Job
Seekers
Services ::
Specialized Support ::
FAQ
Connecting with a new
job, a new career, or educational opportunities has never been easier.
The Workforce Center has resources available to
help you set and reach your career goals.
Our Job Seeker
Services Include:
Access to Resource Rooms
At the
Workforce Center, you
can use our Resource Room for free
access to computers with high-speed Internet access, phones, fax
machines, copy machines, and printers. We can provide you with all the
tools you need to create your resume and cover letters, print, fax, or
email them to prospective employers and search job opportunities on the
web.
Get a Job
Find the right job for you by using our new statewide job matching
services. You can access
this service online by using
Employ Florida Marketplace or by visiting our Center. We
have
career counseling professionals on hand to help you with local job leads
that match your skills and interests.
For more resources on job
searches,
click here.
Training, Workshops & Recruitment
If you are having
difficulty matching your skills to available job
opportunities,
training may be an
option. The Workforce Center can refer you to one of our training
partners who can assist with assessments and financial assistance
eligibility. These programs may include vocational certification and
associate’s degree curricula.
You can also benefit from
our partnerships with local employers who are actively recruiting
people with your skill sets. We schedule and manage job fairs
and other forums for
jobseekers to meet with potential employers
face-to-face.
Unemployment Claims
The Workforce Center can provide you with a copy of the Florida
Unemployment Claims booklet which has detailed information and
instructions regarding unemployment compensation. Workforce Center
staff is unable to provide specific information concerning eligibility
or claim status, but can provide general assistance in completing a
claim form.
Filing a Claim
You can file your Florida
Unemployment Compensation claim online at
https://www2.myflorida.com/apps/uc/fluid/ or by calling toll-free
at 1-800-204-2418.
For additional information or instructions, please contact the Claims
Assistance Center @ 1-800-204-2418, or visit
http://www.floridajobs.org/unemployment/index.html
and choose from a list of topics.
If
you’re a veteran and need help making the transition into civilian life
or just want to improve your current job situation, we can help. We
have a highly trained team of Veterans’ Employment Specialists that
assist veterans in securing employment through job referral/matching
services, job development, job training and career management.
Click here to find
out more.
Military
Family Employment Services
Spouses
and family members of active duty military personnel can get career and
employment assistance as well as receive training and education. For
more information, contact Starr Bond at 850-872-4340 ext. 118.
Workers With Disabilities
The Workforce Center links
individuals with disabilities to resources designed to connect them to
the right employment opportunities. The State of Florida encourages
diversity in the workforce and is working to ensure that every citizen
who wants a job has a job, regardless of disability. The following sites
may be useful:
Financial Assistance
A transitional period between jobs
can be very stressful. The Workforce Center does not administer the
following programs, but wants to assist you by making their links
accessible to you in a single place:
-
You may be eligible
for a
Pell Grant to help with training and education costs associated
with changing jobs.
-
Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) eligibility determination is made
by representatives of the Department of Children and Families. You may
complete the
Request for Assistance form online. At this time, the form must
still be printed and
mailed through the postal system.
-
Florida KidCare offers low-cost health insurance for uninsured
children from birth through 18.
-
Florida Medicaid provides health coverage for selected categories
of people with low incomes.
-
Florida Child Support Services can help in locating missing
parents, establishing child support orders, enforcing child support
orders, and modifying child support orders.
Early Education and Care, Inc. provides a variety of resources to
help you meet your childcare needs.
-
To find out about
other government benefits for which you may qualify, visit
GovBenefits.
Carpooling/Transportation Assistance
Driving to work every day can be costly, both financially and to the
environment. Through the
West Florida Regional Planning Council’s Ride On Commuter Assistance
Program, you can cut travel costs, reduce traffic congestion and can
help save the environment. As a registered participant in the program
you will be matched up with other carpoolers and be
eligible for the
Guaranteed
Ride
Home which provides rides from work to home during times of emergency.
Visit
www.controlyourgas.com to find out
more.
Bilingual Job Search
Sites
Bilingual-Jobs,
Job Line International, and
Lat-Pro.com offer job links in the USA and Canada for non-English
speaking and bilingual job seekers.
World Lingo offers a free online translator for your resume or for
help in completing a job application.
1. What do I do if I have a
criminal history and need to find a job?
People who have
been involved in the criminal justice system may face specific
barriers returning to the workforce. There is help! You can obtain
assistance with applications and interviewing tips from
www.exoffenderreentry.com.
2. Who do I contact if I don’t
think my employer is paying me fair wages or I feel that I have not been
compensated for my time?
The Department of Labor enforces the
Fair Labor Standards Act which sets basic minimum wage and overtime pay
standards. For additional information or assistance, visit their
website at
http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/wages/index.htm or call the Labor Board
at 1-800-342-3450.
3. I am a senior citizen and need
to work. How do I find a job?
At the Workforce
Center, we work with people of all ages and experience levels to find
jobs. The
AARP and
Experience Works may offer additional resources.
4. What are the restrictions on
the hours a minor can work?
The Bureau of
Child Labor enforces the child labor law which is designed to protect
the health, education, and welfare of working minors in Florida. All of
the information you will need regarding child labor laws can be found at
http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/reg/childlabor/index.html.
5. What is the difference between
disability and workers' compensation?
Disability is for
off-the-job injuries or illnesses, while workers' compensation covers
on-the-job injuries or illnesses. Information on Florida’s Workers'
Compensation Program is available at
http://www.fldfs.com/wc/ and information on Social Security
Disability can be found at
http://www.ssa.gov/disability/.
6. Can my employer terminate me
for no "valid" reason?
Yes. Florida is an
employment-at-will state. The employment-at-will doctrine is a
judicially created common-law rule that states employment is for an
indefinite term and is presumed to be at will. Contact the United States
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission at
http://www.eeoc.gov/ or in Florida, contact
http://fchr.state.fl.us/.
7. How do I file a complaint if I feel that I have been a
victim of discrimination?
If you feel that
you are a victim of unlawful discrimination, you may visit the Office
for Civil Rights website at
http://www.floridajobs.org/civilrights/ocr_complaint.html for
instructions and procedures for filing a discrimination complaint.
Other Important
Numbers:
Wages and Hour Board
1-866-487-9243
Workers Compensation
1-800-303-3649
EEOC 1-800-669-4000
Last Revised: March 2008
