WORKFORCE ALLIANCE RELEASES RFP FOR YOUTH SERVICES

November 19, 2007

Press Release
Contacts:
Patrick Cannan, Director of Public Relations, 561.340.1061, ext. 218
Holly Finch, Communications Manager, 561.340.1061, ext. 223

West Palm Beach November 19, 2007 – Workforce Alliance today issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) from community organizations seeking funds to provide academic and job-training services for at-risk and disadvantaged youth in Palm Beach County on a year-round basis.

Kathryn Schmidt, President and CEO of Workforce Alliance, said, “We strongly encourage non-profit and for-profit organizations, youth-serving agencies, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations and combinations or partnerships of such organizations to apply for this opportunity to serve the youth of our community.”

Workforce Alliance expects to receive state and federal funding in the amount of approximately $1.5 million to be contracted out for youth services in Palm Beach County during the12-month period from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. Any contracts awarded as a result of the RFP may be renewed by Workforce Alliance for additional years based on performance and availability of funds. Workforce Alliance also reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals received.

Copies of the RFP are available for viewing or downloading at the Workforce Alliance website, http://www.pbcalliance.com/. Responses to the RFP are required to be submitted to Workforce Alliance at 326 Fern Street, Suite 301, West Palm Beach, FL no later than 5:00 pm, January 28, 2008. A bidders’ conference is scheduled at Workforce Alliance’s Fern Street office at 10 am on November 28, 2007.

Workforce Alliance is a not-for-profit organization chartered by the State of Florida to operate workforce development programs in Palm Beach County that respond to the needs of both businesses and job seekers. This role includes the task of helping economically disadvantaged youth access training and educational programs to acquire the job skills needed by the County’s businesses and employers.

Services to Businesses	Recruitment Services
Post Open Positions	Hiring Veterans
Tax Credits & Training Grants/Incentives	Business Resources
Professional Placement Network	Links

Services to Job Seekers	Veteran's Employment Services
Job Search	Resources for Veterans
Free Workshops	Youth Programs
Professional Placement Network	Youth Helpful Links
Training Opportunities

Department of Labor Overview of Workforce Provision	Information for Private Sector Employers
The Florida Office of Economic Recovery
Workforce Alliance Plans and Communications	Information for Job Seekers
Information for Municipalities
Information for Non Government Organizations	View all comments and Q&A

Latest Unemployment Data for PB County

The unemployment rate in Palm Beach County was 11.8 percent in June 2010, an increase of 0.6 percentage points compared to the previous month’s rate of 11.2 percent.

The June 2010 rate is up .8 percentage point compared to the June 2009 rate of 11.0 percent.

The County’s unemployment rate was slightly higher than the state’s rate of 11.6 percent in June and 2.2 percentage points higher than the USA rate of 9.6 percent, not seasonally adjusted.

Industry categories, as defined by the State, with job growth in the County during the past 12 months were government (+2,000 jobs), professional and business services (+1,900), and health services and private education (+ 1,200).

The largest decline in jobs was in the construction sector (- 5,200) followed by leisure and hospitality (- 2,200) and financial activities (-1,900 jobs).

Find out about the Workforce Alliance Community Partners