PALM COAST, Fla. – At its quarterly meeting today in Palm Coast, the CareerSource Florida Board of Directors approved $249.4 million in funding for the state workforce system in the fiscal year beginning July 1. The new budget includes historic investments in apprenticeship expansion and builds upon the board’s established priorities for continuous improvement in the CareerSource Florida network’s service to job seekers and businesses.
“The CareerSource Florida Board’s future-focused 2019-2020 state workforce system budget aligns with the strong emphasis Gov. Ron DeSantis has placed on talent development and workforce training,” said Board Chair Kevin Doyle, founding partner of Wexford Strategies in Jacksonville. “Our board’s investments in apprenticeships, rural workforce solutions, accountability enhancements and other key initiatives will further advance our state’s national reputation as a leader in workforce development strategies that fuel Florida’s booming economy.”
More than 85 percent of funds received from the U.S. Department of Labor are allocated by the state board to 24 local workforce development boards throughout Florida that provide recruiting, hiring and training services for businesses as well as career assistance to Floridians. About 9 percent of the budget is allocated for state-level strategic workforce initiatives and innovative pilot projects as directed by the state board. The remaining 6 percent covers operational and administrative costs at the state level.
“The CareerSource Florida Board’s investment of an additional $1.75 million to facilitate a further expansion of apprenticeship opportunities in Florida is well-timed and greatly needed in industries that drive regional economies such as healthcare, technology and aerospace,” said Finance Council Chair Arnie Girnun, president of New Horizons South Florida. “Our board of volunteer business, state and community leaders is honored to be able to positively impact Floridians across our state through strategic workforce investments that strengthen businesses and help people find jobs.”
The board also received an overview from Cambridge Systematics of preliminary findings in a study of what the gig economy means to Florida’s economy and to the state workforce system’s abilities to respond to the needs of workers and employers. Gig work may be a primary source of income or supplement earnings from traditional jobs. Gig work is project-based employment and may be enabled through online platforms. The overview was followed by an engaging panel discussion by gig economy experts and participants, moderated by board member Stephanie Smith.
“The research commissioned by our board shows the significant value for our state of this growing trend, including opportunities for unemployed Floridians to gain work experience and skills, Floridians with transportation or childcare issues to support their families, and entrepreneurs to start their own small businesses,” said Smith, Uber Senior Manager of Florida Public Policy.
Cambridge Systematics’ full study of the gig economy’s impact on Florida’s workforce system, commissioned by the CareerSource Florida board, will be published next month. For more information on CareerSource Florida, please visit careersourceflorida.com.
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