One-Stop Perspective
This is a new section of our newsletter that will be ongoing. It is our hope to gain your feedback and viewpoints on some of the major topics in workforce development. Thank you for taking the time to respond and keep an eye out for future topics!
Q: What has the 2009 ARRA meant to your workforce Region?
A: In many ways, the Recovery Act was validation that the workforce system is vital, not only as a source of labor when times are good, but more importantly as a key part of the state's proactive response when times are bad. ARRA provided resources that allowed us to 'double down' as a workforce system and to continue to invest in training for highly competitive jobs, while increasing our emphasis on helping the unemployed polish up their skills, brush up their resumes and get back to work.
With initiatives such as the Summer Youth Program; subsidized employment in the Florida Back to Work initiative; and in our ramped-up efforts to support reemployment across the state, Florida has committed the Recovery Act investment to job creation, economic sustainment, and social safety net activities that only an integrated workforce system could achieve. And since Geographic Solutions is a key part of that equation, you also have first-hand knowledge of the sheer volume of customers that we've seen over the last year and how active these programs are.
- Steve Urquhart, Workforce Florida, Inc.