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Workforce Florida Weekly Update 11-15-06 |
CONTENTS The State & RegionsWelfare Reform in Florida: Ten years later. At this Capital Report Roundtable Tom Flanigan discusses recent changes in government provided welfare in Florida with Linda South, Director of the Agency for Workforce Innovation, Curtis Austin President of Workforce Florida, Inc., and Lucy Hadi, Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. Access the extended roundtable discussion (17+ minutes) at: http://wwwt.fsu.edu/~wfsu_fm/programs/cr/cr2006/sound/extend/ei061110.m3u. Florida Matters focuses on “Florida Manufacturers” (November 10th, 2006). Florida manufacturers have been complaining that they can't find qualified workers to fill available positions while some educators believe more emphasis is needed on training some students to move directly into the workforce rather than the college track. In response, the state has allocated $500,000 to train Floridians for specialized manufacturing jobs. The pilot program at Hillsborough Community College in Brandon is underway and this week on Florida Matters, host Carson Cooper discusses workforce training with our guests:
Property and Casualty Insurance Reform Committee
Presents Interim Report and Recommendations. TALLAHASSEE— Lt.
Governor Toni Jennings and the members of the Property and
Casualty Insurance Reform Committee today presented their
interim report and recommendations. Governor Bush recently
created the committee, chaired by Lt. Governor Jennings,
to analyze a variety of proposals and make recommendations
to the Governor, President of the Senate and Speaker of the
House of Representatives to bolster the private insurance
market in Florida. “The Property and Casualty Insurance
Reform Committee is pleased to present our findings and recommendations
to the leadership and residents of our state,” said
Lt. Governor Jennings. “The availability and affordability
of insurance is the biggest threat to our incredibly robust
and growing economy. We hope these recommendations provide
a solid foundation for the Florida Legislature to take action
in the coming months to provide short-term and long-term
relief for Floridians.” Beginning in early August,
the committee conducted meetings in Tallahassee and across
the state. The members developed recommendations in ten key
areas: Residential Insurance Market and Consumer Issues,
Commercial Insurance Market and Property and Casualty Joint
Underwriting Association, Florida Building Code, Mitigation,
Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, Reinsurance Market, Windstorm
Boundaries, Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, Market
Incentives and Barriers, and Federal issues. Floridians are
significantly feeling the pressures of a strained insurance
market. To ease these burdens, the Property and Casualty
Insurance Reform Committee recommended more than 50 measures,
including: Ninth annual gathering highlights Florida's thriving life sciences industry sector. GAINESVILLE – Governor Jeb Bush today addressed more than 400 Florida life science researchers, venture capitalists, students and industry leaders at "Intersections: Converging Fields, Emerging Opportunities,” BioFlorida’s 9th annual conference. Governor Bush highlighted Scripps Florida, the Burnham Institute, the Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, and the state’s rapidly expanding biotech infrastructure as foundations for growing Florida’s economy through the converging fields of biomedical research, advanced medical technologies and drug discovery and diagnostics. "Florida’s growing life sciences sector is poised to spur medical advancement and drive economic development through scientific discovery and technology commercialization for generations to come," said Governor Bush. "We must continue to foster an environment that attracts the best and brightest to Florida, encouraging innovative partnerships, capital investment, research-to-the-marketplace, a well trained workforce and high-wage jobs for Floridians." This year’s conference features more than 25 breakout sessions encompassing four separate session tracks: BioScience, BioBusiness, BioExecutives and Marine Biotechnology. Conference presentations addressed the life science climate in Florida, partnership opportunities, venture capital perspectives, academic partnerships, funding strategies, bioprospecting for medicine and industrial products, aquaculture and food safety, product development approaches, international intellectual property issues, regulatory topics, managing collaborations, commercializing university research and growing Florida’s bioscience workforce. In addition to the breakout sessions, this year’s conference features three veterans of the bioscience industry: Dr. Joanna Davida Davies, associate member of the Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Karin Eastham, chief operating officer of The Burnham Institute for Medical Research, and Dr. Christy Shaffer, president and CEO of Inspire Pharmaceuticals, who each shared their vision for the future of bioscience in Florida. “The caliber of the speakers and panelists, the level of sponsorship support, the quality of the content and the dramatic increase in the number of attendees, has made this year’s Annual BioFlorida Conference our most successful to-date,” stated Russell Allen, President, BioFlorida. “We were pleased to have attracted such a vast array of attendees and presenters. This year’s conference is indicative of Florida’s strengthening position as an epicenter for the life sciences.” BioFlorida, an independent statewide bioscience organization, serves its members by providing the infrastructure to exchange information and ideas through industry specific programs, education, networking and legislative initiatives. BioFlorida focuses on ensuring a favorable business environment, advancing the commercialization of research and working with investors, private enterprise, government, academia and financial and service sectors to further develop existing companies, launch start-up companies and attract new businesses to Florida. NOTE: Employ Florida was a gold sponsor for BioFlorida’s 9th annual conference. For more information on Governor Bush’s economic development initiatives, please visit www.myflorida.com. Leading Florida defense company expands R&D, manufacturing
facilities. ORLANDO – Governor Jeb Bush dedicated a
new Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) research building in a ceremony
today at the company’s Sand Lake Road facility in Orlando.
