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ABOUT THE EDC SITE MAP RESOURCES/LINKS CONTACT US
Workforce Assistance
Labor Resource Team
A team of training and employment specialists can be available to meet with companies, on-site, to identify specific employment needs.  For example, skills upgrade training, OSHA certifications, etc. This team then works with the company to develop a specific plan to address those needs.  The team can be comprised of representatives from the community college, technical institute and one-stop career centers.
Regional Job Website
Employers in Manatee and Sarasota Counties can use www.JobFocus.com, a FREE regional website, to post their job openings and search posted resumes.  Jobseekers can search for open positions as well as post their resumes on this site.  The internship feature allows for internship positions to be posted and interns are encouraged to post their resume on this site.  The School Career Link provides a direct connection to the career centers at higher educational facilities.
u  www.jobfocus.com
Your Employment Link
u  www.jobsetc.org
Jobs ETC - Your One-Stop Business Services Center
Relocation
The Employee Relocation Program is a program of the Economic Development Council designed to assist companies in successful employee recruitment and relocation.  The focus of this program is on the employee or potential employee's family and helping them make a successful transition into the community.

The program enables the new employee and his/her family to meet with, and start relationships with local residents other than company related staff.  It is available to a new or transferred employee when the company is picking up the moving costs associated with the relocation.
Resume Summary Listing
The EDC also offers a FREE resume summary listing where jobseekers provide their resume along with a short summary.  The summaries are published and faxed to all value-added companies in Manatee County.  If a company is interested in a particular summary(ies), they can contact the EDC and the resumes will be faxed to their attention.  This service is widely used by local companies as well as job seekers. 
Trailing Spouse Program
The EDC recognizes that 50% of families are now dual career professionals, and that employment for the “trailing spouse” is a top concern both for the relocating family and the employer.

Through available resources, local business contacts and the Tampa Bay Partnership, the EDC can assist spouses of relocating employees in finding a job in their career field.
Job Fairs
Finding employees to fill positions within your company may be a challenge in today’s economy. It is a concern of many local businesses.  As an economic development organization, the EDC works with local companies to find creative ways to attract potential employees to their doors.  One way is by coordinating community-wide job fairs/career expos where employers have an opportunity to meet and interview potential employees.  The EDC currently co-hosts, with the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, bi-annual job fairs – one held in the Spring and one held in the Fall.

Job fairs are also coordinated by JobsETC throughout the year where job seekers can meet employers who have immediate hiring needs.  In certain circumstances, employers can make arrangements to conduct individual job fairs at the one-stop offices in Bradenton, Sarasota and Venice.  Visit www.jobsetc.org for more information. 
Source:  Economic Development Council
Training Grant Programs
Training funds are available locally through JobsETC, the regional one-stop career center, as well as through Workforce Florida, Inc., the state's workforce development organization.  New or expanding companies in Manatee County who create new jobs in the county or who upgrade the skills of their existing workforce may be eligible for these funds.  The EDC can assist companies in determining whether they qualify for grants as well as assistance in identifying training providers.  A sample of how training grants have been used to upgrade the skills of local employees include:  forklift training, leadership and team building, CPR, soldering, train the trainer and workplace Spanish.
Grants available, and funded on an annual basis include:
* Employed Worker Training
* Incumbent Worker Training
* Quick Response Training
Internships
The EDC coordinates the internship program by providing a mechanism to match student interns with local businesses, and is dedicated to providing the opportunity for interns to gain the necessary skills and knowledge they need in order to become viable and successful citizens in the community.
Employers:
Businesses can participate in the internship program by hosting one or more interns at their site.  In doing so, companies can help create a labor pool of potential employees who will tend to remain in the community because of their internship experiences.
Employers interested in hiring potential interns can access the internship feature on
www.jobfocus.com
Students:
Internships provide an opportunity for students to preview a career by way of “meaningful” workplace experience.  Students develop a connection between what they learn in school and how it applies in the “real” world.
Students can indicate their interest in internship opportunities by posting their resume on
www.jobfocus.com.
Source:  Economic Development Council
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL * MANATEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
P.O. BOX 321 * 222 10th Street West * Bradenton, FL 34206-0321 * Phone: +1 (1-941) 748-3411 * E-mail: Info@manateeEDC.com