WORKFORCE CONNECTION

Update from CareerSource Gulf Coast

by: Kim Bodine, Executive Director, CareerSource Gulf Coast

Many in our community and across the nation dealt with layoffs during the pandemic. Most in our community quickly returned to work and new opportunities, bolstered by a strong Florida economy. We found that our region is not immune to further layoffs, even with companies that have deeply rooted ties to the Bay County area.

Layoffs not only impact the employee, but also families, suppliers, non-profits, and those who serve the company and its employees. Those affected bear a heavy mental toll and feel vulnerable with concerns about finances, benefits, retirement, finding new employment, severance, health benefits and unemployment benefits.

Mass layoffs and business closures may mandate notice through the U.S. Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act. The Act offers protection to workers and communities by requiring employers to provide notice 60 days in advance of a layoff when it affects a large number of workers. In general, employers are covered by WARN if they have 100 or more employees, and layoffs involve 50 or more workers. There are some exceptions to this Act.

Employers notify the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s Rapid Response Unit, which in turn, notifies the Local Workforce Development Board: CareerSource Gulf Coast. Each regional workforce board also has a Rapid Response Team and those teams provide early intervention assistance to prevent potential layoffs and provide immediate on-site services to assist workers facing job losses. Services are tailored to each company based on the needs of the affected employees.

The overall goal of the Rapid Response Program is to prevent or minimize disruptions associated with job losses and to help workers quickly re-enter the workforce.

The Rapid Response team meets with the company to discuss programs that may prevent layoffs. This includes:

› Incumbent Worker Training to enhance their workers’ skills to help prevent layoffs

› Customized Training to support training for new and existing employees that helps businesses stay productive and profitable, and help employees retain high-wage, high-skilled jobs

› Short Time Compensation, available to employers who reduce employee hours and wages as an alternative to layoffs The Rapid Response team works with the affected workers onsite, at job centers, in mobile career centers or virtually to provide information and services that enhance re-employment opportunities. The process begins with a dislocated worker survey to help craft a plan that considers the unique needs of each individual. Services may include:

› Reemployment Assistance (unemployment compensation) guidance

› One-on-one career counseling

› Job search and placement assistance

› Resume assistance

› Interview coaching and mock interviews

› Assessments for career interests and skill level

› Labor market information

› Access to a resource room equipped with computers, internet, phones, copy machines, etc.

› Special access to hiring events, job fairs and other networking events

› Full-funded training for career and industry certifications that are in-demand in this region (includes tuition, books, uniforms, travel allowance and other supportive services)

› Apprenticeships and On-the-Job Training opportunities

› Access to the state’s largest jobs database and job-matching system

› Veteran services

› Connection to small business development resources

› Connection to social and community resources to include mental health and family counseling, financial counseling, housing assistance, childcare assistance, transportation assistance and more

CareerSource Gulf Coast assists job seekers every day. We help those laid off, those seeking a first time or new job, and those who are looking for a better job find their career path. The job market is rich with opportunities now and finding those opportunities especially helps laid off workers move forward with a new path for success.