Workforce Alliance Offering Free Microsoft Technology Training 

Month of May Designated “Workforce Development Professionals Month”

In Palm Beach County

May 4, 2010 -- The Palm Beach Board of County Commissioners proclaimed the month of May 2010 to be “Workforce Development Professionals Month” in Palm Beach County.  County Commissioner Priscilla Taylor presented the official proclamation to Workforce Alliance President and Chief Executive Officer, Kathryn Schmidt, at the weekly meeting of the Board of County Commissioners.

The proclamation specifically recognizes the professional employees of Workforce Alliance and the dual role they play in helping employers throughout the County recruit and retain a competitive workforce, and helping job seekers obtain workplace skills and permanent employment.

Ms. Schmidt said, “I very much appreciate the Commission issuing this proclamation because it stands as a public expression of gratitude from the leadership of Palm Beach County for the dedicated services of all workforce development professionals here in Palm Beach County.”

Ms. Schmidt followed up by sending a message to the employees of Workforce Alliance, saying, “The Proclamation, signed by all seven members of the Board of County Commissioners, not only declares the month of May to be ‘Workforce Development Professionals Month’ in Palm Beach County, it also gives well-deserved recognition to each of you for the important role that you, as Workforce Development Professionals, fulfill in the economic development of our County.”

She added, “As stated in the proclamation, employers depend on your services to help them recruit and retain a competitive workforce; those who are unemployed need the assistance of knowledgeable and dedicated professionals as they seek employment opportunities, and the youth of our County are in need of the work readiness and training services provided by Workforce Alliance for their career development.  Our community depends on you for these important services, and you perform them well!  Thank you.”

Workforce Alliance is the non-profit company chartered by the State of Florida to develop and manage a workforce system in Palm Beach County. It operates three Career Centers and two Professional Placement Centers and offers its professional services to all employers and job seekers in Palm Beach County.

Florida MEP and Florida Power and Light/FPL

 Partner with Workforce Alliance to Sponsor Workforce Summit 2010

Workforce Alliance is hosting the fourth annual Workforce Summit on May 7, 2010 featuring Geoffrey Colvin, Fortune Magazine senior editor-at-large and nationally known authority on workforce issues.

Kathryn Schmidt, President and Chief Executive Officer of Workforce Alliance, said, “We are pleased that Florida Manufacturing Extension Partnership and Florida Power and Light/FPL have partnered with us as the platinum and gold sponsors, respectively, to bring this outstanding presentation to Palm Beach County employers, businesses, educational partners and community organizations.”

The Workforce Summit will cover the major points of Colvin’s best-selling book, “Talent is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else.”

Online registration is available on line at this website (click on button at right), or by calling, 561.340.1060 ext. 2373. The event will be held at the Kravis Center Cohen Pavilion on May 7, 2010 beginning with networking at 7:30 a.m. The $50 fee for attendees includes participation in the seminar, a copy of the book, “Talent is Overrated,” and breakfast.  Seating is limited and walk-ins will be admitted based on seating capacity.

The Florida Manufacturing Extension Partnership provides training and support to local manufacturing enterprises by facilitating interaction between industry, government and academia. Their services include: Enterprise Transformation, Performance Based Training, Supply Chain Management, and Innovation.

Florida Power & Light Company/FPL is one of the largest and highest-performing electric utilities in the nation.  FPL provides affordable, reliable, clean-energy solutions and is committed to the development of smarter, cleaner, more efficient sources of renewable   energy.

Workforce Alliance is the non-profit company chartered by the State of Florida to develop and manage a workforce system in Palm Beach County.   It operates three Career Centers and two Professional Placement Centers and offers its professional services to all employers and job seekers in the County. 

