2008
March 2008 – Polk Works WorkForce 2020 signs Recruiting Agreement with Cellynne Corporation.
May 2008 – Polk Works President & CEO begins her role as Chair of the Lakeland Chamber Leadership Lakeland Class XXVI.
June 2008 – Polk Works WorkForce 2020 signs Recruiting Agreement with Mosaic Company.
June 2008 – Polk Works launched its’ first ever State of the Workforce Survey to assess the workforce needs of Polk County Businesses. The survey is set to be completed and distributed at the August Annual Meeting.
June 6, 2008 – Polk Works hosts its’ newly created Corporate Institute. This Institute was created and designed to develop and upgrade the skills of the staff and partners of Polk Works and to enhance the quality of services provided by the Workforce System. The faculty of this Institute is charged to monitor each Divisions’ progress over the next year. The Division with the most significant improvement by December 2008 will be allowed to attend the SETA conference in March in Destin, FL.
July 2008 – Rebecca Rodgers is reappointed as the Board’s Chair.
July 2008 –Polk Works launches its first Leadership Class I of the newly created Leadership Institute. Class members include: Steve Thompson, Ed Holcomb, Marsha Leap, Luz Heredia, Shela Stewart-Lucas, Nancy Vaughan, Gloria Hatchett, Paula Bohnstedt, Jackie Small, Joyce Bentley.
August 21, 2008 – Polk Works Annual Meeting themed “Extreme Makeover, Polk Works Edition” brings over 320 to the Lake Mirror Center. Lakeland Regional Medical Center’s President *& CEO Jack Stephens receives the Workforce Champion Award for his outstanding leadership and support of Workforce Literacy. Dick Till of Till Office Equipment receives the Polk Works Hammer Award. Polk Works distributes its first State of the Workforce Survey.
August 21, 2008 – Polk Works bestows title “Employers of Distinction” to those who have won the Polk Works Best Places to Work Award for three consecutive years. The 2008 Employers of Distinction were: Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Polk County Board of County Commissioners, Bright House Networks, Keith & Schnars, Marriott Vacation Club International, Polk County Clerk of Courts, Winter Haven Hospital and W.S. Badcock Corporation.
September 2008 – Polk Works Corporate & Business Services (WorkForce 2020) offices move to a new home in Bartow in the Colonial Bank Building at 600 N. Broadway, Suites A & B on the first floor.
November 2008 – Due to a tough economy, Larry Miller, ACES Tournament Chair decides to postpone Polk Works’ Annual ACES Golf Tournament until March 2009.