Located in:
- III. Operational Planning Elements
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that supports the State’s strategy and the system-wide vision described in Section II(c) above. Unless otherwise noted, all Operational Planning Elements apply to Combined State Plan partner programs included in the plan as well as to core programs. This section must include—
- a. State Strategy Implementation
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include–
- 2. Implementation of State Strategy
Describe how the lead State agency with responsibility for the administration of each core program or a Combined Plan partner program included in this plan will implement the State’s Strategies identified in Section II(c). above. This must include a description of—
- 2. Implementation of State Strategy
- a. State Strategy Implementation
III. a. 2. D. Coordination, Alignment and Provision of Services to Employers
Describe how the entities carrying out the respective core programs, any Combined State Plan partner program included in this plan, required and optional one-stop partner programs will coordinate activities and resources to provide comprehensive, high-quality services to employers to meet their current and projected workforce needs and to achieve the goals of industry or sector partners in the state. The activities described shall conform to the statutory requirements of each program.
Current Narrative:
Florida’s Workforce Development System includes the CareerSource Florida Network comprised of CareerSource Florida, 24 local workforce development boards, in service to local elected officials, and WIOA core partners, the Florida Department of Commerce, the Florida Department of Education, Division of Career and Adult Education, Vocational Rehabilitation and the Florida Division of Blind Services. Florida’s Workforce Development System also includes WIOA Combined Planning partners, the Department of Elder Affairs, Senior Community Services Employment Program, and the Florida Department of Children and Families, (TANF E&T and SNAP E&T Programs).
Combined planning partners and required partners also include programs authorized under Title I of WIOA; Trade Adjustment Assistance, Jobs for Veterans State Grants Programs; Employment and training activities carried out under the Community Services Block grant program; Employment and training activities carried out by the Department of Housing and Urban Development; programs authorized under state unemployment compensation laws; programs authorized under sec. 212 of the Second Chance Act of 2007. Local workforce development boards execute agreements with all combined and required partners.
Other Florida workforce development partners include the Florida College System and the Able Trust.
The CareerSource Florida network offers businesses in Florida or relocating to Florida a completely integrated talent support solution using the state’s employee recruitment, retention and training services. CareerSource Florida offers employers state-level training grants targeting new-to- Florida businesses, expanding businesses, and businesses that want to upskill their existing workforce. Florida’s local workforce development boards offer a full array of recruitment, hiring, and training services through their Business Services teams, which often consist of business services leads, Wagner-Peyser, LVER, and DVOP staff. The CareerSource Florida Network also coordinates strategic business services through a combined approach via partnerships on events and services such as co-hosting job fairs, summer youth experiences, and recruitment and career exploration events. Together, the CareerSource Florida network and partners provide a talent solution that best meets the needs of business. As a component of its focus on continuous improvement, CareerSource Florida works to enhance employer satisfaction and measure effectiveness of employer outreach programs by working with private communications firms and experts to deploy business surveys targeting feedback from Florida businesses on special statewide initiatives and gaining specific information from those businesses that have used our network, heard of our network but never used, and never heard nor used our network.
CareerSource Florida collaborates with industry associations, economic development partners, LWDB business services managers and other partners targeting Florida’s Targeted Sectors of Focus. This sector strategy approach helps businesses meet their recruiting, hiring, and training needs, while placing a priority on those targeted industries that matter most to Florida’s economy.
Florida leverages the Salesforce software platform as a customer relationship management tool, allowing best-in-class management of interactions with business stakeholders. Utilizing a uniform system enables Florida’s LWDBs to work together to enhance customer and business services. WIOA partners participate in conversations about using Salesforce in their business outreach activities.
CareerSource Florida provides sector strategy training and assistance to LWDBs on strategies, promotion of services and sharing of best practices to industry groups by collaborating with core partners at the local level to meet business talent development needs. Monthly training is provided to LWDB Apprenticeship Navigators and their entire teams so they will better understand how Registered Apprenticeships can be used as a talent development strategy. Additional training is provided to the LWDB’s through work-based learning trainings, workforce development summits and webinars.
CareerSource Florida will also begin to lead quarterly business engagement meetings with Florida partner agencies that directly engage with businesses. These meetings will be used to share information on the latest business-focused initiatives to keep each agency informed, increase collaboration, and leveraging existing efforts and resources.
Coordination and alignment between services and partners are created through activities at the local level using a Sector Strategies/Talent Pipeline Management approach such as industry sector rounds, State of Talent, Claim your Future and other strategic initiatives throughout the state. Core partners also serve on local workforce development boards where their expertise is used to guide sector strategy approaches for business industry groups that leads to talent solutions.
All partners play a role in coordination, alignment, and Provision of Services. VR formalized a Business Relations Program focused on building and sustaining partnerships with business and industry through effective services driven by employer needs. These partnerships will lead to competitive integrated employment and career exploration opportunities for VR customers.
FDBS expanded business relationships with employers at the local level to identify and maximize competitive integrated employment opportunities and career exploration opportunities for adults and students. The Division works in partnership with chambers of commerce across the state to support the ongoing development of disability-owned businesses. Each district holds membership with one or more chambers of commerce. Business consultants work with employers statewide to develop and strengthen collaboration by creating partnerships that lead to employment opportunities for blind/visually impaired individuals. EPSs work with employers on their hiring needs and setting up work . This gives job seekers opportunities for work-based learning experiences, training and obtaining employability skills.
DBS employment staff complete the Employment Outcomes Professionals II (EOP) training and meet weekly to discuss labor market information, work experience opportunities, internships, and the hiring needs of employers. This training provides staff with marketing and sales skills directly relating to real job development. Staff use these skills to build long-term relationships with businesses via outreach and rapid engagement with employers. Florida will work to coordinate employers’ services across all WIOA program partners to leverage expertise and prevent duplication.
Florida is increasing collaboration between employer services to leverage expertise and prevent duplication, coordinating services across all WIOA program partners.