Tallahassee, FL — For the first time, Florida’s local workforce development boards are receiving letter grades to provide a baseline measurement to help identify areas in which they excel and areas that can be strengthened to improve outcomes for job seekers, workers and businesses. The letter grades are among several components of the state’s 2021 Reimagining Education and Career Help (REACH) Act to provide greater transparency and accountability in Florida’s workforce and education systems.
Using criteria set by the Governor’s REACH Office and data from the 2021-2022 fiscal year, CareerSource Florida announced during the Oct. 18 CareerSource Florida Board Executive Committee meeting that 13 As, 10 Bs and one C had been assigned to the 24 local workforce development boards.
“The goals of the REACH Act are consistent with the goals of CareerSource Florida: to ensure a seamless, integrated experience and access for all Floridians to programs, opportunities, and training that lead to economic prosperity and self-sufficiency,” said Stephanie Smith, Chair of the CareerSource Florida Board of Directors. “We embrace the spirit of transparency and accountability and will use this data to further elevate service delivery throughout our workforce system.”
Under the REACH Act, letter grades for local workforce development boards will be released annually.
“The local workforce development boards within the CareerSource Florida network strive daily to connect Floridians with jobs through career and education assistance, training and placement, helping them and Florida’s employers to succeed and prosper,” said CareerSource Florida President and CEO Michelle Dennard. “These baseline grades reflect a high degree of success while illuminating opportunities to further enhance business and workforce services for our customers.
Metrics used in the calculation of letter grades include how well local workforce development boards are meeting federal accountability measures, how many job seekers served receive work-related training, how many participants earn more in the second quarter after receiving workforce services, how many employers are return customers for business services, and the reduction in the number of participants on long-term public assistance.
For more information about letter grades, including metrics and methodology, visit analytics.careersourceflorida.com/lettergrades.
###
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.