FAQ

What is the Re-Employment Connection?
The Re-Employment Connection is an employment program run by WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA that will provide employability skills and valuable work experience for adults, age 18 and up, in local jobs. Participants will have an opportunity to earn $12 an hour and work up to 40 hours a week for 26 weeks, which in turn, will have an immediate financial impact on the local economy.
 
How does the program work for employers?
If selected, WCF will pay the wages of the workers in the program, who may work up to 40 hours a week for 26 weeks. All interns, who will be adults ages 18 and up, will earn $12 per hour.
 
When does the program begin and end?
Each participant in the program will work 26 weeks. 

The employers are determined on a first-come, first-served basis dependent on when WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA receives the signed workforce agreement. This agreement will be provided to the worksite during a site visit by a program worksite monitor. The agreement may be completed by the worksite and provided immediately to the worksite monitor or it may be mailed to WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA.

*NOTE: Dates are subject to change.

 
How does my company qualify?
The following employers from Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake or Sumter counties may qualify:
  • Non profit or government agency
  • For-profit employers with job opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math OR one of the Top 42 Job Categories in the Private Sector including:
    • Administrative Services Managers (including Human Resource Managers)
    • Architectural and Civil Drafters
    • Audio and Video Equipment Technicians
    • Booking, Accounting and Auditing Clerks
    • Camera Operators, Television, Video and Motion Picture
    • Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
    • Chefs and Head Cooks
    • Computer Programmers
    • Computer Support Specialists
    • Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary
    • Dental Assistants
    • Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
    • Electrical Engineering Technicians
    • Electricians
    • Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics
    • Environmental Engineers
    • Executive Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
    • Floral Designers
    • Graphic Designers
    • Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
    • Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
    • Massage Therapists
    • Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
    • Medical and Health Services Managers
    • Medical Assistants
    • Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technology
    • Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
    • Medical Secretaries
    • Medical Transcriptionists
    • Multi-Media Artists and Animators
    • Network and Computer Systems Administrators
    • Nursing Aides, Orderlies and Attendants
    • Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
    • Paralegals and Legal Assistants
    • Pharmacy Technicians
    • Physical Therapist Assistants
    • Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
    • Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
    • Registered Nurses
    • Surgical Technologists
    • Truck Drivers, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer
    • Welding, Soldering and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders
Can I utilize this program to fill vacant positions due to a layoff?
No, the worksite application has a provision that requires the organization state that it will not displace any current employee to employ a Re-Employment Connection candidate. Worksite applications will be reviewed by WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA for accuracy, completeness, eligibility criteria and the appropriateness of the application and proposed positions. The review process will entail ensuring that worksites have not filed a WARN notice in the past six months prior to date of completion.
 
How do employers apply?
Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information or to apply, click here.
 
What is the process for assigning participants to job sites?
Job matching will be based on several different criteria taking into consideration the participant’s skills, position requirements, geographic area of where the individual resides, availability of worksites and participant’s area of interest. WCF paid work experience will be designed to allow the participant to gain additional skills in a new industry or occupational area of their interest.
 
Will WCF conduct background checks?
All candidates will have a Level 1 background check completed by WCF’s HR Department. Worksites will be asked about their standard hiring practices for temporary employees to assess their threshold requirements. Based on the relationship between WCF employers and the employees, WCF cannot divulge the results of any background check with worksites.

Ultimately, an employer may ask participants about any prior arrests/convictions during the Re-Employment Connection recruitment event. Worksites can also opt to perform their own background checks; however, WCF will not be responsible for incurring these costs.

WCF will not perform drug screening or finger printing. If this is a hiring requirement, then the worksite will be responsible for processing and incurring any associated costs.
 
Will WCF visit my company?
Before adults are placed at any organization, WCF staff will conduct a pre-inspection worksite monitoring visit to ensure that the participants will be doing meaningful work in a safe environment. Once participants are placed, a Re-Employment Connection career specialist will visit each worksite biweekly to ensure a smooth operation. These visits will be planned and unplanned to ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws.
 
As an approved worksite, will I need to attend any special Re-Employment Connection meetings?
Each month WCF will sponsor a Re-Employment Connection Recruitment Event (location, TBD). The event will be by invitation only as worksites are approved and official agreements are set with WCF. The purpose of this event is to allow approved worksites to meet with candidates based on their interest in a speed interview approach. Employers will determine which candidate they are recommending for placement at their worksite based on their open/available positions.
 
What are the timesheet responsibilities of a worksite supervisor?
Timesheets are important to ensure that participants develop good work habits and learn responsibility. We therefore need worksite supervisors to track participants’ time accurately so WCF pays them only for the time they actually worked. Worksite supervisors are to maintain all participant timesheets in a secure location and review each timesheet daily to ensure that they are filled out completely, the participant signs in and out daily, the participant’s signature is on every signature line, and that both the participant and worksite supervisor sign the bottom of the time sheet. Worksite Supervisors will be required to fax the intern’s timesheet to WCF at (407) 708-1474 by Fridays at 7:00 pm. Re-Employment Connection career specialists will pick up original timesheets on the following Monday.
 
How will an incompatible job match be resolved?
If a participant is having difficulty, the worksite supervisor should first try to talk with the participant directly and candidly. If the problem continues, call the Re-Employment Connection career specialist assigned to your agency and complete a Notice of Incident form. WCF will attempt to make alternative arrangements. Please note that once the program begins, WCF cannot promise replacement candidates.
 
Who do I contact if I have a concern?
First contact your direct Re-Employment Connection career specialist/worksite monitor. If you are not able to reach him/her, then contact the Re-Employment Connection team leader at rspencer@wcfla.com.  
 
What do I do in case of a non-medical emergency?
Provide counseling to the participant. Next, contact the career specialist/worksite monitor assigned to your worksite. Last, complete a Notice of Incident Report form, and forward it to the career specialist/worksite monitor assigned to your worksite.  Fax the non-medical Incident Form directly to (407) 708-1429.
 
What do I do in case of a medical emergency?
If this is a life or death emergency, call 911.

If it is NOT a life or death emergency, first, contact the career specialist/worksite monitor assigned to your worksite. Second, complete a Notice of Incident Report form. Third, the worksite supervisor must contact the state of Florida’s workers’ comp triage nurse with OptaComp at (877) 518-2583 to report the injury. Use location code 1110. Please do not send the injured intern for care until you contact OptaComp and directions are given from the nurse.
 
What if I have additional questions about the application process?
E-mail WorkExp@wcfla.com.
 
What other programs does WCF offer than help my business?
WCF offers a range of professional services for businesses in Central Florida, all at no cost including:
  • Training Awards & Resources for Your Employees
  • WCF offers a variety of training award programs that may pay for up to 50 percent of your direct training cost up to $100,000.
  • Have a job opening? Post it with WCF and reach hundreds of thousands of job seekers across Florida at no cost to you in our online job bank. Or browse through candidate profiles today to find your next employee.
  • Recruit at Hiring Events
  • Recruit and interview at special events conducted at our offices where your positions are advertised throughout the week of your event in our offices and on our website.
  • WCF Mobile Unit - This transportable HR resource was created to act as an extension of your human resources office. Reserve it today for pre-employment screening, testing or training, or utilize its private interview room for recruiting.
  • Lending Library
  • Access a variety of training and human resource materials with the Lending Library. Simply “check-out” human resources-related materials to improve your business and save on training costs.
  • WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA UNIVERSITY - Brush up on the latest workforce and human resource topics with these monthly one-hour seminars.


For more information, visit our employer services page or call the employer hotline at (407) 531-1200.