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| LABOR DAY: WORKFORCE ALLIANCE HELPS RECORD NUMBERS OF LOCAL JOB-SEEKERS |
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West Palm Beach, Florida, September 2, 2009 -- Labor Day takes on special meaning this year for Palm Beach County since the current unemployment rate of 11.3 percent is the highest recorded for the County since the 12.6 percent rate reached seventeen years ago in August 1992. In view of the higher unemployment rate, Workforce Alliance is helping record numbers of Palm Beach County individuals reenter the labor force and help the economy recover. Workforce Alliance provides workforce services for both job-seekers and employers. The good news, for all of Palm Beach County, is the fact that Workforce Alliance has one of the best records in the State. Workforce Alliance ranked first in the State in 7 of 12 monitored performance categories, most notably including the percentage of job seekers who find employment after participating in work readiness activities; the wage rate at which they are hired, and job placements for young adults who complete one of its year-round youth programs. All of the State of Florida’s 24 Workforce Regions are subjected to monitoring and performance measurements in 12 key categories related to job placements and services offered to job seekers and employers. A team of State monitors and inspectors who recently reviewed one of the employment programs of Workforce Alliance gave an official report of “no adverse findings” and high praise. As indicated by this recently released State information, the Company is having a great deal of success! Workforce Alliance provides free classes, workshops and training at its three Career Centers in Palm Beach County with the objective of getting people placed in jobs, whether they are just entering the workforce, or subjected to a recent layoff. Over 14,000 people a month are being helped by the professional Career Counselors and other staff members in the Workforce Alliance Career Centers, located in West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach and Belle Glade. This is nearly triple the number of people seeking help from the Centers in early 2008, when unemployment was 5 percent in the County. Kathryn Schmidt, President and Chief Executive Officer of Workforce Alliance, said, “I would like to credit the professionalism of the staff members and Career Counselors for our organization’s success in meeting the needs of job seekers and employers. The Career Centers work closely with businesses, government agencies, the County, municipalities, educational institutions and other community partners to provide comprehensive services. As the economy recovers, we will help to ensure that the local workforce will be ready for the new jobs that are created.” Scholarships and grants for job training classes at regional educational institutions are available to qualified job seekers who meet the eligibility criteria and make application at the Career Centers. The Career Centers also offer over 100 classes and workshops each month on topics such as basic computer skills, how to search on line for jobs, and resume writing. There is no cost for the classes and the monthly schedules are posted on the Workforce Alliance website. Workforce Alliance, as the organization chartered by the State of Florida to develop a quality workforce system in Palm Beach County, has received Stimulus Bill funds to increase the scope of its services and to offer new services such as the recently completed Summer Youth Employment and Training Program, which provided summer employment for 1,010 young adults. Palm Beach county job seekers can obtain more information or assistance in finding employment at one of the Workforce Alliance Career Centers in West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach or Belle Glade. The addresses and phone numbers are listed on the Workforce Alliance website.
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