The new building, part of a more than $175 million expansion
effort, offers 250,000-square-feet of additional research
and technology space, to sustain the workforce and attract
new talent. “This is a great day for Florida’s
$44 billion defense industry and our state’s proud
tradition of supplying our nation’s men and women in
the Armed Forces with the very best in equipment and services,” said
Governor Bush. “Over the years, Lockheed Martin has
contributed significant high-skill employment to our growing
spectrum of job and business opportunities in the Sunshine
State – and we thank the company for its further investment
in Florida.” The company’s capital investment,
which includes new manufacturing and research and development
equipment, enables current and future programs such as the
Medium Extended Air Defense System, JASSM™, Sniper® Advanced
Targeting Pod, Joint Common Missile and Hellfire® missile. “The
dedication of the new research and development building marks
the 50th anniversary of our locating and investing in Central
Florida and signals our commitment to continue this successful
relationship with the Orlando community,” said James
F. Berry, president of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire
Control. “Our continued commitment to research and
development technology to protect our country is exemplified
in the dedication of this new building. It will help provide
the environment capable to retain the best and brightest
engineers in the business.” With headquarters in Grand
Prairie, Texas, Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire
Control business unit at the Sand Lake Road, Orlando location,
was established in 1956 and currently employs more than 4,000
workers. Lockheed Martin is a wonderful community partner
that produces technology essential to our nations’ security,” said
Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty. “We are honored
to have this great company here in Central Florida and will
continue to work with them to see that we are as helpful
as we can be to ensure their continued growth. High-value
jobs are what Lockheed Martin represents, and we support
and encourage this for the benefit of our community.” “This
facility was the foundation and catalyst behind the growth
of our region’s high-tech sector. That makes this expansion
extremely significant, ensuring that a next generation of
Lockheed Martin technology will be developed and manufactured
in our region,” said Ray Gilley, president and CEO
of the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission. “This
company’s growth not only results in the creation and
retention of high-wage jobs and a considerable capital investment,
but also makes a statement that Metro Orlando’s high
tech future is extremely bright.” Headquartered in
Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000
people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research,
design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment
of advanced technology systems, products and services. Florida
competed on this economic development project with Lockheed
Martin’s other Missiles and Fire Control sites throughout
the country, as well as the group’s headquarters in
Grand Prairie, Texas. WorkNet Pinellas Celebrates Tampa Bay Business Journal
Award. Jacqueline Skryd, the Marketing Coordinator for WorkNet Pinellas,
was recognized with a prestigious award from the Tampa Bay
Business Journal on Thursday, November 9, 2006. Jackie was
among 150 nominees for the ’30 Under 30 Award’.
The group of 30 winners represented the cream of Tampa Bay’s
professional leaders under 30 years of age. Skryd has made
WorkNet a recognizable force in the realm of workforce development.
