Located in:
- Program-specific Requirements for Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth Activities under Title I-B
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include the following with respect to activities carried out under subtitle B—
b. 1. Work-Based Training Models
If the State is utilizing work-based training models (e.g. on-the-job training, incumbent worker training, transitional jobs, and customized training) as part of its training strategy and these strategies are not already discussed in other sections of the plan, describe the State’s strategies for how these models ensure high quality training for both the participant and the employer.
Current Narrative:
QRT Program
Established in 1993, the QRT grant program provides state-level funding for customized training to new or expanding businesses. Florida has an enhanced application process powered by a Salesforce customer relationship management system which allows businesses to quickly respond to training objectives in demand-driven areas. In the PY 2022-2023, more than $7.3 million in QRT training grants were awarded to 24 businesses to provide skills upgrade training to more than 2,200 trainees.
The Florida Legislature provided funding to develop and launch a strategic marketing and business outreach plan for Florida’s nationally recognized QRT program. The marketing plan was developed to identify a long-term vision and strategic objectives for QRT. Recommendations for communications and outreach tools and tactics to enhance the program’s competitive position and market outreach were considered, based on research that provided a greater understanding of business customers and potential customers; key influencers, including, but not limited to, economic developers, site selection consultants, and workforce development professionals, particularly those within the CareerSource Florida network who provide employment and training solutions for businesses of all sizes; education and training partners and stakeholders; and public policy leaders.
The plan provides a clear, concise roadmap for CareerSource Florida’s current and future investments in the marketing and promotion of QRT among businesses, including small businesses and key influencers. CareerSource Florida developed an education and marketing toolkit for partners, marketing, and brand-building materials such as brochures, digital outreach, including website enhancements, and social media outreach and advertisements and media placements to support strategic marketing and business outreach objectives.
IWT Program
Established in 1999, IWT grants provide funding for training including skills upgrade training to existing for-profit businesses. This grant enables Florida to effectively retain businesses and help them stay competitive by supporting skills-upgrade training for existing full-time employees. In PY 2022-2023, CareerSource Florida awarded IWT grants totaling more than $2.1 million to help companies train and retain more than 1,634 full-time employees. A recent study of IWT trainees found that trainees who completed training in 2017-2018 realized median wages 15% higher one year after training.
Florida’s IWT program is typically funded at $3 million by the legislature in the General Appropriations Act, with additional funding at the discretion of the CareerSource Florida Board of Directors. Funding priority was established by the REACH Act and is awarded in the following order:
- Businesses that provide employees with opportunities to acquire new or improved skills by earning a credential on the Master Credentials List.
- Hospitals operated by nonprofit or local government entities that provide nursing opportunities to acquire new or improved skills.
- Businesses whose grant proposals represent a significant upgrade in employee skills.
- Businesses with 25 employees or fewer, businesses in rural areas, and businesses in distressed inner-city areas.
- Businesses in a qualified targeted industry or businesses whose grant proposals represent a significant layoff aversion strategy.
Florida’s IWT program has helped more than 3,000 businesses strengthen more than 200,000 employees’ skills over the past two decades.
Transitional Jobs and On-the-Job Training (OJT)
Florida utilizes Transitional Jobs and OJT as additional avenues to provide training opportunities to WIOA participants. LWDBs are encouraged to leverage current local level partnerships and develop new ones with local businesses and industry to support economic development in their communities. Economic development strategies are coordinated at the state level by CareerSource Florida.
LWDBs may allocate up to 10% of local Adult and Dislocated Worker funds to transitional jobs for individuals with barriers to employment. LWDBs offering transitional jobs as an individualized career service must ensure these jobs are time-limited, wage-paid, subsidized work experiences that help individuals who are chronically unemployed and/or have an inconsistent work history.
LWDBs are also encouraged to target individuals who are long-term unemployed, ex-offenders, and current or former recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Transitional jobs are used to assist individuals with establishing a work history and developing skills to obtain unsubsidized employment and progress in the workplace.
CareerSource Florida Administrative Policy 100 – Work-Based Learning and Work-Based Training outlines specific requirements LWDBs must include in their local operating procedures governing transitional jobs and other work-based learning activities.
OJT ensures high-quality training for both participants and employers as both have a vested interest in the program’s success. LWDBs are encouraged to use this training method to address critical workforce needs for in-demand occupations, enhance skills of participants, and aid employers in attaining a qualified, skilled workforce with competencies to meet their needs. Employers have the unique opportunity to train potential candidates in the most efficient way to perform tasks for their company at a subsidized cost. Participants receive direct training and gain new skills to meet the requirements of a new occupation or industry, becoming better equipped to compete for available jobs. All OJT experiences are provided through contracts between local employers and the LWDB.
CareerSource Florida Administrative Policy 009 – On-the-Job Training outlines specific requirements governing the provision of OJT.
Customized Training
Customized training is designed to meet the specialized skill needs or requirements of one or more employers. Customized training is conducted through a commitment by the employer to employ an individual upon successful completion of training. The employer is required to pay a share of the cost of the training. Customized training offers opportunities for employers to train individuals to their specific needs and gives the individual a chance to learn and gain desired skills specific to an employer or industry.
CareerSource Florida Administrative Policy 100 – Work-Based Learning and Work-Based Training outlines specific requirements LWDBs must include in their local operating procedures governing customized jobs and other work-based training activities.