Workforce Assistance


 
Workforce Assistance
Employers
Recruitment
Regional Job Websites
JobFocus is a FREE website where employers in Manatee and Sarasota Counties can  post their job openings and search posted resumes.
Employ Florida is a FREE state web portal where employers can gain access to a complete set of employment tools in one web site.  Employers are able to post their job openings as well as search posted resumes.
Suncoast Workforce offers a wide range of employment services to both employers and employees.  There are 3 local offices to assist the needs of a job seeker or employer.  All services are provided FREE.
 Will place your job orders online on the Employ Florida website.
Will match their candidates with job openings.  
They offer standard & customized assessment of candidates to screen them before recommending them to employers.
Resume Service
The Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation (EDC) maintains a database of resumes.  A listing of the resume summaries is forwarded to Manatee County companies bi-monthly. If the company is interested in a particular summary, the EDC will forward the complete resume. 
If your company is located in Manatee County and would like it added to the database to receive the summaries or would like to inquire if the EDC has a resume with a specific background please click here.
Training
Suncoast Workforce offers the following services to help train employees and upgrade their skills:
Upgrade the skills of your existing workforce with their standard or customized training programs.
Train employees on-site or at an educational institution partnering with them to bring relevant knowledge and skills to your employees.
Retain valued employees by helping them upgrade their skills to advance their careers at your business.
Training Grant Programs
Training funds are available locally through the Suncoast Workforce as well as through Workforce Florida Inc., the state's workforce development organization.  New or expanding companies in Manatee County who create new jobs in the county or who upgrade the skills of their existing workforce may be eligible for these funds.  
The Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation (EDC) can assist companies in determining whether they qualify for grants as well as assistance in identifying training providers.  A sample of how training grants have been used to upgrade the skills of local employees include:  forklift training, leadership and team building, CPR, soldering, train the trainer and workplace Spanish.  
Please contact Mary Chilton, the Workforce and Business Liaison for the EDC, via email Mary Chilton or (941)748-4842 ext. 145.
Grants available, and funded on an annual basis include:
u  Employed Worker Training
u  Incumbent Worker Training
u  Quick Response Training
u  Training Grant Matrix
Internship
Businesses can participate in the internship program by hosting one or more interns at their site.  In doing so, companies can help create a labor pool of potential employees who will tend to remain in the community because of their internship experiences.  Employers interested in hiring potential interns can access the internship feature on www.jobfocus.com.
Relocation
Employee Relocation Program
The Employee Relocation Program is a program of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation designed to assist companies in successful employee recruitment and relocation.  The focus of this program is on the employee or potential employee's family and helping them make a successful transition into the community.  The program enables the new employee and his/her family to meet with, and start relationships with local residents other than company related staff.  It is available to a new or transferred employee when the company is picking up the moving costs associated with the relocation.
Trailing Spouse Program
The EDC recognizes that 50% of families are now dual career professionals, and that employment for the “trailing spouse” is a top concern both for the relocating family and the employer.  Through available resources, local business contacts and the Tampa Bay Partnership, the EDC can assist spouses of relocating employees in finding a job in their career field.
Job-Seekers
Regional Job Websites
JobFocus is a FREE website where job-seekers can search for open positions as well as post their resumes.  The internship feature allows for internship positions to be posted and interns are encouraged to post their resume on this site.  The School Career Link provides a direct connection to the career centers at higher educational facilities.
Employ Florida is a FREE state web portal where jobseekers can gain access to a complete set of employment tools in one web site including job listings that are listed by zipcode, city, county, workforce region, state, etc.  Job-seekers can also post their resumes on this site.
Suncoast Workforce provides a wide range of employment services to both employers and employees.  There are 3 local Jobs ETC offices to assist the needs of a job seeker or employer.  All services are provided FREE.  Some of their services:
Use the internet to find job openings.
Improve your resume and interviewing skills.
Meet employers in person at their job fairs.
Attend the Workforce Professionals Network, a series of biweekly meetings for transitioning professionals which features relevant presentations from guest speakers.
Learn about careers that employers offer in the area.
Use their assessment tools to explore your talents.
Explore the Learning Lab to brush up on skills that employers need.
Ask about GED and remediation classes.
They connect people with disabilities to job-related services.
Clothing closet (to help you make a great impression on interviews).
Resume Summary Listing
The Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation offers a FREE resume summary listing where jobseekers provide their resume along with a short summary.  The summaries are forwarded to all high-impact companies in Manatee County.  If a company is interested in a particular summary, they can contact the MEDC and the resume will be forwarded to their attention.  This service is widely used by local companies as well as job seekers.  
If you wish to participate in this service, please forward your resume and a short 2 line summary by clicking here.
Students
Internships 
Internships provide an opportunity for students to preview a career by way of “meaningful” workplace experience.  Students develop a connection between what they learn in school and how it applies in the “real” world.  Students can indicate their interest in internship opportunities by posting their resume on www.jobfocus.com.
Career Tools
The Suncoast Workforce provides the following career tools:
Learn about careers that employers offer in the area.
Use their assessment tools to explore your talents.
Contact the Suncoast Workforce about Construction Technology Careers, a pre-apprenticeship in construction for high school juniors and seniors.
In-School Youth
For youth that are 14-18 years old, in school currently and live in Manatee and Sarasota Counties, the Suncoast Workforce provides services that would assist with tutoring and remediation through the following providers:
Manatee Technical Institute-Migrant Seasonal Farm-worker Program
Educational Consultants Consortium Inc.
Big Brother Big Sister
Community Haven
THAISE
Out-of-School Youth
Out-of-School Youth are also serviced directly through the Suncoast Workforce's One-Stop locations to assist in remediation, preparing and obtaining a GED, Career Assessment, Occupational skills training and Supportive Services when available.
GED
The GED diploma is awarded upon successful completion of a series of tests that measure a person's academic knowledge and skills in writing, social studies, science, interpreting literature and the arts, and mathematics. GED preparation classes are available through the Suncoast Workforce.  To be eligible, one must be a Florida resident and 16 years of age or older.  GED study labs are available at all Suncoast Workforce locations in Bradenton, Sarasota and Venice.  Click here for their learning lab hours.




