Pinellas County and Hillsborough County are announcing a significant change in area workforce development. The two counties have decided to combine CareerSrouce Pinellas and CareerSource Tampa into one entity called the Hillsborough/Pinellas Workforce Development Consortium. Both County Commissions endorsed the agreement, solidifying a shared commitment to advancing regional workforce development.
The initiative to merge the two organizations into a unified entity was catalyzed by the Reimagining Education and Career Help Act, known as the REACH Act, which became law in June 2021. Following a comprehensive study completed in Feb. 2023, the consolidation recommendation gained momentum and received Governor Ron DeSantis’ endorsement, setting an effective date of July 1, 2024.
In a joint statement, Steve Meier, CEO of CareerSource Pinellas, and John Flanagan, President & CEO of CareerSource Tampa Bay (Hillsborough), expressed their optimism:
“CareerSource Tampa Bay and CareerSource Pinellas are enthusiastic about the positive impact this consolidation will have on workforce development in the region. The unified effort aims to enhance the delivery of services to job seekers, workers and employers, fostering a more efficient and comprehensive workforce development system.”
More about CareerSource
CareerSource Florida is the statewide workforce policy and investment board. They frequently partner with the Department of Economic Opportunity, 24 local workforce development boards and 100 career centers throughout Florida. CareerSource works to help connect businesses with the talented workforce and training needed to succeed and grow.
CareerSource offers a wide range of services and resources to job seekers, including:
- Job placement assistance
- Career counseling
- Skills assessments
- Training programs
Additionally, CareerSource works closely with employers to understand their workforce needs and provide customized recruitment and training solutions.
