May 25, 2009

Diaz, Miami, Unions Launch Workforce Partnership to ‘EMPLOY Miami’

Conference of Mayors President Miami Mayor Manny Diaz launched EMPLOY Miami, a comprehensive workforce master plan designed to connect qualified Miami residents with training opportunities and local employers. Diaz was joined by Commission Chairman Joe Sanchez and Commissioner Michele Spence-Jones for the announcement which took place shortly after the City Commission approved a resolution creating the initiative. The initiative is geared to combat unemployment in the face of the economic downturn and prepare workers resident in the City for future investment and business growth.

“We are working hard in the City of Miami to create jobs through new projects and put people in our community back to work,” said Diaz. “EMPLOY Miami will ensure that Miami residents are trained and ready when these jobs are available, so they can provide a better life for their families.”

EMPLOY is the acronym for Employing Miami’s People in Local Opportunities Year-round. It will help workers find and keep jobs, while improving the City and metro area economy and the overall quality of life of the City of Miami.

The City of Miami is allocating $100,000 from the Mayor’s Poverty Reduction Initiative to directly assist residents with training and development through collaboration with existing community organizations and trade unions. Once workers have acquired skills training, the program will facilitate access to local jobs in the construction, hospitality, retail, environmental “green jobs” and healthcare sectors via an outreach campaign of the City Manager’s Office of Economic Initiatives.

A principal element of EMPLOY Miami is ‘Miami Works’ a collaboration with specific trade unions to ensure that Miami’s workforce has the technical skills required and employability needed by construction industry employers.

The City’s partners for EMPLOY Miami include the Florida Carpenter Regional Council, Florida Construction Laborers Union Local 1652, Plumber’s Union, Painter’s Union, Pipe Fitter’s Union, Electrical Union, the Hospitality Institute, and South Florida Workforce.

For more information on EMPLOY Miami, please contact: William Porro of ACCESS Miami. Tel: 305-416-2181, email: wporro@miamigov.com or the web: www.accesssmiamijobs.com.