centers Consolidation Act of 1996 (NAP)

Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program

Foundation Grants

State Farm Youth Advisory Board Grant

2007 Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation-AAPD Congressional Internships

2007 Microsoft-AAPD Federal IT Internship

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.

October 18, 2006
WFI Council Chairmen Teleconference - 9:00am - 10:00am cancelled
WFI Executive Committee Teleconference - 10:00am - 11:30am cancelled

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:

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:

• Southeast Multi-site Gathering - Monday, October 23
• YouthBuild Academy for Transformation - Tuesday, October 24 - Thursday, October 26
• AmeriCorps Partnerships Conference - Wednesday, October 25-Friday, October 27
  For more information go to: http://www.youthbuild.org/site/c.htIRI3PIKoG/b.1525051/
  k.5EE7/YouthBuild_Transformation_Institute.htm.

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

IES releases report - United States High School Sophomores: A Twenty-Two Year Comparison, 1980-2002. Using questionnaire and test data collected in 1980, 1992, and 2002, this report presents time series data on three cohorts of high school sophomores. The report presents information on the changing context of cohort demographics, family characteristics, school characteristics, and school experiences, after school activities, and future plans and expectations. Tested achievement is also presented with results in math from 1980 to 1990 and 2002, and results in reading from 1990 to 2002. http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2006327.

The Coming Labor Glut: Six Reasons Jobs Will Get More Scarce, Not More Plentiful (by Marty Nemko, US News and World Report). Here they are in a nutshell:

• Corporate downsizing has only just begun.
• It's more cost-effective to replace employees with technology.
• More just-in-time hiring.
• Global hiring is ever more desirable.
• Illegal immigration will ensure a supply of low-level workers.
• The boomers are not retiring in the predicted numbers, some because they haven't saved enough for retirement, others because they want to keep working.
  So how should workers and job seekers prepare for a glut of labor?
• Be a star: Your negotiating power is eroding.
• Become an employer, not an employee.
• Adopt a less materialistic lifestyle.

The writer’s formula for contentment: good work, good relationships, good avocations. Access the complete article at:
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/career/careercoach/
archive/061004/the_coming_labor_glut_six_reas.htm.

Presentations on the affordable housing issue available at the Florida Chamber website. On September 15, the Florida Chamber Foundation convened a discussion of top policy and agency leaders, economic experts, and housing professionals to help our regions and business leaders engage in tackling Florida's attainable housing crisis. View the agenda with links to many of the presentations at: http://www.floridachamber.com/flcchw/hw.dll?
page&file=found_aff_housing_agenda.

Quote for the Week:

“It is simplicity that makes the uneducated more effective than the educated when addressing popular audiences.”

Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC), Rhetoric

An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this web site may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.