NewsroomPress releases from Geographic Solutions and news about our clients' siteshttps://www.geographicsolutions.com/News-Events/NewsroomHow Will Rising Interest Rates and Fears of a Recession Effect Hiring in 2022?https://www.geographicsolutions.com/News-Events/Newsroom/PostId/311/employment-trends-in-second-half-of-2022General,Job SeekerMon, 15 Aug 2022 18:31:05 GMT<p>Online magazine, The Street, takes stock of the current job market and looks ahead to gauge supply and demand issues. Many employers are hiring, as seen by the dropping unemployment rate. HR professionals state companies are still catching up with the Great Resignation. Phillip Sprehe, Geographic Solutions resident economist, predicts hiring to continue throughout the second half of 2022 despite fears of an economic recession and rising interest rates.</p> <p>Read Ellen Chang's original article on <a href="https://www.thestreet.com/personal-finance/hiring-in-second-half-expected-to-be-strong">www.thestreet.com</a>.</p> 311Geographic Solutions’ 2022 Workforce Technology Conference Will Reconvene in Clearwater Beach, FLhttps://www.geographicsolutions.com/News-Events/Newsroom/PostId/75/geographic-solutions-2022-workforce-technology-conference-will-reconvene-in-clearwater-beach-flCompany News,Workforce Technology ConferenceWed, 20 Apr 2022 19:41:00 GMT<p><strong>PALM HARBOR, FL (April 20, 2022)</strong> – Geographic Solutions is pleased to announce the reconvening of the annual Workforce Technology Conference (WTC) in Clearwater Beach, FL from October 4-6, 2022. Optional pre-conference training will be offered on October 3, 2022. The 2022 WTC will showcase the latest software solutions offered by the company to promote wide-ranging economic recovery nationwide. </p> <p>The 2022 WTC is directed at workforce development staff, administrators, case managers, corrections professionals, unemployment insurance professionals, higher education administrators and educators, career counselors, and labor market information specialists from around the country. This event focuses on solutions we’ve developed to overcome the challenges often faced by these specialists. The 2022 WTC provides an exclusive opportunity to hear from experts and industry leaders while affording an opportunity to come together for learning, sharing best practices, and networking. </p> <p>This year’s conference agenda will be packed with exciting, educational, and dynamic content. Showcasing over 85 industry and subject matter expert speakers, the agenda will offer hands-on system demonstrations, panel discussions, and think-tank sessions. Social mixers during and after the breakout sessions are curated to expand your professional network.</p> <p>The 2022 WTC is an excellent opportunity for professionals to come together to explore the latest functionality offered with VOS Sapphire 21, Virtual LMI®, Virtual Career Center (VCC), VOS Reentry Employment Opportunities (VOS REO), the Geographic Solutions Unemployment System® (GUS), and the Reemployment Exchange® (REX).<br />  </p> 75'Texas Is Hiring:' Texas Unemployment Continues To Drop, Jobs Are Still Availablehttps://www.geographicsolutions.com/News-Events/Newsroom/PostId/239/texas-is-hiring-texas-unemployment-continues-to-drop-jobs-are-still-availableEconomic Recovery,Job Search,Job SeekerSun, 11 Jul 2021 14:58:00 GMT<p>SAN ANTONIO — Unemployment rates across Texas are going back down but everywhere you look, businesses are searching for workers.</p> <p>“I’ve been reaching out to persons out there to let them know we are still hiring," said Brooster’s Backyard Icehouse Haran Hernandez.</p> <p>If you want a job Hernandez said the Icehouse has one for you!</p> <p>He said even if you've never bartended or worked in the service industry they're willing to help.</p> <p>“Myself as well as Norm, the owner and operator would rent classes before I even got here training new classes. Fresh, never had been behind a bar before their only experience had been visiting bars or been a waitress once or twice in their life at a small restaurant,” said Hernandez.</p> <p>There are jobs available throughout the city, ready for you to apply.<br />  <br /> Read the entire article written by Amanda Henderson and published on July 11, 2021 at <a href="https://www.foxsanantonio.com/news/local/texas-is-hiring-texas-unemployment-continues-to-drop-jobs-are-still-available">www.foxsanantonio.com</a><br />  </p> 239Cisco UCS Server Sets 14 Performance Record Benchmarkshttps://www.geographicsolutions.com/News-Events/Newsroom/PostId/240/cisco-ucs-server-sets-14-performance-record-benchmarksGeneralTue, 06 Jul 2021 15:01:00 GMT<p>Dattatri Mattur, Sr. Director Engineering, Common Hardware Group: Compute Engineering at Cisco, discusses Cisco’s 14 new world record benchmarks. He says, "It isn’t just the excellent performance that sets our servers apart – it’s the simplicity and scalability of our operating model."