TALLAHASSEE – Governor Rick Scott proclaimed September as Workforce Development Month in Florida. Each year, Workforce Development Month is observed during the month of September around the country in recognition of the workforce professionals who play a vital role in the economic recovery and growth of their states and the nation.

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and CareerSource Florida are committed to workforce training and providing employment assistance to the 9.5 million individuals who make up Florida’s labor force. People remain the most important asset of the Florida economy, and continued talent development allows Florida’s economy, and the job opportunities available within the state, to grow.

DEO Executive Director Jesse Panuccio said, “There are many reasons why Florida has one of the top-performing economies in the nation, and our skilled workforce ranks high on the list. To stay competitive, it is critical that we keep focusing on and investing in education and training.”

DEO, CareerSource Florida and the state’s 24 local workforce boards work diligently throughout the year to assist Floridians and their families in developing their skills and finding meaningful employment in Florida. The CareerSource Florida network provides assistance to more than 1.2 million individuals and 124,000 employers annually.

“The CareerSource Florida network consists of dedicated teams of workforce professionals whose priority is connecting Florida’s businesses with our talented workforce,” said CareerSource Florida President and CEO Chris Hart IV. “We thank Governor Scott for his recognition of Workforce Development Month. By continuing to emphasize the importance of the development of our workforce to meet the needs of business, both today and tomorrow, Florida will be a global leader for talent.”   

Through the development of Florida’s workforce and an overall commitment to job creation, the state’s unemployment rate has dropped by more than five percentage points, and more than 917,000 private sector jobs have been created since December 2010. During Workforce Development Month, and throughout the entire year, Governor Scott, DEO, CareerSource Florida, and the state’s local workforce boards will continue their commitment to providing Floridians with career development opportunities and to connecting employers with skilled, qualified employees.