She built a brand awareness and was instrumental in securing
more than $4 million in grant money for various community
programs, including employment and training for veterans,
seniors and youth. "It’s this result that drives
what I do today - to know that I have made an impact on the
lives of so many and that my work can make difference to
more than a bottom line." Manufacturers’ Forum to be held At Treasure Coast High School. The Workforce Development Board of the Treasure Coast is partnering with the St. Lucie County School District to host a Manufacturers’ Forum December 14th at the Manufacturing/Pre-Engineering Academy at the new Treasure Coast High School in Port St. Lucie. Manufacturers in St. Lucie County are invited to attend the Forum, network and share solutions with industry partners. Forum participants will receive information on the future of the manufacturing industry, employment trends and get an inside look at their future workforce. Students in the Manufacturing Academy at TCHS follow a career-focused curriculum that combines real world learning in a hands-on environment. The Academy facility consists of traditional classroom space that opens into a spacious manufacturing lab which provides students the opportunity for hands-on simulations. Students who complete the Academy program will possess a high school diploma and industry certifications as manufacturing Production Technicians from the national Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) and Work Certified work readiness skills from the Workforce Development Board. Katherine E. Wilson, Chairman of Workforce Florida, Inc. said, “Florida’s manufacturing industry is a key driver of the state’s robust economy. In order to remain competitive, Florida manufacturers must have a highly skilled workforce.” The St. Lucie County School District is committed to addressing this employment challenge through the exciting learning environment at Treasure Coast High School. The Academy will produce well trained students who are ready for the workplace or to pursue additional training and education. The Manufacturers’ Forum will be held Thursday, December 14, 2007, from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM at Treasure Coast High School, 1000 SW Darwin Boulevard, Port St. Lucie. Businesses interested in attending the forum, should RSVP by December 8th to Caren Belowch at 772-335-3030 X *822. For more information about the Manufacturing Academy, contact Diana Rew at the Workforce Development Board at 772-335-3030 X*839 or via email at: drew@tcjobs.org. The NationUSDOL Employment and Training Administration Federal Register Notice: Design of Federal YouthBuild Grants. Notice of request for public comments and announcement of public meetings. On September 22, 2006, President Bush signed into law the YouthBuild Transfer Act (Pub. L. 109-281) which transfers the YouthBuild program from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to the Department of Labor (DOL). YouthBuild provides education and occupational skills training for at-risk youth age 16-24. The purpose of this Notice is to announce public meetings and a Webinar to discuss the transition of the YouthBuild program to DOL and to announce an open comment period for comments on a variety of issues about YouthBuild program design. The purposes of the public meetings and the Webinar are twofold: To provide basic information on the legislative changes to the YouthBuild program and DOL program management of YouthBuild; and to collect feedback on several program design elements. For more information refer to: Federal Register: November 14, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 219) Page 66349-66350. Grant and Competitive Award Opportunities and NoticesFor additional information go to, visit the External Grant Opportunities page.Featured Opportunity:(none) State Grants(none) Federal GrantsTargeted Grants to Reduce Childhood Lead Poisoning Disability Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRPs)-- Vocational Rehabilitation (VR): Transition Services That Lead to Competitive Employment Outcomes for Transition-Age Individuals With Blindness or Other Visual Impairments Teacher Incentive Fund Foundation GrantsYouth Service America/Youth Venture Program Invites Applications From Young Social Entrepreneurs Scholarships/AwardsWilliam Diaz Impact Award 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. November 29, 2006 November 30, 2006 Other Meetings/Conferences/Events:
NEW! November 30, 2006 Nov. 30 - Dec. 2, 2006 December 2 – 5, 2006 December 4-7, 2006 Odds and Ends1.5 Million Expands National Backpack Program (America's Second Harvest-The Nation's Food Bank Network Posted by: PNNOnline on Wednesday, November 15, 2006). Through a nearly $1.5 million donation from Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. for its national BackPack Program, America's Second Harvest-The Nation's Food Bank Network will deliver backpacks filled with nutritious, protein-rich food to school children in need. Local food banks nationwide will receive grants for its program during a series of regional events. As part of this announcement, America's Second Harvest Network employees and members of the community will volunteer at local food banks to assist with stuffing backpacks for local school children. These funds will be used to purchase food and supplies for the program, allowing children to bring home nutritious food when other resources are