Workforce News and Updates

Unemployment rate continues to fall across region

Ocala MSA posts Florida’s strongest gains in information industry

The unemployment rate in the Workforce Connection region of Citrus, Levy and Marion counties was 10.1 percent in March 2012, the lowest since December 2008 when it was 10 percent.

While unemployment in the Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) remains the second highest in Florida, it also led the state with the highest growth rate over the year in the information industry and ranked fourth in manufacturing.


The March 2012 unemployment rates were: 10.3 percent in Marion County, 10.1 percent in Citrus County, and 9.4 percent in Levy County.

Out of a labor force of 203,747, there were 20,678 unemployed residents in the region, 1,130 fewer than last month and a drop of 4,225 during the same time last year when the regional unemployment rate was 12 percent.

The unemployment numbers for March were released April 20 by the Florida Department of Economic Development.

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Talent Hub freelance, alternative work training

Workforce Connection is launching "Your Talent Hub," a new alternative work initiative to assist professionals in transition through freelancing and crowdsourcing.

The program provides access to tools, resources and strategies designed to lead to earning opportunities, project work, contracting and full-time placements in creative, technology and related fields.

In partnership with the College of Central Florida (CF), Talent Hub orientations will take place Wednesday, April 25 at the Klein Conference Center at the college's Ocala campus, 3001 S.W. College Road, and Monday, April 30 at CF's Learning and Conference Center, 3800 S. Lecanto Highway in Lecanto. Both orientations begin at 3 p.m. There is no charge to attend.

To learn more about the Talent Hub orientations, call 352-291-9551 or 800-434-5627, ext. 1147, visit http://yourtalenthub.com or click on Calendar of Events. Updates and information are also available on Twitter @YourTalentHub and at Facebook.com/YourTalentHub.

To register for one of the orientations, send an email to talenthub@clmworkforce.com.

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Career Fair set for college students, community job seekers

Community job seekers are invited to join College of Central Florida students for the first annual Spring Fling Career Fair on Wednesday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fair will take place at the Learning and Conference Center at CF's Citrus Campus, 3800 S. Lecanto Highway, in Lecanto.

The Career Fair is hosted by the college in partnership with Workforce Connection of Citrus, Levy and Marion counties. The fair is open to graduating students as well as those in need of summer employment or looking for full- and part-time work while attending school. Members of the general public seeking employment are also encouraged to attend.

The fair gives participants the chance to get face-to-face with recruiters and polish networking, presentation and interpersonal skills. There is no charge to attend the Career Fair. Participants are asked to bring at least 10 printed copies of their resume and to dress professionally. For more information, call 352-637-2223 or 800-434-JOBS.

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Webinars For Job Candidates

As part of our commitment to providing virtual services access to job seekers in Citrus, Levy and Marion Counties, we have created a library of online narrated webinars meant to educate, inform and assist job seekers on a wide array of job search and reemployment topics.

Click Here

Unemployment rate takes a plunge across region, dropping under 11 percent

The jobless rate in February for Workforce Connection's Citrus, Levy and Marion counties region was 10.7, dropping 0.6 percent since January and 1.8 percentage points lower than the same time last year. This is the first time since December 2008 unemployment has been below 11 percent in all three counties when the regional rate as well as Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) was 10 percent. Florida's not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in February fell to 9.1 percent, down 0.4 percent over the month. The national unemployment rate fell slightly to 8.7 percent.

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New Community Workshops

Workforce Connection of Citrus, Levy and Marion counties is offering free community workshops at area libraries to help job seekers sharpen employability skills."Navigating the New World of Work" workshops will be held in Citrus County on:

Monday, March 12 from 3-5 p.m.
Coastal Region Library, 8619 W. Crystal St., in Crystal River

Wednesday, March 14 from 4-6 p.m.
Central Ridge Library, 425 W. Roosevelt Blvd., in Beverly Hills

Those attending the community workshops will learn:

• Why it's important to stand out in today's new world of work
• Strategies to effectively market skills and qualifications
• How to develop a targeted resume – the key to getting noticed
• Tools and tactics to help nail that tough job interview

Navigating the New World of Work workshops are also offered at Workforce Connection's Resource Centers in Inverness, Chiefland and Ocala. To learn more or to sign up for the community workshops, call 352-291-9552 or 800-434-5627, ext. 1410. Online registration is also available at https://www.timecenter.com/wcworkshops.

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Event Flier

Free workshops help veterans gear up for success in civilian job market

"Retooling and Refueling for Success" workshops are set this month to arm United States veterans with the updated skills they need to compete in today's tough marketplace. Retooling and Refueling for Success workshops take place Feb. 14-16 in Ocala and Feb. 28-March 1 in Lecanto. Each three-day workshop features instruction and career tools to help veterans develop strategies and maintain focus during career transitions.

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Event Flier

How does the workforce system help local businesses stay competitive? Watch the new video and find out.

The video was filmed during a recent National Association of Workforce Boards conference in Washington, D.C. It features Workforce Connection COO Kathleen Woodring and Board Vice-Chair Suzanne Mills, head of human resources for A&N Corporation in Williston.



Workforce Connection is a partner in the Workforce Investment Works Campaign, a storytelling website that highlights thousands of success stories across the country from customers that have benefited from Workforce Investment Act (WIA) federally-funded employment and training programs.