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SUTYLVIARY The "Workforce Enhancement Task Force" has successfully brought together the agencies who contribute to economic and workforce development in the Gilford community. This group of professionals have examined basic econonuc development, workforce development and workforce enhancement initiatives currently provided in the community and have identified there is little or no duplication of services or effort within the community. On the contrary, the group found there to be an informal awareness and collaboration among groups,.and public and private agencies who work within Gifford. The Task Force hereby makes the recommendations contained in this report to the members of the County Commission for their action. By addressing the issues presented in this report, the Board of County Commissioners will send a positive message of commitment to those who are unemployed or underemployed and to the young people who are looking to build a future in Indian River County. Helping all of our citizens will enable them to share in the quality of life for which Indian River County is known. It is recommended that the County continue the efforts of this Task Force so that these identified initiatives can be successfully achieved. In order to accomplish the tasks at hand and the recommendations presented here, the Task Force identified as the number one priority to encourage the County Commission to establish and fund an office within county government that will be empowered by the County Commission to work with any and all public offices, agencies, educational institutions, government officials or representatives and all private groups, organizations, and individuals to coordinate and carry forth the plan of action for short-term and lone-term success of a program generated by these findings. It is the feeling of the task force that this office can achieve success if it is staffed by someone who is intimately fauuliar with the community and motivated to move the recommendations forward to implementation. Although this report focuses on the Gifford community, it's recommendations can be applied to other specific areas of the county. And, the impact of any action taken on the recommendations in this report will positively effect our entire county_ BACKGROUND ISSUES • The economic base of the county is historically dependent on agriculture and service industries, resulting in high seasonal unemployment. • The County is making efforts to balance our economic base by increasing the number of full-time, better paying value added jobs. These jobs require higher skill levels. - • Certain population groups within the county have not been considered part of the mainstream labor market and consequently lack the skills necessary to advance into higher skilled positions. • Target minority communities have large numbers of unemployed or underemployed job seekers. Area businesses seek employees. However, available jobs do not match available people. • Training and education programs are available but, for a variety of reasons, the target job seekers are not always able to take advantage of these programs. 74