'There are decent jobs out there'

Florida's unemployment rate set a record earlier this year and the percentage of unemployed in Highlands County continues in double digits.

But there are thousands of jobs around the state - for those who are eligible - that are currently available through the Florida Back to Work program. There are also jobs in the region that includes Highlands County.

Funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the program provides jobs for Floridians who meet low-income requirements and have a child 18 or under at home. Under the federal guidelines for the program, most parents receiving unemployment compensation benefits would be eligible. Questions about eligibility can be found at www.floridajobs.org.

According to the Agency for Workforce Innovation, more than 7,300 job openings for the Florida Back to Work program are listed online on the Employ Florida Marketplace - www.employflorida.com. The positions range from entry level to high skill. The majority of jobs are in the $9- to$14-per-hour pay range.

Roger Hood, CEO and president of Heartland Workforce, said his agency has contracted with 17 employers in Highlands, Hardee and DeSoto counties, with seven additional contracts pending administrative processing. The 17 employers have created 58 new jobs in the three counties.

Hood said there has been a mix of private businesses, public organizations and a few not-for-profit organizations participating.

"Considering the unemployment rate, I'm surprised we're not seeing more people apply," Hood said. "There are decent jobs out there."

He added that some of the local job seekers aren't being hired for vacancies under the program include lack of the minimum skill levels required by the employer, not having a minor child in the household, or their income is above the threshold amount.

Hood noted his staff has encountered people that may be currently receiving unemployment compensation that don't appear to be seriously looking for a job.

Although federal funding for the program currently ends Sept. 30 of this year, officials are hopeful that the participating businesses plan to keep the employees after that date.

Florida Hospital Heartland Division hired Melina Hart in early April as a human resources assistant.

Michelle Myers, human resources manager for the hospital, said the program has worked well. She added that Heartland Workforce "made the process very easy for us."

Myers said based on Hart's performance, she would like to have her continue working for the hospital Oct. 1. But Myers added that she doesn't know if that will happen. It will be a budget decision that should be made by late summer.

Hart said she was laid off in March from her job as an intake coordinator for the Highlands County Coalition for the Homeless.

Hart said she went to the Heartland Workforce One-Stop Center in Sebring "every day." She added she initially didn't know about the Back to Work program.

Ronnie Carter, broker/owner of Century 21 Advanced All Service Realty in Sebring, said he hired a marketing director through the program. The individual, whom Carter declined to name, just started working last week.

Carter said it is a "great program" and added he is hoping to be able to continue to employ the person after it ends.

Hood said the state has asked Congress for an extension of the program.

There are other jobs available that are not part of the Florida Back to Work program and don't have the same eligibility requirements. According to Hood, there are more than 100 jobs available in the region including Highlands, Hardee and DeSoto counties.

Additionally, there are more than 20 agricultural-related jobs available.

The Heartland Workforce One-Stop Career Center in Sebring is located at 2730 U.S. 27 N.