ORLANDO – Governor Rick Scott announced the presentation of Veterans Performance Incentive Awards to three partners within the state’s CareerSource Florida network for the outstanding service to veterans provided by their employees. Governor Scott made the announcement yesterday at the 2015 Workforce Professional Development Summit.

Governor Scott said, “Veterans have sacrificed to protect our freedom, and it is important that we give back to those who serve us. I am proud to recognize CareerSource South Florida, CareerSource Florida Crown, and Career Source Okaloosa Walton - three workforce development boards who have gone above the call of duty to ensure Florida veterans have jobs and can live their American dream in Florida. I look forward to seeing their continued success to make sure all Florida veterans have jobs.”

The federal Jobs for Veterans Act established a program to provide performance incentives to recognize the career centers, operated by Florida’s local workforce development boards, which provide excellent employment services to veterans. Under the act, states can designate up to one percent of their Jobs for Veterans State Grant allocation for incentive awards. 

Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Executive Director Jesse Panuccio said, “Florida is committed to being the most veteran-friendly state in the nation, and we strive daily to meet our obligation to serve those who have served us.  Veterans make hardworking, loyal, and skilled employees and helping these individuals land jobs is an important part of the work conducted by the CareerSource Florida network across the state. On behalf of DEO, congratulations to the winners and thank you for your service to Florida’s veterans.”

CareerSource Florida President and CEO Chris Hart IV said, “All of the dedicated veterans’ employment staff within our network are veterans themselves, and know firsthand the benefits to Florida’s businesses of hiring veterans. We thank them for their service to our nation and our state, and applaud this year’s award recipients for their innovation and leadership.” 

A committee comprising representatives from DEO, CareerSource Florida, and the Department of Labor’s Veterans Employment and Training program reviewed the nominations and selected winners. A total of $113,000 was shared equally by the three winning award recipients. The local workforce development boards being recognized are:

• CareerSource South Florida – this region created partnerships with local businesses to support a veteran’s stand-down event by providing employment opportunities. Caterers for the event hired homeless veterans and support companies also hired veterans for the event. Many of the temporary assignments became permanent employment for the veterans.

• CareerSource Florida Crown – this region partnered with a special mentoring and homelessness assistance organization to help homeless veterans in the community connect with employment.

• CareerSource Okaloosa Walton – this region uses its mobile unit to reach veterans in rural areas, where transportation is limited, as well as to visit military installations.

The Veterans Performance Incentive Award funds will be used to encourage enhancements to employment, training and placement services for veterans, and to encourage career centers to strive for superior performance in all areas of service delivery for veterans.

For more information on employment opportunities for veterans, please visit veterans.employflorida.com.