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Workforce Florida Weekly Update 8-22-07 |
CONTENTS The State & RegionsExpansion Management Editor Talks About Why Florida Ranks in the Top Three States With Best Workforce Training Programs. TALLAHASSEE—Florida ranks among the top three states with the best workforce training programs in the nation, according to a new poll by Expansion Management magazine. The national business publication announced the results of its 2007 poll of top site selection experts late last week in conjunction with an article that appears in its latest issue. Florida is ranked No. 3 for the overall quality of its workforce training programs, behind only Georgia (No. 1) and Alabama (No. 2) in the 50-state rating. You can listen to a Workforce Florida interview with Ken Krizner, Managing Editor of Expansion Management magazine and the author of this year’s article about Florida’s No. 3 ranking at www.WorkforceFlorida.com. This is the ninth year Expansion Management has conducted its poll of more than 80 site selection consultants and the first time in the poll’s history that any state has made a one-year advance of seven places in the rankings. Florida was ranked No. 10 in the 2006 poll. “Florida has made great inroads in the last few years with its workforce training programs and site location consultants are taking notice,” says Ken Krizner. “These consultants have judged Florida’s workforce training programs to be some of the best in the country. This shows the state does have a workforce that is ready to go, trainable and highly skilled.” Contributing to Florida’s top ranking and highlighted in the magazine coverage are three of the state’s leading initiatives that are often tapped by newly relocated and expanding businesses—the Quick Response Training (QRT), Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) and Employed Worker Training (EWT) grant programs. All three programs are aimed at improving workers’ skills and the competitiveness of Florida businesses. The QRT and IWT programs are administered by Workforce Florida. At least 16 of Florida’s 24 regional workforce boards administer EWT programs. Access the recorded Krizner interview online at: http://www.workforceflorida.com/wages/wfi/news/empoll.htm. Jacksonville Regional Chamber Of Commerce To Offer Workforce
Summit On September 11th - Third In A Series Of Events On Workforce
Development Issues.
First of Six Statewide Workforce
Forums Launches This Week. TALLAHASSEE—Florida’s business-driven workforce
system has worked strategically to find, develop and deliver
skilled talent to foster the growth of enterprise in our state.
Now Florida’s workforce system—joined by community,
business, economic development, education and government partners
as well as workforce system customers— is seeking renewed
solutions and fresh ideas to further advance the innovation
that has made Florida’s workforce system a national leader.
Collectively, all stakeholders of Florida’s workforce
system are being urged to participate in any of the six forums
planned throughout the state to share perspectives on how the
system can better address the current and future needs of Florida
businesses and workers. “The input from these meetings
is essential in structuring state programs aimed at providing
businesses with the highly skilled workers needed to be competitive
in this new economy,” said Workforce Florida Chairman
Katherine E. Wilson. “The consensus from these conversations
will provide a blueprint for building on Florida’s reputation
as a national model for workforce development well into the
future.” Hosted by Workforce Florida, as part of its
quarterly Board of Directors meeting, the first dialogue is
planned for August 23 at Gallery ONE-A DoubleTree Guest Suites
Hotel in Fort Lauderdale from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Joining
Workforce Florida and the Agency for Workforce Innovation in
bringing key partners together for Thursday’s discussion
are the state’s 24 regional workforce boards including
the Workforce Development Board of the Treasure Coast in Indian
River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties; Workforce
Alliance in Palm Beach County; WorkForce One in Broward County;
and the South Florida Workforce Board in Miami Dade and Monroe
counties. All six forums—aimed at designing the future
of Florida’s workforce system and delivering better solutions
for talent and business—are being moderated by Fairfield
Index Inc. of Tampa. Once the series of forums concludes, Fairfield
Index will prepare a report that will serve as a tool for guiding
the future direction of Florida’s workforce system.
The NationNASWAWorkforce Bulletin - August 17, 2007 – Headlines:
Grant and Competitive Award Opportunities and NoticesFor current information, visit the External Grant Opportunities page.Featured Opportunity:(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. August 23, 2007 August 23, 2007 Workforce Florida’s Regional Forums August 23rd September 5th Other Meetings/Conferences/Events:
August 22-24, 2007 September 18-21, 2007 September 24-26, 2007 May 18-20, 2008 Odds and EndsDynamic Works Institute Offers New Live Online Workshops Available at No Cost. On September 24th, 2007 Dynamic Works Institute will be kicking off a new Learning E-vents series with a complementary Online Conference. Dynamic Works Institute replicates the interaction of a live on site conference and workshops that are easy to use. Each workshop is usually 45 - 60 minutes in length. Details & Registration at: www.dynamicinstitute.com - click on the Learning E-vents banner at top right. The Office of Advocacy released an update to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). It estimates that there are 26.8 million small businesses in the United States, and addresses small businesses' importance to the U.S. economy. It provides data on small business firm survival, owner demographics, health care questions, regulations, and procurement. Advocacy's updated FAQs can be found at http://www.sba.gov/advo/stats/sbfaq.pdf. If you are interested in more information about the Office of Advocacy, please visit our website at http://www.sba.gov/advo/ or telephone at 202- 205-6533. State of Florida Coordinating Disability Programs
and Services. A new Office on Disability and Health at the University of
Florida will coordinate the state's myriad disability programs
and services thanks to a $1.6 million Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention grant. "Florida has strong disability-related
programs, but disability issues are often compartmentalized," said
Elena Andresen, director of the new office. To access the
article from the Jacksonville Business Journal go to http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2007/08/13/ Verizon Foundation Launches Thinkfinity. Verizon is hosting Thinkfinity, a comprehensive Web site containing a widespread collection of educational and literacy resources for teachers and after-school youth workers. http://www.thinkfinity.org. Quote for the Week:“Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, dissent, and debate.” Hubert H. Humphrey |
