 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Workforce Florida Weekly Update 12-12-07 |
CONTENTS The State & RegionsGovernor Crist Tours Florida’s Largest Building-Integrated Solar Energy System ~ Energy System Will Reduce Energy Costs And Greenhouse-Gas Emissions. FORT LAUDERDALE – Governor Charlie Crist today attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Florida’s largest building-integrated photovoltaic solar energy system. The solar energy system will provide up to 100 percent of Advanced Green Technologies’ 10,000-square-foot headquarters power during daytime hours. The company provides renewable energy products for residential and commercial use. “More and more businesses in the Sunshine State are taking advantage of solar energy, and it makes sense for us to do so,” Governor Crist said. “I commend Advanced Green Technologies for leading the way to show other innovative businesses the potential of this renewable energy.” Prior to the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Rob Kornahrens, president of Advanced Green Technologies, and Rich Paul-Hus, vice president of business development for Hypower Inc., provided Governor Crist with information about the building’s hurricane-resistant solar laminates. The solar energy system, installed by Hypower Inc. and Advanced Roofing, will reduce energy costs and produce no greenhouse gases. The solar system is interconnected to the Florida Power and Light (FPL) power grid, and when the system produces more energy than the building uses, the extra power can be fed back to the grid to be used by other FPL customers. Advanced Green Technologies will then receive a credit on their energy bill. In July, Governor Crist announced the installation of a solar pool heating system at the Florida Governor’s Mansion. The renewable energy source reduces carbon emissions and energy costs, making the mansion more energy efficient and climate friendly. About the Governor’s Climate Change Initiatives: During the Serve to Preserve Summit on Global Climate Change, Governor Crist outlined details about his plan to reduce Florida’s green-house gas emissions and increase energy efficiency. The Governor’s plan reduces statewide greenhouse gas emissions to 2000 levels by 2017, to 1990 levels by 2025, and by 80 percent of 1990 levels by 2050. For more information about Governor Crist’s actions to address global climate change, please visit www.MyFloridaClimate.com or www.flgov.com. Governor Applauds Corporate Sponsors For Support Of School Choice Initiative ~ Celebrating School Choice And Achievements Of Step Up For Students Scholarship Recipients. MIAMI – Governor Charlie Crist this week attended the “Building Futures, Bridging Gaps” Rally and applauded the efforts of over 100 corporations who have contributed to the Corporate Tax Credit Program. The Governor also celebrated the achievements of the Step Up for Students Scholarships, an initiative of the Corporate Tax Credit Program. This program provides a means for low-income students to attend private schools or public schools outside of their district. “These scholarships are an example of how we can adapt public education to a new century,” said Governor Crist. “Step Up for Students is one way that we are diversifying our approach to public education and school choice initiatives. By giving parents the ability to choose the education that best meets their child’s learning needs means that all students are given access to the world-class education Florida has to offer.” The Governor was joined at the rally by Representative Ronald Brisé, former Congresswoman Carrie Meek and other dignitaries. Miami is home to over 4,000 low-income scholarship students who are attending the school of their choice through the Corporate Tax Credit Program. The Corporate Tax Credit Program was established in 2001 by the Florida Legislature to offer more educational opportunities to low-income families. Students who receive these educational scholarships can attend a private or public school of their choice. Scholarships for over 16,000 students were awarded during the 2006-2007 school year. Student participation in 2006-2007 reflects a 10% increase in enrollment from the 2005-2006 school year. Scholarship Funding Organizations are responsible for the receipt and distribution of corporate funds to eligible students. Families use the scholarships for students to attend a private school or assisting with transportation costs to attend a public school in an adjacent district. In 2007-2008, the three Scholarship Funding Organizations to participate in the Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship Program are Children’s First Florida, Florida P.R.I.D.E. and The Carrie Meek Foundation. For more information, please visit www.stepupforstudents.com. Governor Crist Announces Applications Available for Gubernatorial Fellows Program. TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist this week announced the opening of the application process for the Gubernatorial Fellows program. This program, established in 2004, gives college and university students around the state the unique opportunity to spend a semester working alongside state government’s top staff. These students receive firsthand, on-the-job training as well as valuable high-level experience and insight into state government and how it works. “It is a privilege to serve the people of the great state of Florida – my boss,” said Governor Crist. “I believe public service remains one of the greatest callings a person can follow. I recognize the honor, as well as the awesome responsibility it is to serve with integrity, openness and a listening ear. I think the Gubernatorial Fellows program is a unique way for students to learn about the impact public service has on the lives of all Floridians.” Approximately 12 students from across the state are selected to serve as Gubernatorial Fellows each year. Eligible candidates are graduate students or upperclassmen at a Florida college or university. Fellows are matched with projects, based upon their expertise and interest, to maximize both their learning experience and the contributions they make to state government. Fellows are expected to participate, perform and contribute at the same level as high-level staff. In order to make the program open to all eligible students, Florida’s public universities and many of the state’s private colleges will waive tuition for students participating in the program. In addition to the time Fellows spend at their respective agency, they also meet once a week as a group to discuss their experiences with classmates. During these meetings, they meet face-to-face with prominent leaders, including Governor Crist, Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp, Cabinet officers, agency heads and top government officials. Applications will be accepted until February 17, 2008. The 2008 Gubernatorial Fellows class will be announced March 17, 2008, and the first day of the program is May 12, 2008. For more information about the Gubernatorial Fellows program or to obtain an application, please visit www.myflorida.com/fellows. VA Announces $4.7 Million to Help Caregivers Department Enhancing Education, Training and Resources – Three Florida Locations Will Benefit. WASHINGTON (December 6, 2007) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Last week announced it will provide nearly $4.7 million for "caregiver