Florida free job training programs.
Government programs in Florida can help residents gain new skills, obtain employment, or further their career. The state, working closely with local businesses, non-profit organizations, and the federal government Workforce Centers near you will help facilitate a number of free programs for those seeking help.
The employment assistance is wide ranging. Individuals that have benefited in the past include youth, senior citizens, retirees, immigrants, Spanish speakers, Latinos, and the long term unemployed. An extensive number of free services are made available to those who need help in Florida.
Free job center services, Internet access, computers and resources
Job Seeker Services will be made available at your local Florida Workforce One-Stop Career Center. The sites will provide a number of valuable resources and services to help clients meet their needs. These can be targeted at people who are seeking a better opportunity, those who recently lost their job, or if you are just seeking a new skill or an increase in income. Specialists will strive to provide clients with the tools and resources they need to be successful.
Many of the Florida Workforce One-Stop Center have resource rooms, libraries, or computer labs on site. This will vary by location, so you will need to call. Where available, the computer labs will provide free internet access for education or work needs, use of copies or fax machines, and other tools for clients. Some unemployed residents use these centers to network as well.
Additional services available can let people search for local regional and national postings on the Employ Florida Marketplace. So if you are looking for open positions in your local town, somewhere else in the state, or if you are even open to relocating, the centers can help address this need.
Orientations and Workshops are available. The sessions can provide assistance with job searches. For example, learn how to enhance a resume, use the latest computer technology, and also access other resources. Computer skills training can also be held in a workshop format. These can better educate job seekers on basic and even more advanced computer skills. Tutorials are often used for some of the standard office software including QuickBooks and the various Microsoft programs. Also, learn which jobs are hot, research average wages in Florida and explore the current and expected future employment trends.
Low income families, or immigrants, often need basic supplies for (1) an interview or (2) a new job. Workforce Centers are a place of information for clients, including low income families. There will be free clothing banks for job attire, personal hygiene or toiletries, notebooks, briefcases, uniforms, and other items. Job seekers can use a workforce center for this information.
Counseling and free advice at Florida Workforce Centers
Career counseling is offered from the counselors at the Workforce centers. These individuals can help clients with their decision-making, career planning, and will help them identify barriers that may be keeping people from obtaining employment.
Career assessment testing will review a clients abilities, skills, and interests. The results will offer insight into the types of jobs, education and training programs that suit you. Clients will often be assigned to a specialists part of this process and will access a number of services. Some examples include the following.
- Individuals can receive assistance with posting and preparing resumes, get help with interviewing techniques, obtain new skills and interests assessments.
- One-Stop Career Centers and the specialists from the locations will help people apply for a job. They can also register for other programs in Florida, including intensive services such as group career workshops, job training programs, comprehensive assessments, individual career planning and counseling, and ongoing follow-up services.
Numerous educational opportunities are offered in Florida. These are usually made available for people that are having difficulty matching their current skills to available job opening. Training and counseling may be an option for clients. Also learn about scholarship programs and federal aid, such as Pell Grants.
Specialized Florida job programs for disabled, elderly, veterans, and teens among others
Veterans services are administered by staff. Your local centers provide clients with access to employment specialists. Ideally they can help the hundreds of thousands of veterans and military personnel that live in Florida make the transition into civilian life or improve their current job situation from new gaining skills. Priority will always be given to members of the military.
Florida workers with disabilities can get advice and one on one support in navigating the system. Receive help in going through the complex levels of government and/or non-profit entitlement programs, receive career guidance, and learn about the ADA.
Teenagers, recent graduates and so called young job seekers receive attention as well. Additional programs are for job seekers who range in age from 16 to 21. Specialists can help these younger clients. For example, receive assistance in exploring career opportunities, help with finding a summer job, access to resources for job training and education. Internships are sometimes available too.
Seniors and workers over the age of 55 may receive help too. Programs such as Experience Works are available. This is the state of Florida's and the nation’s largest and most established nonprofit organization. It will help people find employment and local job training opportunities.
Another option is the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). The state, using the resources offered at your local Workforce Center, provides opportunities for low income residents in Florida over the age of 55 that are seeking a job. Many of the positions offered will be part time and clients will be placed with an employer where they can gain experience and learn a new skill. Ideally it will lead to a full time job.
Receive guidance on developing a Professional Network. A number of career transition services are offered for professionals and the currently unemployed. This includes workshops, networking and the development of business partnerships.
Government assistance for unemployed and job seekers
Florida families that currently receive government or public assistance can get help too. Centers can guide clients through the requirements and application processes for public assistance and employment assistance that is offered through the Welfare to Work program. While someone looks for a job they may be able to benefit from child-care assistance, temporary cash assistance (TANF), or even food stamps.
Some individuals have legal problems and can't qualify for a job opening because of that. A local Workforce center can help in this case too. Many have partnerships with pro-bono law firms in Florida and they can provide special services and/or free legal aid to help clients deal with their past and transition into a job. This can even include services such as vocational rehabilitation, domestic violence counseling, and help in dealing with children's issues.
Workforce Centers partner with attorneys, paralegals, and volunteers in Florida that deal with employment issues. Whether it is age, gender, or ethnicity discrimination; illegal termination; access to Cobra insurance or something else, there are free attorney legal services in Florida.
