CareerSource Central Florida

Board Meeting Recap: Workforce Trends and Challenges, Looking Ahead.

Carla Sosa — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 14:18:18 +0000

During last week’s Board meeting, Nilda Blanco, Senior Director, Business Intelligence, shared important workforce trends impacting the Central Florida community.

The most current unemployment rate across our five-county region, at 4.4%, ranks slightly higher than the state average of 4%.
Who are the currently unemployed?
- In our five-county region, the unemployed population is around 61K residents.
- In many cases, unemployment was due to massive COVID-related lay-offs in various industries including retail, healthcare and accommodation & food service.
- These industries include high representation of people of color and women, and both of these audiences are still suffering re-employment challenges.
- The unemployed demographic is largely prime working age – between 25-34 and 35-44.
- In addition, many young people delayed starting their first careers due to the pandemic.
Highest-demand industries in need and hiring right now include Construction and Utilities, Healthcare, and Hospitality & Tourism.
The workforce are reevaluating their work-life priorities, which is leading to the Great Resignation. An estimated 4.2 million workers resigned in October 2021. Priorities have changed and they are seeking better wages, work-life balance, ability to work remotely or hybrid and family-friendly work practices. Others are pivoting to new careers and acquiring new skills.
The challenge will deepen as we look ahead. There is a predicted significant increase in the shortage of workers, including an estimated 800,000 Baby Boomers retiring. We will see increased labor gaps and continued lower labor force participation among women, people of color, individuals with disabilities, and those with justice-involved backgrounds. In addition, workforce demographics are shifting as different generations in the workplace now demand a work-life balance and with remote work opportunities.

Change is happening fast, and CSCF is ready to support the challenges brought on by new trends in the workforce industry. Our solutions must address both short-term and long-term impacts as we create strategies to meet workforce demands, and we will explore more of these solutions in the coming months leading up to our board strategic retreat.

The post Board Meeting Recap: Workforce Trends and Challenges, Looking Ahead. appeared first on CareerSource Central Florida.

Seminole Career Center Has a New Look!

Carla Sosa — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 20:21:15 +0000

The Seminole Career Center renovation is complete, and the Center is open to receive customers with a new look and feel. The renovation project, which wrapped up last month, incorporates CareerSource Central Florida (CSCF) branding elements throughout the center, increasing our brand awareness with customers and offering enhanced accommodations for our customers.

Thank you to Board Members Andrew Albu and Matt Walton for recently visiting the Seminole Career Center to check out its new look.

If you would like to schedule a visit to the Seminole Career Center, please contact Kaz Kasal at kkasal@careersourcecf.com, and she will work with you to plan your visit. Visiting a Career Center counts towards your Board Member engagement activities.

Board Member, John Gill visiting the Seminole Career Center

The post Seminole Career Center Has a New Look! appeared first on CareerSource Central Florida.

Now Playing: CSCF’s Job Launchpad Podcast Series – Season 3

Carla Sosa — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 20:04:25 +0000

September is Workforce Development Month which marked the beginning of a new season of CSCF’s Job Launchpad podcast series! Pam Nabors interviewed Mike Fazio, Founder and CEO of Workforce 180, an industry organization specializing in workforce consulting, training, and marketing. During the new episode titled “Career Journey: A Conversation with Mike Fazio,” Mike shared highlights of his career journey, from working in telecommunications and sales to finding the right career path in workforce development. He also shared valuable insight and advice for anyone looking for a new job or making a career change.

CSCF Job Launchpad now has more than 10 free podcast episodes that cover a range of topics including advice on your career path, interviewing tips, finance, and more. We encourage you to listen, subscribe, and share this beneficial resource throughout your networks. All episodes are available on the CSCF website and podcast platforms, including Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, and Stitcher. Stay tuned for the next episode featuring CSCF Board Member Richard Sweat.

Listen to Career Journey: A Conversation with Mike Fazio, CEO of Workforce180

The post Now Playing: CSCF’s Job Launchpad Podcast Series – Season 3 appeared first on CareerSource Central Florida.