WORKFORCE ALLIANCE AWARDED $27.2 MILLION GRANT
TO PROVIDE JOBS FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY WORKERS

          • “Florida Back To Work” Program Initiated in Palm Beach County

West Palm Beach, FL – March 19, 2010  – Workforce Alliance has been  awarded a $27.2 million grant by the State of Florida to fund a workforce program that will provide over 700 professional and entry-level jobs in Palm Beach County for job seekers who meet the federal eligibility guidelines.  The program, designed to run through the end of September 2010, is funded by the statewide “Florida Back to Work” program, which was introduced by Governor Charlie Crist to bolster the economy of the State and to create new jobs.

Kathryn Schmidt, President and Chief Executive Officer of Workforce Alliance explained, “Job Seekers meeting the eligibility requirements will be referred by Workforce Alliance for placement at already approved employer job sites throughout the County.  Initially, our staff will ask each person to present documentation to establish their eligibility.   Those meeting the criteria will then have an assessment of their experience and skills for referral to an appropriate employer.  The employer makes  the final decision on the person to be selected for each position.”

Ms. Schmidt added, “Employers are required to meet a portion of the payroll costs, thus bringing the total impact of the new jobs in the County to approximately $35 million.”
Eligible job seekers, as defined by the federal guidelines, are individuals whose households have a total income below 200 percent of the “Federal Poverty Level” for the last thirty days, and also have at least one dependent child under the age 18, or 19 if attending school, living in the household.

West Palm Beach, Florida -- October 20, 2009 -- Workforce Alliance is sponsoring the appearance of nationally known authorities on workforce issues at a Palm Beach County Workforce Leadership Forum on January 27 and the fourth annual Workforce Summit in May 2010.  Each event will address topics pertaining to workforce issues commonly faced by employers.

Kathryn Schmidt, President and Chief Executive of Workforce Alliance, said, “We are fortunate to be able to host two outstanding speakers who will provide solutions and unique insight for employers facing workforce challenges.  The vision, principles and ideas to be presented during these events will contribute to our workforce development planning process for the continued growth of the Palm Beach County’s economic and business interests.”

The events are a continuation of the Workforce Forums and Summits of the past three years and are open to all businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, employers and community organizations that wish to participate.  The series of events is intended to identify breakthrough solutions to workforce issues and identify the knowledge, skills and abilities that employers will require in the future.

West Palm Beach – October 15, 2009 – Numerous Palm Beach County employers are scheduled to recruit potential new employees at the Job and Benefits Fair for Veterans being held at the Workforce Alliance Career Center in West Palm Beach on Friday, November 6, 2009, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The companies that will be conducting interviews and seeking to hire veterans include major employers such as Boca Resort & Hotel, Boca West Master Association, Carmax, Champion Solutions Group, Cintas Corporation, Comcast Cable, DeVry University’s Keller Center for Corporate Learning, Florida Power and Light, G4S/Wackenhut, General Dynamics Aviation Services, Hilton Garden Inn, Home Depot, Office Depot, Sears Roebuck & Co., the US Border Patrol, US Remodelers, the V.A. Medical Center, and Valley Crest Landscape Maintenance.

West Palm Beach, Florida – October 14, 2009 – Workforce Alliance is on the road again with their two Mobile Resource Units.  They will be strategically placed at various locations throughout Palm Beach County in the coming weeks to better serve area job seekers. The goal is to make its no cost employment services more accessible to job seekers in their local communities, which augments the services of the three Workforce Alliance Career Centers.

Each Mobile Resource Unit is equipped with internet access computer stations, and staff professionals are available to help job seekers prepare resumes, do on-line job searches, register on the employment website, Employ Florida (www.employflorida.com), and provide current information on available jobs.  During October and November, the mobile unit will be at various Palm Beach County library sites.  In addition to Workforce Alliance announcements, each library will publicize the dates and times of their visits in advance.

Kathryn Schmidt, President and CEO of Workforce Alliance, said, “This is a countywide initiative to ensure we are reaching as many people who need our services as possible. In an effort to support the increasing employments needs of Palm Beach County, we invite other organizations to contact us with additional locations with public access that would be suitable for the temporary location of the Mobile Units. 

