BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
STARKE — CareerSource North Central Florida, which serves Alachua and Bradford counties — is one several CareerSource boards being consolidated to serve a larger area.
The CareerSource Florida board made the decision Feb. 23 that 21 boards would do a better job serving Floridians than 24.
CareerSource North Central Florida is merging with CareerSource Florida Crown, which serves Colombia, Dixie, Gilchrist and Union counties.
According to CareerSource NCF CEO Phyllis Marty, the merger will bring more services and programs to the rural areas of the region.
“This new regional structure will allow us to utilize the efficient administrative model we have in place, which will allow more funding to go back to the services and programs to serve the community. We plan to expand services, not reduce any,” she said.
The process will occur over 16 months, time enough to ensure a smooth transition.
According to a press release from CareerSource Florida, the plan includes overall statewide system improvements and enhanced regional planning.
A reduction in the number of workforce boards was also mandated by a law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2021 — part of an operational review to provide better outcomes for businesses and individuals. It was known as the Reimagining Education and Career Help, or REACH, Act.
CareerSource Florida collaborated the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the REACH Office and the Department of Education. Ernst and Young was contracted to review and analyze data from all 24 workforce regions, the state and more than 700 stakeholders.
Of the options identified, CareerSource Florida approved the plan it found most beneficial, the least organizationally impactful, and most driven by direct input from stakeholders.
System-wide improvements led by DEO and CareerSource Florida are also expected to support regional planning that will result in greater access to resources for local workforce development boards.
According to the press release, the implementation of the plan will improve:
—Access to workforce training options while never decreasing access to services.
—Collaboration among economic, educational and governmental agencies.
—Consistent services to businesses and workforce across the state.
—Alignment of workforce development with economic development.
—Elimination of administrative layers to help focus on workforce development.
—Flexibility in allocating resources to businesses and workforce development.
—Opportunities for businesses to partner within their industry clusters.
—Accountability of workforce-related programs.
The governor is ultimately responsible for designating local workforce development areas, so the consolidation plan will be sent to him and posted at careersourceflorida.com for public comment.
