MESSAGE
to Stakeholders
Kimberly Bodine, Executive Director Ted Mosteller, Chariman It is our pleasure to share this publication with you; it details a year of exemplary service for our region, again ranking as one of the top performing regions in the state for the fifth year. Despite a decrease in Federal funding, we served more employers per dollar than any other region, continued to broker and fund training for employed workers, and helped thousands of job seekers find work. We were able to do this through the commitment of our staff to find additional grant funds from other sources, the excellent work of our providers to carry out the services needed in our communities and most importantly the strong direction provided by our volunteer board members. In partnership with our chamber and economic development partners, we held employer forums in each county of our region and asked employers what our workforce is lacking. We recorded a strong list of training needs and brokered training with our local providers and beyond to fill those needs. In partnership with our three school districts and Florida's Great Northwest we were able to establish advanced study academies in each of the counties that make up our region including an advanced technology academy in Franklin County, an advanced math and science academy in Gulf, and an industry certified construction technology academy as well as a middle and high school pre-engineering program in Bay. As you read our report keep in mind that everything that we do ultimately is designed to improve the economic health of the communities that we serve. We know that the relationships that we have with our partners in economic development, education, local and state government, and especially the business community are the key to continuing our success and growing a vibrant economy in Northwest Florida. We hope that this report will give you a glimpse of those partnerships and of the success we are having in building stronger communities every day.
WHO WE ARE
The Gulf Coast Workforce Board is a public/ private partnership chartered by the state to administer workforce development programs in Bay, Gulf, and Franklin counties. Members of the board represent a broad cross-section of industry, economic development, government, and education partners. Our mission is "to provide leadership, oversight, guidance and assistance to institutions and agencies delivering training and workforce services in order to meet the economic development and employment needs of Bay, Gulf, and Franklin Counties.? The Board creates the vision and the focus of workforce services in our region and selects service providers who are best suited for ensuring that our workforce meets the employment needs of our community.