After a Mobile Unit visited the Main Library on Summit Boulevard in September, 2009, Susan Berger, Business Librarian, stated, “With increased unemployment comes an increased requirement for assistance in our communities. We promoted the visit of the Workforce Alliance Mobile Unit ahead of time and gave job seekers the opportunity to pre-register, but walk-ins were also welcomed.  Feedback from our customers was very positive.”

Job seekers are encouraged to check out their local library’s calendar of events.  In addition, flyers will be posted in all library locations prior to the visits. On an ongoing basis, job seeker services are available at any of Workforce Alliance’s three career centers, located in West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach and Belle Glade.  For location addresses and more information, please visit www.pbcalliance.com or call 561-340-1060. 

The Workforce Alliance Mobile Units are also available for local businesses.  Pre-employment screening, assessment or orientation, hiring events and training for current employees, can be made available at nearly any business location.  For more information, please contact 561-340-1060 ext. 2312.

Workforce Alliance is the non-profit company chartered by the State of Florida to develop and manage a workforce system in Palm Beach County.   It operates three Career Centers and offers its professional services to all employers and job seekers in the County. 

Palm Beach County, Florida – August 20, 2009 – More than one thousand young adults of Palm Beach County, aged 18 to 24, have obtained summer jobs at employer worksites throughout Palm Beach County with their wages being paid by Workforce Alliance. The funds are being provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, commonly known as the “Stimulus Bill” and the jobs are being provided by area businesses and municipalities.

Kathryn Schmidt, President and Chief Executive Officer of Workforce Alliance, said, “The entire community contributed to making the summer youth program successful and can be justly proud of its results. The Palm Beach County employers participating in the program are very pleased with their ‘summer hires.’ The participants went through a required three-day work readiness course prior to reporting to their six-week employment assignment.”

Ms. Schmidt added, “We are very thankful to the businesses and municipalities who volunteered to take part in the program by providing safe and meaningful employment experiences that will help the young participants get started on a career, or earn money to further their education.”

Participating employers and youth have shared these comments:

FASTSIGNS of North Palm Beach employed participant Andrew Cesar at its Northlake Blvd. facility and owner, Lisa Bondurant said, “He is an interested and quick learner, and is also extremely appreciative of any training and assistance he is provided.” The company has rotated him from the production side to the graphics department for a full learning experience with the business. One of the projects he completed was a sign to be used by Workforce Alliance as it places its mobile resource units in community outreach locations.
Summer Youth Employment and Training Program participant, Andrew Cesar, was employed by FastSIGNS of North Palm Beach, and is shown here with owner Lisa Bondurant.

West Palm Beach, Florida – August 13, 2009 – Workforce Alliance is applying approximately $10 million in recently-awarded American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, popularly known as stimulus funds, to significantly expand its employment services and operations in Palm Beach County.

Kathryn Schmidt, President and CEO of Workforce Alliance, said, “The additional funding is approximately $10 million and is targeted to benefit the economic progress of Palm Beach County through increased services to businesses as well as job training and job placement services for the unemployed. Our advice to employers at this time is for them to analyze their current and anticipated needs for employee hiring, retention and training in anticipation of possible opportunities for grants or funding from Workforce Alliance.

Some of the resources and programs expanded by stimulus funding and available to employers through Workforce Alliance include:

• hiring incentives / tax credits;
• training grants / matching dollars for the training of existing employees;
• recruitment and hiring assistance;
• access to professional and executive-level job candidates;
• screening of mid-level and entry-level job seekers;
• local job postings;
• outplacement services;
• business start up and expansion resources; and
• localized labor market and employment information.
 

Ms. Schmidt added, “Palm Beach County employers can use our expanded resources for their complete human resource needs and should talk to one of our Business Services Representatives (561-340-1060) for full details.”