2010 Annual Report
"Frederick County Workforce Services is proud of its contribution to our local economy through reemploying and retraining our local workforce; helping businesses find and keep the talent they need; and preparing our youth for jobs of the future. With the support of our business led Workforce Development Board, FCWS continues to be a conduit for job and skills growth in our community. This Year in Review highlights the positive impacts of FCWS successes for 2010."
- Laurie Holden, Director, Frederick County Workforce Services
Helping our neighbors to re-enter the workforce....
Thousands of Frederick County residents who were searching for a job in 2010 took advantage of the resources available through FCWS to improve their employment prospects. After working with FCWS in 2010, 1,766 Frederick County citizens became reemployed, and are now actively contributing to our economy once again.
Here's what a few of these customers had to say about their experience with FCWS:
“They are working so hard for all of us…I got my job thanks to the staff at FCWS!”
“The staff are very, very informative and courteous. The resources are top notch. ”
“I think every city should have a center like yours. It is such a blessing to have your support – I just recently moved to Frederick and it has been very helpful.”
“I’m in awe! What a wonderful service you provide.”
“I don’t know what I would have done without this service!”
With unemployment rates remaining at high levels in 2010, FCWS offered a variety of innovative programs to help Frederick County citizens get back to work. These initiatives included Elevate America - a partnership with Microsoft to provide computer training vouchers to job seekers; Dependable Strengths - a highly effective approach to job search and career planning that is used worldwide; The Edge - a job training program that emphasizes the specific skills most sought after by Frederick County employers; and Job Club - a structured networking group facilitated by an outplacement specialist.
SUCCESS STORY: Previously out of work and without a degree; now gainfully employed with a college diploma: Read Brenda's story.
Alleviating critical skills shortages in the labor market….
In 2010, hundreds of dislocated workers and unemployed citizens were connected with opportunities to engage in formal training programs designed to meet the demands of a changing labor market. In addition, FCWS offered a variety of job search seminars that incorporated feedback from local employers about the qualities they seek in prospective employees. In 2010, these classes were offered to an even greater number of attendees than the prior year.
SUCCESS STORY: Laid off from a job in the Construction industry; currently working full-time at Frederick Memorial Hospital in a professional job with future advancement potential: Read Larry's story.
Connecting businesses with qualified job candidates and results-based employee training….
FCWS served a growing number of businesses in 2010 by providing valuable and cost-effective recruitment services, such as formal job fairs, on-site interviews with prospective job candidates, and job listings with the Maryland Workforce Exchange; by connecting businesses with cost-saving hiring and training programs such as On-the-Job Training (OJT) and Maryland Business Works; and by educating workers throughout the county using highly-rated curriculum through a partnership with FCC Customized Training.
SUCCESS STORY: Customized Leadership Development Training Program at Frederick County Bank provides cross-Training experience, increases organizational productivity, and leads to internal promotions: Read Frederick County Bank's story.
Developing the future workforce of Frederick County….
To prepare the future workforce of Frederick County, FCWS provided strategic oversight of several initiatives in 2010, including the S.T.E.M. scholarship program, which is supported by the Frederick County Workforce Development Board and provides financial support to students who choose to pursue careers in the high-demand fields of Science, Technology, Engineering or Math; and the Summer Jobs Program, which offers practical work experience to young adults in Frederick County with barriers to employment.
SUCCESS STORY: Had never held a job in the "real world" before; participated in the Frederick County Summer Jobs Program to gain experience and confidence: Read Chris's story.
Supporting the County’s revenue base...
By helping unemployed citizens to return to the workforce, FCWS helped to increase the number of County taxpayers in 2010. In addition, FCWS continued to keep costs down while increasing its positive economic impact on the community. For every dollar spent by FCWS in 2010, $27.84 was returned to the local economy. At $399, the total cost per customer in 2010 was 18% less than it was in 2009.