not available, such as weekends and school vacations. As a result, America's Second Harvest will be able to further expand its BackPack Program, which is the fastest growing national program within the Network, experiencing a nearly 100 percent growth last year alone. Currently there are more than 110 America's Second Harvest Network Members operating BackPack Programs in 39 states and Washington, D.C. Nationally, Network Members distribute as many as 35,000 backpacks each week. "Through our BackPack program, nationally, we distribute thousands of backpacks filled with much needed food for school children to take home every week. Wal-Mart's support and contribution will not only allow our program to expand, but also make a meaningful difference by enabling our member agencies to provide more than 890,000 backpacks to children in need nationwide," said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of America's Second Harvest. "We are proud to partner with Wal-Mart and Sam's Club and are most grateful for the generous donations from its associates and customers." As part of the BackPack Program, backpacks will be filled with child- friendly, nonperishable, easily consumed and vitamin-fortified food and then discreetly distributed to children to take home on weekends or holidays. In addition to providing nutritious food to school children in need, some BackPack Programs provide extra food for younger siblings at home and other programs operate during the summer months when children are out of school and have limited access to free or reduced-priced meals. In March 2006, Wal-Mart and Sam's Club partnered with the America's Second Harvest Network to help raise funds and build awareness around the solvable problem of hunger in America through the "Be A Part Of The Solution To End Hunger" campaign. The in-store promotion, featured at the more than 3,800 Wal-Mart and Sam's Club locations nationwide, encouraged customers to purchase a "piece of the solution to end hunger" puzzle piece at check-out, raising $3.7 million. The Wal-Mart and Sam's Club Foundation donated an additional $5 million, totaling $8.7 million. Nearly $1.5 million of the $8.7 million raised will be used toward the Network's BackPack Program, providing select Member food banks nationwide with grants to purchase food and supplies for the program. Through Wal-Mart's donation, 24 new food bank recipients will participate in this program for the first time. In September, America's Second Harvest announced that $7.2 million of the total funds raised and donated would be used for the organization's purchased food program. This program provides food banks and food-rescue organizations with the highest-demand foods, including protein and produce, which are critical to helping provide nutritionally balanced meals for low- income Americans. Hunger affects even the least likely of victims, including adults, who are caring for a family member, hard working families with children who have experienced a sudden job loss, and seniors living on a fixed income who must choose between food and medicine. People nationwide can continue to be a part of the solution to end hunger in their community by supporting their local America's Second Harvest Member food bank and the agencies it serves throughout the year. http://www.secondharvest.org/ The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Releases a New Spanish-Language Therapy Manual and Client
Workbook on Anger Management. The Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announces the publication
of the Spanish-language versions of the award-winning Anger
Management for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Clients:
A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Manual and the accompanying
Participant Workbook. Manufactured Housing -- Leaving the Trailer Behind. Thursday,
November 16 at 2 p.m. ET (1 p.m. CT/noon MT/11 a.m. PT).
KnowledgePlex will present an expert chat continuing the
discussions from the Manufactured Housing Forum held in October
in Nashville, Tenn. We'll hear about two different approaches
to affordable housing: manufactured home community parks
and manufactured homes on fee simple land. Both of these
approaches hold unique opportunities and challenges for producing
and preserving affordable homes. We'll also learn about government
policies and regulations around the country that affect manufactured
homes. Our guest experts will be Business Executives Attitudes Toward the Aging Workforce: Aware but Not Prepared. The AARP report, Business Executives Attitudes Toward the Aging Workforce: Aware but Not Prepared, summarizes a national survey involving more than 1,000 business executives on their views toward 50+ workers and preparedness for the aging workforce. The report finds that many executives are aware of the pending retirement crisis and the skills gap that their companies face should baby boomers retire, but very few have formal plans or policies that address the issue. While nearly two thirds, 65 percent, of executives were very or somewhat concerned about losing valuable knowledge and skills over the next ten years as employees retire, less than 16 percent have policies that encourage employees to work beyond retirement. The full report is available at: http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/econ/aging_workforce.pdf. Quote for the Week:“Gratitude is the most exquisite form of courtesy.” Jacques Maritain (1882 - 1973) |
