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readers who are seeking employment?
1 on 1 with
Kimberly Moore
CEO OF WORKFORCE PLUS
Kimberly Moore, CEO of Workforce Plus, sat down with
Lifeline to discuss issues relating to the unemployment
rates in the big bend area. Get ready: the leader of
the big bend’s largest employment agency company
is about to give you tips to help you get employed and
stay there.
LL: What can we you say about the unemployment
rates of African American men across the Big Bend
area?
KM: I don’t think it’s any different than what we are
seeing on a national front with unemployment across the
board, but focusing in on this area, the unemployment
rate is 8.4% (Leon County). What we have found within
this is that Black men make up a great amount of the
percentile that are unemployed. The same holds true
in the amount of time it takes for an African American
man to be employed it takes longer. There are certainly
other variables to be considered, but these are trends
that we have been able to document.
LL: What are some of the key initiatives and
partnerships that you have put in place or have been a
part of that men (or women) can take advantage of at
Workforce Plus?
KM: Well, we have partnerships with the Leon County
School district where we are able to conduct a GED
program and classes at the Workforce Plus offices. We
have partnerships with credit counseling and consumer
services, vocational rehabilitation, Big Bend Cares, Big
Bend Homeless Coalition, the list can go on and of the
partnerships we have in place to serve our clients.
LL: What kind of advice or tips can you offer our
LIFELINE magazine
KM: Don’t sale yourself short! It’s a tough time for
anyone looking for employment, but take advantage
of the resources that are available. Better yourself.
Even though you may not have employment now, there
are lots of opportunities to gain training, and to gain
new skills. Make sure that the skills that you currently
posses are not diminished during unemployment, but
that the skill remains polished. The need for learning is
lifelong and not just temporary.
LL: What kinds of programs are offered through
Workforce Plus that deals with individuals re-entering
into society from incarceration?
KM: When it comes to re-entry we do offer federal
bonding workshops, where as when an employer
wants to give an job opportunity to someone who has a
criminal background we can provide the employer with
bonding insurance. The insurance basically protects
the employer for giving that individual a second chance.
LL: Earlier you spoke of partnerships with credit
counseling and consumer services. Why does
Workforce Plus feel the need to help one manage his/
her credit/finances?
KM: Interesting enough, although it important to
access and purchase things with credit it is also
becoming an important factor in securing employment.
It’s important for us (Workforce Plus) to communicate
that although you may have poor credit right now,
here is an opportunity to rebuild. People usually know
they have poor credit, but do they don’t have the tools
or information to move from that situation to a more
positive one? We understand that. So we offer our
customer base these services under one roof.
LL: Is there anything that you want our readers to know
about workforce that we didn’t cover?
KM: The services that Workforce Plus provide are not
dedicated to just one group. It’s for the community. Our
services are available to anyone from youth to the older
worker. If you don’t need the services, we encourage
you to be a part of the solution. You can contribute by
donating clothing or by being a motivational speaker. I
think all these things are vital in building a community
that we can be proud of. We just all have to contribute.
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