TALLAHASSEE, Fla.(WTXL) — Increased unemployment benefits passed under the CARES Act runs out Friday.
It's a tough time for many Big Bend residents and CareerSource Capital Region is doing their part to match employers with employees as well as people looking for a job.
CareerSource says they're anticipating the need for jobs to grow.
For close to 12,00 Big Bend residents, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are very real.
"It's 7.2% unemployment. We were at what, 2.5%, 2.9% just four or five months ago," said CareerSource Capital Region CEO James McShane.
That's close to 12,000 people across Leon, Wakulla and Gadsden counties, the three Big bend counties that CareerSource Capital Region serves.
"We help anybody that is looking for a job and we help our employers that they need for their talent requirements," said McShane.
With increased unemployment benefits set to run out Friday, CEO James McShane knows they're only going to get busier but they're not immune from the effects of the pandemic either.
"It'll overwhelm us most likely. We've lost funding since 2000 a little bit at a time. That's what we're looking for is dislocated worker money that the government can give us. We've asked for $2.8 million, we think that'll handle what we need to do in order to give good service," said McShane.
A service they've had to adapt.
"We've changed over to online services, we've added more services than we've ever had. The goal is to give people the service they need so they can get re-employed as soon as possible," said McShane.
But with everything, they hope 300 jobs will ready to be filled right now.
"Our goal is going to be quick turnaround, certifications, working with TCC, Lively, trying to get those certifications as quickly as possible so the person can get out and get a job right away," said McShane.
James McShane said he wants people to know CareerSource is open and ready to help.