I4 Business Spirit of Progress Award!

Carla Sosa — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 20:05:53 +0000

We already know that Pam Nabors is an outstanding leader who’s deeply passionate about helping our community and readily shares her knowledge to connect and help others. She’s steered CSCF through an extraordinarily challenging economic time through this pandemic. And now even more of Central Florida knows it too. Pam was recently honored with i4 Business magazine’s “Spirit of Progress” Award at the 2021 Women’s Inspired Leadership Virtual Awards ceremony.

The awards celebrated the accomplishments of women throughout Central Florida who are making a difference in the community. She’s featured on the cover and an article in this month’s issue too!

View i4 Business Magazine March Edition

Read the Press Release

The post I4 Business Spirit of Progress Award! appeared first on CareerSource Central Florida.

Summer Youth Program – You Can Make a Difference

Carla Sosa — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 19:58:43 +0000

With three career-readiness tracks including Explore, Experience, and Accelerate, young adults in Central Florida (ages 15-19) will gain exposure to college experiences and multiple career pathways in high-growth industries, receive professional internships, and take part in specialized career training. This year, we’re aiming to provide 1,500 young adults with scholarship opportunities, and your support is needed.

1. Sponsor a Young Adult. By donating to the 2021 CSCF Summer Youth program, your investment will directly help shape the lives of young people to take them from learners to earners. Learn more about the sponsorship levels available.

2. Encourage a Young Adult. If you know of any young adults that can benefit from this complimentary program, encourage them to apply at CareerSourceCentralFlorida.com/Summer-Youth.

3. Host an Intern. If you’d like to host an intern at your business this summer, at no cost to you, click on the ‘Host an Intern’ link below.

Host an Intern

The post Summer Youth Program – You Can Make a Difference appeared first on CareerSource Central Florida.

Osceola Community Connections

Carla Sosa — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 19:51:40 +0000

CSCF’s Osceola Career Center hosted two recent visits from new Board member, Stella Siracuza and new Consortium member, Osceola Commissioner Olga Castano and their guests. Both wanted to deepen their understanding of our services, and the meetings and tours will lead to important next steps for community and business connections in Osceola County.

The post Osceola Community Connections appeared first on CareerSource Central Florida.

Valencia College’s Peace and Justice Institute

Carla Sosa — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 21:37:34 +0000

Last month, we shared information about the Orlando Economic Partnership’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) pledge that was signed by more than 100 Central Florida leaders, including Pam Nabors. The pledge signified a commitment to raising the growth potential within the workplace and of its residents by creating opportunities for those long-affected by racial inequality and ensuring pathways for participation in the economy. For CSCF, as part of that commitment, this means action.

In March we will begin to work with Valencia College’s Peace and Justice Institute (PJI) to coordinate training based on the PJI Principles to create common language and practices to build respect to nurture an inclusive, caring and respectful environment at work and within our community. More to come on this, so please stay tuned!

Learn more about the Peace and Justice Institute here.

The post Valencia College’s Peace and Justice Institute appeared first on CareerSource Central Florida.

Summer Youth Program to Invest in 1,500 Young Adults

Carla Sosa — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 21:16:44 +0000

To better connect our local young adults to career prosperity, we have officially launched our 2021 Summer Youth Program. With a hybrid approach of in-person and virtual experiences, we’re preparing young adults in Central Florida for success in tomorrow’s workforce, while partnering with educators and local businesses to help ignite their potential in the early stages of their career journeys.

Investing in Central Florida’s young adults is critical as we shape tomorrow’s workforce and our future leaders.The Summer Youth Program helps young adults (ages 15-19) receive professional internships, take part in specialized career training, or gain exposure to college experiences, hands on projects and multiple career pathways in high-growth industries while earning wages and incentives.

If you know of any young adults that can benefit from this complimentary program, please encourage them to apply at CareerSourceCentralFlorida.com/Summer-Youth.

Stay tuned for more information about how to sponsor a Summer Youth Intern.

