History

The New Face of Workforce Development
We have changed. The days of WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA and ONE-STOP CAREER CENTERS being thought of as unemployment offices are over. We have adopted a new direction that will position our organization as a valuable resource for local employers by provided unique services geared toward ensuring their economic success, and the community’s economic success. We are dedicated to establishing new partnerships while preserving existing ones in an effort to provide practical solutions to problems our customers face. The following are the initial steps that we have taken to meet the needs of local businesses. This is a dynamic process and input for local government, community leaders and employers will assist us in developing new programs to help ensure the economic success of our community’s workforce.

Business Account Managers
We have a team of Business Account Managers specifically designed to provide employers with personal professional service. To understand the unique needs of local employers each account manager focuses on a specific geographic area in Central Florida. They meet with employers, of all sizes, to discuss the wide variety of services and programs we currently offer, and listen to what additional services businesses need to thrive in today’s workplace.

Workforce Development Awards
We believe that one way WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA can support workforce development is by providing employers with the financial resources to train their employees. Not only does this result in a more productive workforce for our region’s companies, it provides marketable skills to our labor force in a very direct way. If the employer can better train employees, the employees are of greater value to the company and the company is of greater value to the local economy. It’s a win-win.

Employer Services
WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA (WCF) is the regions largest permanent placement agency, helping over 4,700 employers connect with 54,000 job seekers. WCF offers innovative solution to assist Central Florida businesses succeed in today’s highly competitive workforce, while providing the tools job seekers need to find or advance in their current career. WCF is the region’s workforce expert.

Where We Come From

Jobs & Training Partnership ACT (JTPA) Purpose
"It is the purpose of this Act (JTPA) to establish programs to prepare youth and adults facing serious barriers to employment for participation in the labor force by providing job training and other services that will result in increased employment and earnings, increased educational and occupational skills, and decreased welfare dependency, thereby improving the quality of the work force and enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of the Nation."

Central Florida Jobs and Education Partnership, Inc.
In September 1994, the Florida Jobs and Education Partnership recommended a total restructuring of Florida's workforce development system. Through community meetings and working committees, the Central Florida Jobs & Education Partnership, Inc. (CFJEP) was formed with a service area including Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Sumter counties. To overcome the need for greater input and action from private sector businesses in governmental services, the CFJEP board holds at least a 60% membership of private business leaders.

WAGES Act Purpose
"The legislative intent is that the WAGES Program shall emphasize work, self-sufficiency, and personal responsibility while meeting the transitional needs of program participants who need short-term assistance."

Central Florida WAGES Coalition
Florida's Work and Gain Economic Self-sufficiency (WAGES) Act required that a local WAGES Coalition be created to provide planning, coordination, and accountability for the WAGES program in our service area. Through community involvement in developing the Coalition, community members made recommendations of potential members. In February 1997, the Central Florida WAGES Coalition met for the first time and designated the CFJEP as it's administrative entity.

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Purpose
WIA, which replaces the federal JTPA legislation on July 1, 1999, was formed under the principles of universal access, empowering individuals, streamlining services, state and local flexibility, strong role for local boards and private sector, and improved youth programs. Its purpose is to increase the employment, retention, and earnings of participants, and increase occupational skill attainment by participants, and, as a result improve the quality of the workforce, reduce welfare dependency, and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the Nation.

WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA
In April 1999, the CFJEP Board and the Central Florida WAGES Coalition vote to combine their efforts, merging into one board. The new organization is now called WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA, implementing both WIA and WAGES, guiding local workforce development and welfare reform.