The Workforce Investment Act can assist people with meeting their employment goals and also help them increase their marketability. It can include financial help to pay for classes or workshops in Florida, including ESL. The is a customer-focused and federal government funded program. It has a goal of helping people across Florida access the tools they need to attain self-sufficiency and manage their careers through employment opportunities. There are a few main components to it as noted below.
- An initial assessment will take place as part of Core Services. This is the first level that could lead to job search and placement assistance.
- The next step is Intensive Services. This can help clients either obtain or retain their current employment. Intensive services from WIA provide more personalized activities, such as case management, comprehensive assessment, training, literacy sessions, and more.
- The last component is training services. These may be provided as a final step to those who still can't find a job. Any type of job training in Florida will need to be directly linked to demand occupations. Applicants must already have some skills in order to benefit.
- Over all of this may be financial aid from the government or non-profits. Transportation, bus passes, gasoline, volunteer drivers and more. Even find how to get free gasoline.
The disabled and people on SSI can benefit from the Workforce Investment Act. Qualified Florida residents can receive support including disability assessments, vocational employment opportunities, use of special equipment, and personal service from a counselor. Or even get advice and assistance in filing a claim.
Locations of Workforce centers in Florida
There are dozens of non-profit centers across Florida. They all help with employment needs, job fairs, free career counseling and more. Find a workforce center in Florida near you below.
Workforce Escarosa, Inc.
Counties served are Escambia, Santa Rosa
9111 Sturdevant Street
Pensacola, Florida 32514
Phone number - (850) 473-0939
Workforce Development Board of Okaloosa and Walton Counties
109 Eighth Avenue
Shalimar, FL 32579
Phone (850) 651-2315
Chipola Regional Employment Center
Provides assistance in Calhoun, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, and Washington County.
4636 Hwy. 90 East, Suite K
Marianna, FL 32446
(850) 718-0456
Gulf Coast Workforce Board
Covers the counties of Bay, Franklin, and Gulf.
The center is at Gulf Coast Community College - 5230 West U S Highway 98
Panama City, FL 32401-1058
Call - (850) 913-3285
North Florida Employment Services
Regions/counties - Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor
705 E. Base St.
Madison, FL 32340
(850) 973-2672
Workforce Plus
Counties served - Gadsden, Leon, Wakulla
325 John Knox Rd, Bldg. B-100
Tallahassee, FL 32303
Telephone number is (850) 414-6085
First Coast region
Counties: Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns
Address - 1845 Town Center Blvd., Suite 250
Orange Park, FL 32003
(904) 356-5627
Florida Crown One-Stop Career Center
Serves Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, and Union County.
1389 US Highway 90 West, #170B
Lake City, Florida 32055
Main number - (386) 755-9026
CLM Workforce Connection Enterprise Center
Citrus, Levy, and Marion County.
Main office is at 3003 SW College Road, Ste 205
Ocala, Florida 34474
(352) 873-7939
Florida Works is for people in Alachua and Bradford
4800 SW 13th Street
Gainesville, FL 32608
Call (352) 244-5148
Workforce Central Florida
707 Mendham Boulevard, Suite 250
Orlando, FL 32825
Phone: (407) 531-1222
Covers - Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Sumter County.
Center for Business Excellence
Counties - Flagler, Volusia
Address: Speedway Business Plaza, 329 Bill France Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Phone - (386) 323-7074
WorkNet Pinellas
13805 58th St North
Clearwater, Florida 33760
(727) 507-4300
Brevard Workforce
Address is 297 Barnes Boulevard
Rockledge, FL 32955-5325
Dial (321) 394-0700
Pasco Hernando Workforce Board Inc.
Main address is 3185 Premier Drive
Brooksville, FL 34604
Telephone number for information - (352) 593-2225
Tampa Bay Alliance, Inc. of Hillsborough County
address: 5100 West Kennedy Boulevard
Tampa, Florida 33609
Dial (813) 397-2021 for information.
Suncoast Workforce – Manatee and Sarasota County
3660 North Washington Boulevard
Sarasota, FL 34234
Telephone: (941) 358-4080
Polk County Workforce Development Board d/b/a/ Polk Works
600 N Broadway Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
Phone: (863) 508-1600
Workforce Solutions
Counties are Indian River, Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee.
Location is 584 NW University Blvd.
Port St. Lucie, Florida 34986
Phone (772) 335-3030
Heartland Workforce
5901 US Hwy 27 South, Suite 1
Sebring, Florida 33870
Phone 863-385-3672
Covers counties - DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands County Florida.
WorkForce One Employment Solutions of Broward County
Main address is 6301 NW 5th Way, Suite 3000
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309
(954) 202-3830
Workforce Alliance, Inc.
Provides programs for all of Palm Beach County
Address is 1951 N Military Trail, Suite D
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
Phone (561) 340-1061
Southwest Florida Works
9530 Marketplace Road, Ste 104
Ft Myers, Florida 33912
Phone: (239) 225-2500
Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee County.
South Florida Workforce Investment Board
Job programs cover Miami-Dade and Monroe.
Miami Airport Corporate Center, 7300 NW Corporate Center Drive
Miami, Florida 33126
Main phone number - (305) 594-7615
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