The post Summer Youth Program to Invest in 1,500 Young Adults appeared first on CareerSource Central Florida.

CSCF Performance Update

Carla Sosa — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 21:12:36 +0000

With Central Florida’s economy still in recovery, CSCF is an integral part of that recovery as we engage customers, deliver talent acquisition for businesses, and serve the community through the pandemic. We’re on target in some of our highest-priority goals. We invite you to view this week’s latest performance update and how CSCF is making a difference in the lives of Central Floridians.

With a little over two quarters left of the program year, CSCF has been engaging customers, delivering talent acquisition for our businesses and staying focused on serving the community throughout this pandemic. Let’s take a look at some of the numbers…

The post CSCF Performance Update appeared first on CareerSource Central Florida.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Carla Sosa — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 16:17:39 +0000

CSCF and others in Orlando’s business community signed a commitment to improve regional diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) with a “Take the Pledge” initiative recently. Pam Nabors is among the 73 CEOs and top executives that added their companies’ names and joined the regional effort. The effort is focused on raising the growth potential within the workplace and of its residents by creating opportunities for those long-affected by racial inequality and ensuring pathways for participation in the economy.

The Pledge also serves to guide actions that its adopters can take to demonstrate their commitment to increasing access and opportunities for Black businesses and other minority-owned companies.

Stay tuned for more on CSCF’s diversity initiatives launching soon.

The post Diversity, Equity and Inclusion appeared first on CareerSource Central Florida.

HELP IS HERE – YEAR END UPDATES

Carla Sosa — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 18:45:55 +0000

Weekly $125 Stipends
Orange County residents affected by COVID-19, may not only get some financial help to cover other expenses while they’re enrolled in training, but they’ll learn and discover new career pathways to potentially pivot into a different industry – all free of cost to them, thanks to the County.

More than 10 technical skills training courses began Nov. 30, 2020 with the length of options varying from four to 10 weeks, including career consultation and job search support upon completion from CSCF. Valencia College’s offerings focus on intensive, hands-on training designed to advance skills or enable participants to enter a new career field. Participants will earn industry-recognized credentials, receive job placement support, and have the potential to earn average entry-level salaries in high-demand fields between $12-$20 per hour.

Guaranteed Interviews
From now until Dec. 31, 2020, CareerSource Central Florida (CSCF) is offering eligible Orange County residents guaranteed interviews with participating hiring companies through the Help is Here program. They can receive interviews with participating companies in healthcare, transportation or telecommunications that are currently hiring for various in-demand jobs across Central Florida with wages ranging from $11.50-$16.00/hour.
To apply, Orange County residents can visit our Help is Here webpage.

The post HELP IS HERE – YEAR END UPDATES appeared first on CareerSource Central Florida.

Media Coverage: WFTV-TV Shares Help is Here Customer Success Story

Carla Sosa — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 19:01:49 +0000

Help is Here customer Walter Tyler worked at KFC for more than a year. Without any warning after returning from vacation, he discovered that he had been laid off due to the impacts of COVID-19 on the Central Florida economy. Immediately, he began searching for another job but wasn’t having any luck. Looking for resources and support, Walter attended an event with Dream City, a community organization, where he learned about CareerSource Central Florida (CSCF) and the Help is Here program (HIH).

Through HIH, Orange County residents can receive access to free short-term training to help them get back on their feet as quickly as possible. Walter contacted CSCF career consultant Danielle Heider who, along with business consultant Axel de Jesus, helped him find the perfect match for a paid internship opportunity.

Walter found the right internship with Unity Auto part of their Janitorial Staff. Through the internship, Walter is also assisting auto mechanics with collision and work maintenance. Although he has extensive professional experience in the food service industry, he has always enjoyed working with cars. The internship through the Help is Here program is now allowing him to pursue his passion and gain experience in the automotive industry. Walter remained motivated and optimistic despite the circumstances – and never gave up.

Click here to watch WFTV’s coverage.

The post Media Coverage: WFTV-TV Shares Help is Here Customer Success Story appeared first on CareerSource Central Florida.