2009
January 2009 – Polk Works hosts its first State of the Workforce Summit in partnership with Mid-Florida Society for Human Resource Managers (Mid-Florida SHRM) at the Lakeland Center with approximately 200 business professionals in attendance.
March 2009 – Polk Works receives $4.5 million dollars in American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Funds to fuel the economy, retain and create jobs.
March 27, 2009 – Polk Works hosts its’ Fifth Annual ACES Golf Tournament for Workforce Development and Literacy raising over $70,000 in funds. Keiser University took the lead as Title Sponsor. Tournament Chair for 4 consecutive years was Larry Miller of Spherion with co-chair Ed Chambers of United Food & Commercial Workers Union.
March 2009 – Polk Works hosts the Southeastern Employment and Training Association (SETA) Conference in Destin Florida. Polk Works President & CEO, Stacy Campbell-Domineck is installed as the 2nd Vice President of the SETA.
April 2009 – Polk Works WorkForce 2020 signs Recruiting Agreement with Lakeland Regional Medical Center.
April 2009 – Polk County Board of County Commissioners appoints 14 new Board members to the Polk Works Board of Directors to take position in July 2009. The newly appointed members included: James Barnes, International Brotherhood of Boiler Makers – Local 433, Larry Fairchild, Packaging Corporation of America, Tim Jackson, Nujak Construction, Michael LaPan, The Lakeland Center, Robert Lusa, RF Lusa & Sons, Inc., Michael A. Micallef, Jr., Community Southern Bank, Alice Murray, University of South Florida, Joe Oullette, Aldi, Inc., Jane Patton, Haines City Chamber of Commerce, Benny Robles, Bartow Ford, Anthony Rodriguez, The Ledger, Edna Rohland, Brighthouse Networks, Mark Thomas, Blackmon Roberts Group, Inc.
May 2009 – Polk Works WorkForce 2020 signs Recruiting Agreement with Polyglass.
May 2009 – Polk Works President & CEO, Stacy Campbell-Domineck is reappointed to the Lakeland Utility Commission for an additional 3-year term.
May 2009 – Polk Works announces its Summer Youth Employment & Training Program to place 300 young people into jobs for the summer at $8 per hour for up to 30 hours per week for 6 weeks. Polk Works allocated $1.2 million of the ARRA funds to support this initiative.
June 2009 – Polk Works graduated its members of Leadership Institute Class I. Graduates include Paula Bohnstedt, Gloria Hatchett, Luz Heredia, Jackie Small, Shela Stewart-Lucas, Nancy Vaughan. The graduating class presented the President & CEO with a check for $27,277.00 raised during the class project. Leadership Institute Class II was announced and the members include: Traci Agius, June Baptiste, Nilda Blanco, Mollie Brown-Ferrier, Candace Burns, Mike Carew, Lynda Crist, Alexis Echeverria, Rhona Garner, Traci Hall, Laurie McDonald, John Quinlisk, Greg Robinson, Mercedes Rubiano, Arlalia Wesley.
June 2009 – Spherion Staffing of Lakeland wins contract for Employer of Record for Summer Youth Employment & Training Program. Henkels & McCoy will serve as contracted Service Provider to oversee the program.
June 5, 2009 – Polk Works hosts its’ second Corporate Institute to train all of its staff and partners to ensure quality performance over the next program year.
June 23, 2009 – The Polk Works Young Leaders program recognizes 36 high school graduates, 21 GED recipients, and 8 CNA recipients during its graduation ceremony. All graduation participants were awarded with a new laptop and case from Polk Works.
July 2009 – Phillip Walker is appointed as the Board’s Chair.
August 2009 – Polk Works introduces the Professional Services program which targets professional job seekers. These services are available for individuals who have training and education beyond high school, usually holding degrees, certifications or licensures recognized in a particular industry, with a work history demonstrating the individual has held a position requiring minimal supervision and involving independent discretion and judgment.
August 2009 – Polk Works presents the State of the Workforce through its Workforce on Parade program. Staff visited various locations around Polk County giving an overview of the county’s workforce supply/demand and covering what Polk Works is doing to assist the community in addressing current and future workforce needs.
August 20, 2009 – The Polk Works Annual Meeting was held at the First Presbyterian Church in Lakeland and brought in a crowd of over 400 people. Awards were given to select individuals for their outstanding leadership and support throughout the year. The Best Places to Work Awards and the Employers of Distinction title were given to several businesses throughout the community.
- Best Places to Work- DSM Technology Consultants; Cross, Fernandez & Riley; Clark Environmental; American Compliance Technologies; Lanier Upshaw; BCI Engineers & Scientists; Ascent Healthcare Solutions; Bunch & Associates; Ferguson Enterprises; Coca-Cola North America; Southern Wine & Spirits
- Brighthouse Networks; Keith & Schnars; Lakeland Regional Medical Center; Marriott Vacation Club International; Polk County Board of County Commissioners; Polk County Clerk of Courts; Winter Haven Hospital, Inc; WS Badcock Corporation
- Larry Miller Award- Larry Miller, Spherion (first time award was given)
- Workforce Champion Award- Congressman Adam Putnam
- Hammer Award- Gary Tarr
September 2009 – Polk Works concludes its Summer Youth Employment & Training Program. Approximately 325 youth were placed in summer positions with over 70 employers. As a result of the program, 16 youth were hired permanently.
September 15, 2009 – Polk Works in partnership with Books-A-Million hosts the first Coffee Talk for Professionals. Coffee Talks provide job seekers with valuable resources including resume critique, interviewing insights by Polk Works’ business services team and networking opportunities.
September 2009 – Polk Works Young Leaders hosts an open house at each of its locations for youth between the ages of 16 and 21 in order to showcase its services.
October 29, 2009 – Polk Works in cooperation with USF Poly/Polk State College and Congressman Adam Putnam host the Veteran’s Exposition and Employment Fair at the Lakeland PSC Campus.
November 2009 – Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation presented Polk Works with a $5,000 grant to support Workforce Development Activities in Polk County as part of their mission to make a positive difference by building strong and vibrant communities.
December 2009 – Polk Works Young Leaders Career Coach Beverly Dingle was honored at recent Henkels & McCoy Regional Meeting. Her committed work with the youth of Polk County by encouraging them to obtain their high school diplomas and work towards employment has spanned for over 30 years.
December 2009 – Polk Works, partnering with WorkNet Pinellas, has been granted funds through The Florida BRAIVE Fund, to provide incentives for employers to hire veterans in central and southwest Florida that have served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF/OEF).