Veterans
Suncoast Workforce has staff assigned to help U.S. military veterans and other eligible persons with employment, counseling and job/career training services.  Eligible Veteran's receive: employment counseling and job/career training services, job registration, vocational guidance, career counseling, resume preparation and critique, referrals to supportive services, vocational and interest/aptitude testing, career exploration, and job/employment opportunity development.
 

Employed Workers
Contact the Suncoast Workforce if you want to brush up on your skills to get a better job.  Financial assistance may be available.  Develop high-demand skills.
Contact the Suncoast Workforce to see if you qualify for financial assistance for training.  Weekly orientations reveal opportunities for no-cost tuition, books, uniforms and tools.
Use their Learning Lab to brush up on skills that employers need.
Ask about GED and remediation classes.
They connect people with disabilities to job-related services.
Workforce Websites
CareerEdge is a workforce development initiative dedicated to helping low-skill/low-wage workers advance to higher-skill/higher-wage careers in the Manatee/Sarasota area.
Employ Florida is a FREE state web portal where employers and jobseekers can gain access to a complete set of employment tools in one web site.  
Florida Research and Economic Database has a complete set of employment tools for job seekers, students, employers, training providers, workforce professionals, and others seeking to explore local labor markets.
Job Focus is a FREE website for jobseekers and employers for the Manatee/Sarasota region.
Occupational Network has detailed descriptions of the world of work for use by job seekers, workforce development and HR professionals, students, researchers, and more.
State of Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation is the state's website for jobseekers and employers.  Also has information about unemployment.
Suncoast Workforce offers resources and tools for both employers and career Seekers on the Suncoast. 
U.S. Census Bureau - Local Employment Dynamics includes NAICS-based statistics by state or county.
U.S. Dept. of Labor - Bureau of Labor Statistics contains information for jobseekers, business leaders, consumers, etc.
Workforce Florida Inc. contains information for both businesses and jobseekers.