WORKFORCE & TRAINING SERVICES
Nestled in the central part of the state, Florida’s Heartland workforce has characteristics generally identified with large metropolitan areas - an abundant talent pool of quality and reliable individuals as well as attractive wage rates creating a “pipeline” any business would find enviable.
Four regional workforce agencies service the area, each able to assist employers in locating the necessary employment talents required. In addition, specialized grants and/or incentives may be available to train and retrain qualified workers to enable a business to remain competitive in today’s global market.
Local Grants & Incentives
Work Experience Internship Program
A work experience “intern” is an excellent way to increase your capacity while boosting your bottom line. Hosting a work experience participant gives you extra help at minimal cost and the program is an excellent method for finding and securing talent for your organization.
On the Job Training Grants
Helping employers offset the costs associated with new hires by reimbursement of a significant percentage of the employee’s salary while they are being trained in the workplace is another method that can be utilized to improve employee skill sets.
Employed Worker Training Grants
If you are thinking about upgrading the skills of your employees to make your organization more competitive, workforce resources may be available to reimburse up to half of the costs associated with the training when it leads to a nationally recognized credential.
Florida Flex - Business Services (Recruiting, Hiring and Training)
https://careersourceflorida.com/business-services/
Training Grants (QRT & WRT)
http://careersourceflorida.com/business-services/training-grants/
State And Federal Grants And Incentives
Work Opportunity Tax Credit
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal income tax credit that provides incentives to private for-profit employers to encourage hiring of individuals from certain targeted groups of jobseekers who traditionally have difficulty finding employment.
Quick Response Training Grants
Quick Response Training (QRT) grants, administered by the lead state workforce agency CareerSource Florida, provides funding for customized training to new or expanding businesses.
Incumbent Worker Training
The Incumbent Worker Training Program (IWT) grants provide funding to existing for-profit businesses. Through this grant, Florida is able to effectively retain businesses and help them stay competitive by supporting skills-upgrade training for existing full time employees.
The workforce resources collectively create strategic partnerships with employers and identify job openings and opportunities in the communities they serve for job seekers. Each may provide recruiting assistance specialized for your firm’s needs.
Careersource Heartland (Region 19)
Website: http://www.careersourceheartland.com
One-Stop Career Centers are located in the four counties of DeSoto, Hardee, Okeechobee and Highlands. The administrative offices are located in Sebring, Florida (Highlands County)
Desoto One-Stop Career Center
2160 NE Roan Avenue
Arcadia, FL 34266-5025
(863) 993-1046
Fax (863) 993-1046
Hardee One-Stop Career Center
324 Sixth Avenue North
Wauchula, FL 33873-3317
(863) 773-3474
Fax (863) 773-3949
Highlands One-Stop Career Center
5901 US Hwy 27 South, Suite 1
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 385-3672
Fax (863) 382-4237
Okeechobee One-Stop Career Center
Okeechobee One-Stop Career Center
209 SW Park St
Okeechobee, Florida 34972
(863) 610-0600
Careersource Southwest Florida (Region 24)
Website: http://careersourcesouthwestflorida.com/
The One-Stop Career Centers served by CareerSource Southwest Florida are located in the counties of Hendry and Collier. The administrative office is located in Ft. Myers in Lee County.
Hendry County Career Center
215 B South Francisco Street
Clewiston, FL 33440
(863)983-6138
Hendry County Career Center
921 Anvil Way
LaBelle, FL 33935
(863)675-1412
Collier County Career Center
750 South 5th Street
Immokalee, FL 34142
(239)658-3300