</p> <p>Read the <a href="https://blogs.cisco.com/datacenter/cisco-ucs-c245-m6-server-based-on-amd-epyc-sets-14-world-records">original blog post here</a>.<br />  </p> 240Pennsylvania Department Of Labor & Industry Modernizes Their Unemployment Compensation Systemhttps://www.geographicsolutions.com/News-Events/Newsroom/PostId/238/pennsylvania-department-of-labor-industry-modernizes-their-unemployment-compensation-systemClient News,Company News,Geographic Solutions Unemployment System,Product and Site Launches,Unemployment InsuranceFri, 18 Jun 2021 15:06:00 GMT<p><strong>HARRISBURG, PA/PALM HARBOR, FL – (June 18, 2021)</strong> Geographic Solutions, in partnership with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is proud to announce a new, web-based unemployment compensation system known simply as the <a href="https://benefits.uc.pa.gov/">Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation System (benefits.uc.pa.gov)</a>. This project was a significant undertaking which sought to modernize Pennsylvania’s 40-year-old mainframe system. The new site, which is the country’s second largest modernized UI system, was launched for public use on June 8, 2021.</p> <p>"Pennsylvania's Unemployment Compensation system took a giant leap forward, not just in terms of technology, but in the quality of service we are able to provide," said PA Department of Labor & Industry (L&I;) Acting Secretary Jennifer Berrier.</p> <p>Participation in the new Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation (UC) system was quickly realized. During the first day the system was available for public use, more than 75,000 individuals successfully filed more than 141,000 claim weeks totaling over $59 million in benefits according to L&I.; Further highlighting the site’s public acceptance, it only took eight days to match the same number of unique users who were filing claims on the state’s legacy system.</p> <p>“To put this into context,” said Acting Secretary Berrier, “the same number of people who have accessed the new system within the [first] 12 hours exceeds the same number of people who would have accessed the mainframe in an entire week pre-pandemic.”</p> <p>The new system is designed to simplify and speed up the unemployment insurance claims process. Individuals filing claims and employers responding to claims are able to easily communicate with agency staff, upload documents, and have access to more self-service options to reduce the need to contact customer service. On the backend, Pennsylvania UC staff will utilize a streamlined claims process for the Commonwealth. Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) will continue to be captured and handled through <a href="https://pua.benefits.uc.pa.gov/vosnet/Default.aspx">Pennsylvania's Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Portal (pua.benefits.uc.pa.gov)</a>.</p> <p>For more information regarding the Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation System, please email <a href="mailto:news@geosolinc.com?subject=Pennsylvania%20Unemployment%20Compensation%20System">news@geosolinc.com</a>.</p> <p><em>Geographic Solutions is the nation’s leading provider of software solutions for workforce development, unemployment insurance, economic development, human services, corrections, labor market information, and education and training providers. The company has developed state-of-the-art systems for employment and workforce development agencies for more than 35 states and U.S. territories. Geographic Solutions’ software is currently being utilized by over 1,200 American Job Centers to serve more than 194 million individuals—reaching over 75% of the job seekers and employers in the country. For more information, visit www.geographicsolutions.com or call 727-786-7955.</em></p> 238Florida Trend Features Geographic Solutions' Employment Recovery Forecast For The Leisure And Hospitality Industryhttps://www.geographicsolutions.com/News-Events/Newsroom/PostId/77/florida-trend-features-geographic-solutions-employment-recovery-forecast-for-the-leisure-and-hospitality-industryCompany News,Data Services,Employment ForecastsThu, 29 Apr 2021 20:20:00 GMT<p><em>Article first appeared online at FloridaTrend.com</em></p> <p>The rebound in Leisure & Hospitality (L&H) employment that began in May 2020 will continue with a second-wave peak expected in July 2021. There was a surge in COVID-19 cases during the Christmas and New Year's holidays that led to many states returning to partial lockdowns. Those actions had a dampening effect on employment.