assistance pilot programs" to expand and improve health care education and provide needed training and resources for caregivers who assist disabled and aging veterans in their homes."This funding will enhance support and training for the family members and other caregivers who sacrifice to care for disabled and aging veterans," said Acting VA Secretary Gordon H. Mansfield. "At VA, we're committed to looking after caregivers who dedicate their own time and well-being to take care of loved ones who are veterans." The pilot programs will support eight caregiver projects across the country including two with three locations in Florida. In addition, VA provides support and assistance through a variety of programs such as care management, social work service, care coordination, geriatrics and extended care, and through its nationwide volunteer programs. Among the key services provided to caregivers are transportation, respite care, case management and service coordination, assistance with personal care (bathing and grooming), social and emotional support, and home safety evaluations. Education programs teach caregivers how to obtain community resources such as legal assistance, financial support, housing assistance, home delivered meals and spiritual support. In addition, caregivers are taught skills such as time management techniques, medication management, communication skills with the medical staff and the veteran, and ways to take better care of themselves. Many of the projects use technology, including computers, Web-based training, video conferencing and teleconferencing to support the needs of caregivers who often cannot leave their homes to participate in support activities. The VA pilot programs announced located in Florida are:
From the December Issue of Inside Florida's High Tech Corridor:
The Jacksonville Regional Chamber Of Commerce Is Launching A New Web Site In January (from The Daily Record Headlines 12-12-07). The site will connect local employers with prospective college interns. The internships will be posted and students will be able to apply online. “For technology-driven young professionals capable of finding work opportunities around the globe, using tools native to their generation is essential in attracting students to Northeast Florida for an internship or job opportunity,” said Bob White, city president of Compass Bank and 2007 existing business and work force development chair for the Chamber. Suncoast Announces New Technical High School Underway. School district officials, high school students and representatives of the business community gathered on December 5th for a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate Suncoast Polytechnical High School, a new 67,000-square-foot facility being built to accommodate 600 students in 23 classrooms. Construction of the new facility is well underway on the campus of Sarasota County Technical Institute. The new high school has been designed to attract highly motivated students who have strong interests in technology, whether they are planning to pursue a college degree, seek post-secondary education or enter the workforce after graduation. Core curriculum classes such as language arts, math and social studies will have a technology and business focus. Many of the Suncoast Workforce Board's Board members were present to share their perspective on the importance of this new technical high school. Dale Vollrath, Owner of TRC Staffing Services and past Chair of the Suncoast Workforce Board, called Suncoast Polytechnical “a dream come true…representing new horizons, visions and opportunities…to prepare students for the 21st century global workforce.” Dale Vollrath is pictured fourth from the right. Kathy Baylis, President, Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, said business leaders will welcome the “focus on talent” that the new school will provide to attract and retain a wide variety of companies. Steve Queior, President, the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce quoted author H.G. Wells, who said, “The future is a race between education and catastrophe.” Queior added, “This new school will help education win the race.” The Suncoast Polytechnical High school is scheduled to open in August, 2008 and a second career technical school for south county students is scheduled to open in Venice in 2009. For more information, visit www.sarasotacountyschools.net/sphs. The NationUSAJOBS Connects With Major Search Engines - Initiative Raises Visibility Of Federal Job Postings. Washington, D.C. - U.S. Office of Personnel Management Director Linda M. Springer announced USAJOBS has initiated a new data feed with vacancy announcement information being made available to major Internet search engines. As a result of the initiative, users of the major search engines will have enhanced access to information about Federal job vacancies posted on USAJOBS. "By doing this, we're making information about the tens of thousands of Federal job openings posted at any given moment on USAJOBS as broadly accessible as possible on the Web," said Springer upon announcing OPM's latest outreach effort for the U.S. government's central vacancy-posting portal. Using the data feed from USAJOBS, Internet search engines will be able to provide their own users with access to information previously only available through a keyword search on the USAJOBS website. For example, someone who types in a job title on Google or other engines, such as "IT Specialist" or "Electrical Engineer", will now also see links to Federal vacancy announcements in those fields. "The result is we're reaching an ever-wider and more diverse universe of qualified prospects for Federal employment, providing access to the information people need in order to be aware and consider the opportunities that are available," said the OPM Director, who indicated the enhanced access became effective on December 1, 2007. USAJOBS currently features over 60,000 vacancy announcements from throughout the Federal government. The site averages over 10 million visitors each month, who generate over 123 million monthly page hits. USAJOBS has over 5 million active job seeker accounts and has over 2 million resumes on file. www.usajobs.com. National Governors Association & National Association
of State Budget Officers Release The Fiscal Survey of States. State fiscal conditions remained strong for most states in
fiscal 2007, but overall growth slowed slightly from the robust
conditions of fiscal 2006. Revenues were generally stable and
only one state was forced to make mid-year budget cuts. Conditions
across the states varied widely, with some states cutting taxes
and increasing funding for programs, and others relying on
budget stabilization funds and spending cuts to address lower-than-anticipated
revenues. While revenue growth was generally strong in fiscal
2007, fiscal 2008 enacted budgets reflect more modest growth,
and some states have already reported budget shortfalls. Expenditure
pressures continue as demands for increased funding of programs
such as Medicaid persists and states face looming long-term
issues such as funding pensions, demographic shifts, and maintenance
and repair of infrastructure. Access the report at: http://www.nasbo.org/Publications/PDFs/Fiscal%20Survey% Grant and Competitive Award Opportunities and NoticesFor current information, visit the External Grant Opportunities page.Featured Opportunity:
|
