Tallahassee, Fla. – Beginning today, July 1, new federal funds are available to support career seekers and businesses following the CareerSource Florida Board of Directors’ approval of a $240.3 million state workforce system budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.
The new budget expands upon the continued efforts of Florida’s workforce system to adapt and respond to the needs of businesses and career seekers including advancing industry sector strategies, expanding apprenticeships, investing in training to support small businesses and strengthening the talent delivery system in rural areas. In response to the substantial economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s budget also includes investments to support Florida’s workforce system in the restart and recovery of the state’s economy and reimagine ways to meet the emerging needs of Florida’s businesses.
“The CareerSource Florida Board’s 2020-2021 state workforce system budget is future-focused and also addresses the immediate challenges Florida’s businesses and career seekers are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said CareerSource Florida Board Chairman Kevin Doyle, founding partner of Wexford Strategies. “Under the strong leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, who recently signed Senate Bill 426 emphasizing this board’s role in aligning workforce policy with his vision for Florida’s future, we are focused on ensuring the workforce system is flexible and responsive to the heightened need for workforce education and training in this new era.”
More than 85% of funds received from the U.S. Department of Labor are allocated by the state board to the 24 local workforce development boards throughout the state that provide recruiting, hiring and training services for businesses and career seekers. About 8.5% of the budget is allocated for state-level strategic workforce initiatives and innovative pilot projects as directed by the state board. The remaining funds cover operational and administrative costs at the state level.
“With record unemployment caused by the pandemic and more than two million unemployment claims filed, we have urgent work to do in the months ahead,” said CareerSource Florida Finance Council Chairman and New Horizons South Florida President Arnie Girnun. “This year’s workforce system budget will provide necessary investments and strong strategic direction to facilitate a swift and thorough recovery.”
Priority investments of the board include an $8.5 million allocation to local workforce development boards to help unemployed Floridians get back to work and gain new skills to better prepare them for in-demand and evolving employment opportunities due to current economic downturn. This investment will ensure these local partners who work directly with employers and Floridians in their communities have the resources to fortify technology systems, business services and career-building resources necessary to meet the increased demand.
During the June 4 meeting, the board also heard from U.S. Department of Labor Assistant Secretary John Pallasch, Deputy Assistant Secretary Amy Simon and Acting Regional Administrator Winston Tompoe. These federal partners shared priorities and trends from a national perspective and stressed the key roles of board governance and leadership to effectuate the governor’s vision for a competitive, future-focused workforce.
The board also approved Strategic Policy 2020.06.04.A.2, Board Roles and Responsibilities, updating and delineating the roles and responsibilities of the state board within the state’s workforce system in accordance with state and federal law.
More information and meeting materials are available at careersourceflorida.com/boardroom.
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ABOUT CAREERSOURCE FLORIDA
CareerSource Florida, with its business-led board of directors, provides policy direction for talent development programs administered by the Department of Economic Opportunity, Florida’s 24 local workforce development boards and their 100 career centers. The CareerSource Florida State Board serves as the Governor’s principal workforce policy and investment board, working in partnership with DEO, which is responsible for the state workforce system’s fiscal and administrative affairs, and local workforce development boards that serve Florida’s businesses and career seekers. Together, the CareerSource Florida network connects employers with qualified, skilled talent and Floridians with employment and career development opportunities to achieve economic prosperity. Learn more at careersourceflorida.com.