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E News of the Workforce Development Board of Okaloosa and Walton Counties |
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Robert Dobson Chair
Mary Lou Reed Executive Director
January, 2005
The Workforce Development Board
University of West Florida Foundation Establishes Endowed Scholarship Fund Honoring
The Workforce Development Board earns a second year
Workforce Florida awards grant for Skills Upgrade Training
JobsPlus Assists Hurricane Ivan Victims
Launches New Service: The Professional Placement Network
National Campaign Reminds Businesses
The Workforce Development Board of Okaloosa and Walton Counties is a non-profit 501c3 incorporated entity |
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Chairman's Column As chairman of the Workforce Development Board of Okaloosa and Walton Counties, I welcome you to the first email edition of “Workforce Developments”. Our goal is to strengthen communication with you through this quarterly newsletter. I know that my colleagues do good work and I want you to know it too. I welcome your feedback on information pertinent to business issues, your needs, and your concerns.
The Workforce Development Board Wins Top Workforce Award
The Workforce Development Board of Okaloosa and Walton Counties earned the top workforce award given at the state level by winning the second annual George Kirkpatrick Innovation Award. |
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University of West Florida Foundation Establishes Endowed Scholarship Fund Honoring Bill W. Peebles, Jr.
In December, the University of West Florida Foundation designated an Endowed Scholarship Fund for Bill W. Peebles Jr., who passed away on December 3, 2004.
This fund will honor Bill's life and commitment to education by supporting one or more UWF students from the local area. Bill earned his Masters Degree from UWF and headed up the UWF Whitman Center for Public Service on the Fort Walton Beach Campus.
The Workforce Development Board earns a second year of grant funding for two youth programs
The Workforce Development Board of Okaloosa and Walton Counties has been awarded $288,000 in funding for the Education: Pathways to Independence grant for a second year. The grant will serve a minimum of 137 youth in Okaloosa and Walton Counties during the program year. |
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Workforce Florida awards grant for Skills Upgrade Training
The Workforce Development Board has received a $60,236 grant from Workforce Florida, Inc. to facilitate skills upgrade training for 118 incumbent workers in 5 local manufacturing businesses.
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JobsPlus Assists Hurricane Ivan Victims
When residents of Okaloosa and Walton Counties found themselves without jobs after Hurricane Ivan hit in September, staff members of both JobsPlus and the Workforce Development Board were there to assist with special disaster recovery programs. Through December 10, more than 3,700 visits were made to JobsPlus One-Stop Centers for assistance related to the impact of Hurricane Ivan.
JobsPlus Launches New Service: The Professional Placement Network
JobsPlus expanded its services in July of 2004 when it officially kicked off the Professional Placement Network (www.jobsplusppn.com). Coordinated by Ronnie Dowdy, Training and Development Manager for JobsPlus, the PPN is a regional volunteer-driven program that provides networking and career support for professionals and access to a rich pool of talented and experienced individuals for local businesses. Currently PPN activities take place at the Fort Walton Beach JobsPlus One-Stop Center located at 409 NE Racetrack Road.
National Campaign Reminds Businesses to Hire Vets First
Banners hung in each JobsPlus One Stop Center during November as JobsPlus celebrated "Hire Vets First" month (www.hirevetsfirst.gov). The Workforce Development Board issued a proclamation joining the state of Florida and the U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans Employment and Training Service, in proclaiming November as "Hire Vets First" month. The Hire Vets First initiative was established to support all veterans, especially those returning from combat.
To find out more about the Workforce Development Board, go to
At the Workforce Development Board, our mission is simple:
To ensure that every citizen has the opportunity and skills necessary to engage in meaningful employment throughout Okaloosa and Walton Counties, and that every business has access to educated, trained, and prepared employees that meet their needs.
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