Tallahassee, FL — Last week, the CareerSource Florida Board of Directors approved several policies that further a multi-year comprehensive plan to modernize the state’s workforce system.
A core component of the three-pillar Florida Workforce System Transformation Plan is Regional Planning, in which a minimum of two contiguous local workforce development areas align workforce development activities and resources. The goal is to create efficiencies, ensure better customer experiences, enable resource sharing, and optimize opportunities for regional economic growth.
In last week’s meeting, the Board of Directors approved the requests for designation as Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Planning Regions for the following areas:
- CareerSource Escarosa, covering Escambia and Santa Rosa counties; CareerSource Okaloosa Walton, covering Okaloosa and Walton counties; CareerSource Chipola, covering Calhoun, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, and Washington counties; and CareerSource Gulf Coast, covering Bay, Franklin, and Gulf counties.
- CareerSource Research Coast, covering Indian River, Martin, and St. Lucie counties; and CareerSource Palm Beach, covering Palm Beach County.
“The designation of two new Planning Regions is an exciting step forward in improving outcomes for job seekers and businesses across the state,” said Stephanie Smith, Chair of the CareerSource Florida Board of Directors. “On behalf of the entire CareerSource Florida Board of Directors, I commend the collaboration of the local elected leadership for their dedication to fostering this positive development.”
Designation of the two regional planning areas represents a major achievement in the implementation of the Florida Workforce System Transformation Plan, as a primary goal is to identify at least two regional planning areas by June 30, 2024.
The Florida Workforce System Transformation Plan, empowered by the state’s Reimagining Education and Career Help (REACH) Act, was approved by the CareerSource Florida Board of Directors in February 2023. In addition to Regional Planning, the plan’s pillars include Alignment and Consolidation and System-wide Improvements. Implementation of the plan is currently underway and will result in enhanced alignment and accountability, serve job seekers and businesses more effectively, and improve outcomes for Floridians.
During the meeting, members of the board also heard an update on the 2024 – 2028 WIOA Combined State Plan. The plan, developed for the U.S. Department of Labor, is the first combined plan to be submitted by Florida, uniting partners under the same set of goals and performance outcomes. Core partners include CareerSource Florida, FloridaCommerce, and the Florida Department of Education Division of Career and Adult Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and Division of Blind Services.
“Florida’s draft WIOA Combined Plan presents a collaborative blueprint for an accountable and outcomes focused workforce development system,” said Adrienne Johnston, President and CEO of CareerSource Florida. “Through improved collaboration, we will expand career opportunities for Floridians, while meeting the evolving talent needs of Florida’s dynamic economic growth.”
The 2024-2028 WIOA Combined State Plan is available for public comment until March 21 at careersourceflorida.com/about-us/reports-and-publications/.
In last week’s meeting, the CareerSource Florida Board of Directors also approved the delivery of the 2024-2025 Master Credentials List, which contains more than 2,300 credentials of value, to the State Board of Education. This dynamic list will continue to evolve as new credentials that meet labor market needs, as outlined in the Framework of Quality, are added on a quarterly basis.
The Master Credentials List serves as a public and transparent inventory of state-approved credentials of value within the current and future job market. The list directs the use of federal and state funds for workforce education and training programs that lead to approved credentials of value.
As required by the REACH Act, the CareerSource Florida Board of Directors appointed the state’s first Credentials Review Committee in 2021. The Committee defined credentials of value and developed the Framework of Quality by which credentials for the Master Credentials List would be evaluated.
The Master Credentials List online application is open year-round for Florida school districts, Florida College System institutions, and local workforce development boards to submit credentials for consideration.
The next quarterly deadline to submit applications is March 31. Apply at careersourceflorida.com/mcl.
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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 Florida Department of Commerce (FloridaCommerce), Florida’s 24 local workforce development boards and their 100 career centers. The CareerSou rce Florida Board of Directors serves as the Governor’s principal workforce policy and investment board, working in partnership with FloridaCommerce, 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.