Approve Participation in the Skills Upgrade Program for the Employment & Retention of Veterans (SUPERVets)

Last fiscal year, WorkNet Pinellas, Inc. secured a two-year federal grant (SUPERVets) to support an employer’s on-the-job training expenses of qualified military veterans as they transition into private/public sector employment. This fiscal year the grant has been made available to all Florida counties through June 30, 2006, with a possibility of extension.

The grant provides for free advertisement of open positions through internet job boards. When the district hires qualified veterans into regularly established permanent positions under the same terms of employment of other non-veteran employees, we are reimbursed for wages, fringe benefits, and on-the-job training expenses for newly hired veterans and for veterans who are currently employed with the district for 90 days or less. The reimbursement rate is calculated at 50 percent of the employee’s quarterly salary and paid to the employer in two equal installments.

Recruitment and retention of qualified veterans would be enhanced if a portion of the veteran’s employment expenses were reimbursed to them after one year of successful employment. Examples of these possible reimbursement expenses include initial fingerprint costs, physical examination expenses, and Alternative Certification Program costs.

Goals 2, 3, 4 and 5 – Critical success Factors 2.b, 3.b, 4.c, and 5.a – Recruit and retain highly qualified employees.

Depending upon the number of qualifying and participating veterans, the district may realize a significant inflow of dollars.

12/31/06