Workforce Resource Map Supports Local Employers
St. Petersburg EDC develops digital guide for local employers to best leverage available resources
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – (December 12, 2018)- The Greater St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has partnered with CareerEdge to develop a website that showcases a comprehensive listing of workforce-related resources available to employers in the greater St. Petersburg area.
The site, StPeteWorkforce.com, classifies programs, incentives, and other resources into five categories: Recruiting, Training & Development, Incentives & Grants, Internships & Apprenticeships, and Diversity & Inclusion.
“We wanted to create a place where local employers could quickly and easily navigate through the many resources available to them that will ultimately grow jobs in our community,” J.P. DuBuque, President of the Greater St. Petersburg Area EDC said. “It remains a top priority for the EDC to not only bring new businesses to the area, but to also ensure we are supporting the growth and success of the companies already here.”
CareerSource Pinellas, St. Pete Works, and Launch Code are among the more than forty resource providers listed on the site. Incentive and grant information covers programs from the City of St. Petersburg’s Grow Smarter Job Creation and Talent Attraction Program and the U.S. Department of Labor’s H-1B Technical Skills Training Grant Program. The Workforce Resource Map also provides employers with not-for-profit recruiting sources, and training and development programs sorted by industry type.
“There is a remarkable number of organizations and dedicated individuals working to ensure our local businesses can prosper and more individuals can find work. The Workforce Resource Map provides concise, real-time resources for employers to access services faster and more efficiently,” Mireya Eavey, Executive Director of CareerEdge said.
The Workforce Resource Map was unveiled to the public for the first time at the second annual Grow Smarter Summit held at Pinellas Technical College last week.
“Mapping the various resources available in the region around workforce development is a great benefit to all employers, especially prospective employers,” Dr. Sri Sundaram, Dean of USF-St. Petersburg Kate Tiedemann College of Business said. “The work by the EDC and CareerEdge is a great benefit to the economic development efforts of the Grow Smarter Initiative.”
Prior to the summit, the St. Petersburg EDC held a site review session with local community members and human resource professionals. Nearly twenty local organizations provided feedback for site enhancements, including UPC Insurance.
“As we rapidly expand and source talent in the St. Petersburg market, we are constantly seeking alternate resources to aid our hiring efforts,” Alycia Weigley, Human Resources Director for UPC Insurance said. “The Workforce Resource Map will also prove to be beneficial as we source internship candidates and training programs for current employees.”
The Greater St. Petersburg Area EDC and CareerEdge are encouraging community members to review relevant site pages and advise of any program updates. The site will be reviewed and evaluated every six months.
Site updates in progress. Please direct all inquiries to mmcclellan@stpeteedc.com.
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About the St. Petersburg Economic Development Corporation
The St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corporation is a partner in the Grow Smarter Strategy to create awareness of the business climate in St. Petersburg and to invigorate the growth of jobs in the target sectors of marine and life sciences, data analytics, financial and business services, specialized manufacturing and creative arts and design.
About CareerEdge Funders Collaborative
CareerEdge is an innovative partnership of business, government, and philanthropic organizations that leverages public and private dollars to provide opportunities for quality jobs and higher wages in Manatee and Sarasota counties. The first regional collaborative of workforce investors in the southeastern United States to be designated as a site of the National Fund for Workforce Solutions, CareerEdge was created with funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, City of Bradenton Central Community Redevelopment Agency, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Bank of America, City of Bradenton Redevelopment Agencies. It is also supported by contributions from the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation, Microsoft, Sarasota County Government, Jane’s Trust, Jobs for the Future, JP Morgan Chase, Scheidel Foundation, Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, United Way Suncoast and Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. For more information about CareerEdge and its partners, please visit www.careeredgefunders.org or call 941.556-4045.