Help is here: workforce resiliency promoted with free job training

CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion is offering free access to Metrix Learning, a dynamic online training platform to help anyone improve their employment skills.

The online learning initiative, called “Skillup® Citrus Levy Marion,” features more than 5,000 courses that can be accessed 24/7 by anyone with high-speed internet.

Rusty Skinner, CEO of CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion, said that area community organizations are invited to partner with CareerSource CLM to access the Metrix Learning system to benefit those they serve. There is no charge for the service.

Since the effects of the pandemic began to be felt in the region, the number of workers who lost their jobs skyrocketed to near record highs, hitting 12.9 percent in April, up from 3.9 percent just two months earlier.

“This free training is an ideal opportunity for anyone and everyone in our region, regardless of whether they lost their job due to COVID-19,” said Kim Baxley, vice president for Safety and Human Resources for the Central Florida Electric Cooperative and CareerSource CLM’s board chair.

Skillup® Citrus Levy Marion allows participants to learn at self-pace, receive clear training milestones, and achieve industry certificates upon completion through customized badges. The online courses lead to more than 180 in-demand industry certificates and offer coursework in everything from soft skills to project management.

For guidance and fee-free re-employment assistance, CareerSource CLM career coaches are also available to assess job seekers’ interests and skills gaps and work with them one-on-one to create individual Training Plans aligned with their targeted career pathway.

CareerSource CLM’s services are accessible by phone, email, Live Chat and video conferencing.  Job seekers may also meet with staff, by appointment only, at any of the region’s career centers in Ocala, Lecanto or Chiefland.

The Skillup®  portal can be reached at citruslevymarion.skillupamerica.org. For more information, call 1-800-434-JOBS or visit careeresourceclm.com.

Community human services agencies interested in becoming a Skillup partner should contact Dale French, CareerSource CLM’s director of operations, at 352-873-7939, ext. 2204 or email dfrench@careersourceclm.com.