Florida MEP: Florida Manufacturing Extension Partnership

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2010

For more information please contact:
Claudia Follet
(321) 939-4000
claudiaf@floridamep.org

Volusia-Based Manufacturer Takes Advantage of Mobile Job Training Program

ORMOND BEACH, FL - Having crisscrossed its way across the state, the Florida Manufacturing Extension Partnership’s (MEP) state-of-the-art Mobile Outreach Skills Training (M.O.S.T.) unit has set up shop in front of the Energizer Personal Care plant in Ormond Beach. Fifteen Volusia-area residents are currently taking part in an intensive, two-week job training and placement program, which began last week. Participants not only receive the latest manufacturing training, but also the promise of permanent employment with Energizer Personal Care following successful completion of the training session.

“We appreciate the opportunity to work with Florida MEP and are excited to have these applicants going through this training program. We know they will come out with the skills and knowledge needed because of their experience with M.O.S.T.,” said Mischelle Romesberg, Energizer Personal Care Plant Director. “Energizer Personal Care manufactures some of the most widely-used sun care products, so quality control is a top priority to ensure continued customer satisfaction. We are confident that graduates of the M.O.S.T. program will meet our standards of excellence.”

The Florida MEP M.O.S.T. program provides quick-start job training for small and mid-sized manufacturers in need of entry-level workers. Outfitted with cutting-edge equipment, the M.O.S.T. traveling unit offers participants an opportunity to upgrade or learn new manufacturing skills. The program consists of theory, practical skills, hands-on curriculum including computer-based 3-D simulations and self-paced training modules.

“According to the most recent statistics, there were 11,566 businesses in Volusia County that generated $22.4 billion in sales. I can attest to the fact that a skilled workforce was the key to success for many of these businesses,” said Phil Ehlinger, Director of the Volusia County Department of Economic Development. “We are glad Florida MEP’s M.O.S.T. unit decided to stop in since its training session is sure to produce well-qualified workers that will soon become an important part of the Volusia business scene.”

With the unique advantage of mobility, the M.O.S.T. program is able to take its services to the parts of the state where jobs and potential employees are located. The unit can be situated right at the doorstep of an employer’s facility or at a location convenient for trainees. The M.O.S.T. program can also be customized to suit the needs of participating employers, which helps reduce the time it typically takes for a trainee to become a productive employee.

“The M.O.S.T. program can be tailored to the individual companies we are working with, and offer options and resources to accelerate the screening, hiring and training process for companies looking for entry-level employees. It’s a winning model for both businesses and those seeking jobs,” said Claudia Follet, Florida MEP Director of Grants and Partnership Development.

After three months of decline, the most recent unemployment figures released by the Agency for Workforce Innovation show the number of unemployed Floridians rose to 11.5 percent last month. Volusia County’s numbers are higher than the statewide average with 12.3 percent of residents out of work.

“One of the major issues faced by many of our manufacturers, surprisingly, in this era of high unemployment, is finding the needed skilled workers,” said Jayne Fifer, Volusia Manufacturers Association President and CEO. “To have the M.O.S.T. mobile unit at Energizer Personal Care preparing employees with the specific skills the manufacturer needs is a tremendous asset to our community and will help make a difference in building our businesses.”

Candidates for this training were selected by Florida MEP in conjunction with Spherion Staffing Services, a leading recruiting and staffing provider. Participants are required to pass a basic education test and drug screening to qualify for the program. Prior to selection for participation in the program, each candidate is interviewed by a M.O.S.T. representative.

“The Center for Business Excellence’s goal is to provide innovative customized employment and training solutions to support economic prosperity. Florida MEP’s M.O.S.T. mobile unit fits right in with our strategic approach to meeting that goal,” said Rick Fraser, President of the Workforce Development Board of Flagler/Volusia-Center for Business Excellence. “This is an instrumental resource for the businesses in our community in their search for a trained workforce.”

The program is funded in part by a U.S. Department of Labor grant of $856,000. For more information on Florida MEP or the M.O.S.T. unit, visit www.floridamep.org or www.timewisemost.com.

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Florida Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is a non-profit service available to every manufacturer in the state to help them compete more effectively in the global marketplace. In the past five years, Florida MEP clients reported $722.9 million in increased and retained sales, 2,317 jobs created and 4,701 jobs retained as a direct result of guidance received by the program.¹ The nationwide system of MEP centers is linked through the U.S. Department of Commerce - National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), with the common goal to strengthen the global competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers.

¹No client is surveyed more than once in a 12 month period. Data is from 20 Quarterly Surveys, Quarter 4 2004 – Quarter 3 2009, which were conducted from January 2005 – November 2009. Clients are asked about impacts experienced over the past year. Reported impacts modeled using IMPLAN Pro version 3.0 software. Modeling procedures available upon request.

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