WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA has been awarded a $244,475 Career Retention and Advancement Challenge Grant from the Better Job/Better Wages Council of Workforce Florida, Inc.  The goal of the grant is to assist the working poor in decreasing their dependence on government cash assistance and welfare. Grant funds will provide the working poor with workplace skills that build their capacity to retain employment and advance their careers beyond entry-level positions. 

To implement this grant, WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDAhas partnered with Heartland Workforce Region 19, the faith-based organization Jobs Partnership of Florida, the community based organization Frontline Outreach, training providers Orlando Technical School and South Florida Community College, and Florida Hospital.  The Florida Hospital partnership provides completers of the Health Unit Coordinator program with access to career-based entry-level opportunities in the high growth healthcare industry.

70 persons are expected to participate in this program by the end of June 2003.