CareerSource Florida’s Chris Hart IV discusses workforce opportunities

Chris Hart IV, president and CEO of CareerSource Florida, addressed workforce opportunities and challenges in Florida at the Meet the Minds luncheon, held by The Argus Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to joining business leaders from diverse industries and leveraging their talents and experience to benefit the community.

At the Wednesday, October 5, luncheon over 90 attendees came to hear Hart’s perspectives on the statewide workforce policy and investment board and how the organization is connecting businesses with a talented workforce and needed training. Major Sarasota County employers like PGT Industries, FCCI Insurance Group and Sarasota Memorial Hospital, among others, were also in the audience.

In September 2016, the CareerSource Florida network reported helping 32,125 Floridians in attaining jobs. That network includes 24 local workforce development boards, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and 100 career centers throughout the state.

“Fifty-one percent of the 750 volunteer leaders throughout Florida who serve on one of the local workforce boards are business people just like you,” Hart said. “They are people like Eric Robinson, Alex Moseley, Tramm Hudson and so many others who own businesses and are focused on the marketplace.”

Last year, CareerSource Florida’s network worked with over 80,000 Florida businesses to ensure their needs were being met.

“Talent is the main driver in every economy, and the key driver in economic growth,” said Hart. “In the areas of tech, talent and tolerance or quality of place, Sarasota County is doing a fantastic job.”

The transition from unemployment to employment is a major economic development factor, Hart said. Individuals assisted by the CareerSource Florida network with connecting to employment experienced an $11,000 salary increase, on average, representing a $5 billion impact on the economy.

“Our guiding principal is our vision,” said Hart. “We focus on that vision, and it’s what we live by. We believe that Florida will be the global leader for talent. Now, just think about what a community needs to do to in order to have a talent system in place to meet the needs of today and tomorrow.”

About The Argus Foundation

Established in Sarasota in 1983, The Argus Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to joining business leaders from diverse industries and leveraging their talents and experience to benefit the community. The organization, which seeks to facilitate communications between the public and private sectors, has more than 170 members from 50 different industries. For more information, visit ArgusFoundation.org.

Meant to educate and stimulate, the Meet the Minds luncheons feature informative guest speakers who discuss the important issues impacting the community, state and world.

About CareerSource Florida

CareerSource Florida is the statewide workforce policy and investment board of business and government leaders charged with guiding workforce development for the state of Florida. CareerSource Florida provides oversight and policy direction for talent development programs administered by the Department of Economic Opportunity, Florida’s 24 local workforce development boards and their 100 career centers. Together, the CareerSource Florida network connects employers with qualified, skilled talent and Floridians with employment and career development opportunities to achieve economic prosperity. Learn more at careersourceflorida.com or 1-866-352-2345.