Growing need for innovative, effective workforce development presents big opportunity

July has come around again, which means a new program year and new budget for CareerSource Suncoast.

The unemployment rate is stable at a remarkably low 3.1 percent for Manatee and Sarasota counties combined, and as expected, the formula-driven funding for all workforce boards in Florida continues to contract with the improving economy.

As we inch closer to full employment, we prepared ourselves for a decreased budget, but are thankful that the new funds available are virtually level with last year.

That being said, we are doing more work with the same amount of funds, and investing a significant amount of money on resources such as Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People to better prepare job seekers for the workforce.

Over the past five years, our funding has decreased by roughly a third. Coincidentally, we don’t have a third less work to do, and operating with the funds we have presents its own challenges.

That said, it is the combined effect of fewer resources — along with skyrocketing needs for innovative and effective workforce development — that presents the real opportunity.

That means that designing and implementing a nimble business model focused on rapidly shifting needs for our community is the new normal. We can’t do anything about the formulaic piece of the budget, but we can get creative and do more with less by working smarter with other organizations that have interests aligned with ours.

“Rethink Workforce” was the theme for this year’s State-of-Talent Conference and remains the focus for the upcoming program year.

CareerSource Suncoast customized employer solutions, integrated with value added by our many community partners, reflects both the letter, and the spirit of the 2014 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

We must not settle for a scaled-down version of a traditional workforce board, but redouble our investments in the right portfolio to recruit, train and retain talent for employers on the Suncoast.

We remain committed to model an aggressive collaborative approach to workforce development throughout the region. Engaging with the "right" partners, facilitating frequent meaningful communication among those partners, and emphasizing local customized programs are the essential elements for achieving economic prosperity.

We are committed to be good stewards of our funding, watchful for new opportunities, and prepared to make course corrections throughout the year. We will look for ways to overlap with other organizations to leverage resources, and will continue to trust in our Board members for guidance on strategy.

On behalf of myself and the staff, I want to express sincere thanks to our Board Members and community partners in Manatee and Sarasota. We look forward to another successful year.

Ted Ehrlichman, president and CEO of CareerSource Suncoast, writes about workforce issues across the region.

This story was originally published June 29, 2018 at 11:50 AM.