</p> <p>L&H employment hit bottom at almost 8.7 million jobs in April 2020. In February 2021, it had risen to 13.5 million. March data show is has creeped up to 13.8 million jobs. </p> <p>Read the entire article at <a href="https://www.floridatrend.com/article/31115/leisure-hospitality-employment-progresses-toward-2021-projected-high-full-recovery-still-at-least-one-half-year-away">FloridaTrend.com</a>.<br />  </p> 77Geographic Solutions Announces Hire Of New Director Of UI Developmenthttps://www.geographicsolutions.com/News-Events/Newsroom/PostId/78/geographic-solutions-announces-hire-of-new-director-of-ui-developmentNew Hires,Unemployment InsuranceMon, 26 Apr 2021 20:34:00 GMT<p><strong>PALM HARBOR, FL (April 26, 2021)</strong> – Geographic Solutions, the nation’s leading provider of software solutions for workforce development, unemployment processing and labor market information, has named Evan Stevens as its Director of UI Development. He brings 18 years of software development, architecture, analysis, project management, and technical integration in Enterprise applications to the company.</p> <p>“Evan will provide leadership and guidance in best practices, process development, and conversion activities for unemployment and workforce projects,” said Paul Toomey, president and founder of Geographic Solutions.</p> <p>Before joining Geographic Solutions, Stevens served as the Vice President of Technology at Chargebacks911 where he led a large team of developers working with worldwide merchants and financial banking institutions to build chargeback management solutions. Prior to that, Stevens was the Director of Client Systems Engineering for Visa Inc., responsible for a team of developers and contractors developing applications aimed at strengthening relationships between Visa and its financial partners.</p> <p>“I’m excited to be a part of an organization that facilitates assistance for millions of Americans affected by unemployment, especially during the pandemic,” said Stevens. “Geographic Solutions has a demonstrated legacy of providing award-winning solutions for State and Federal workforce programs.  I’m honored to be joining the team.”</p> <p>Stevens earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Brigham Young University, and holds several IT certifications from Aspect Security and Adobe.<br /> Geographic Solutions is excited to welcome Evan Stevens to the team and is committed to supporting unemployment and reemployment solutions across the country.<br />  </p> 78Congratulations To The 2021 Paul Toomey IT Scholarship Winners!https://www.geographicsolutions.com/News-Events/Newsroom/PostId/76/congratulations-to-the-2021-paul-toomey-it-scholarship-winnersCompany NewsWed, 21 Apr 2021 20:16:00 GMT<p>We're pleased to announce that we've awarded the 2021 Paul Toomey IT Scholarships to three outstanding high school seniors. Throughout their applications, essays, and letters of recommendation, these three students demonstrated a strong sense of dedication, passion, and civic mindfulness. Please join us in congratulating Te'Dajah Bradley, Dominick Kapuscinski, and Marlon Edwards!</p> <p>Since 2016, the Paul Toomey IT Scholarship has helped five high-achieving high school seniors with their pursuits of computer-related degrees, and this is the first year we've awarded multiple winners.</p> <p>Each scholarship this year is worth an impressive $3,000. Entirely funded by employee contributions and management matches, we'd like to thank everyone who donated to this worthy cause.</p> <p><strong>Te'Dajah Bradley, East Bay High School</strong><br />  <br /> Te'Dajah began her high-achieving academic career with a dual-enrollment in middle school and virtual school. As one of the top three students across two high schools that she attended, Te'Dajah is active with her school's National Honor Society, Key Club, volleyball team, and softball team, and has still made time to volunteer with Feeding Tampa Bay. Her commitment to her education has driven her to place on the Principal's Honor Roll and receive an Academic Letter. Te'Dajah's career goal is to become an IT Specialist for the government. We are certain that her self-driven nature will help her achieve further success as she pursues an Information Technology degree at UCF.</p> <p><strong>Dominik Kapuscinski, Palm Harbor University High School</strong></p> <p>Dominik leads his peers as the programmer and team captain for the First Tech Challenge, a global competition with over 600 teams worldwide, and his team holds the 2019 World Championship. He also holds a leadership role as Treasurer of Key Club, and is heavily involved with teaching computer aided design as well as computer technology both locally and abroad. He has explored numerous areas of computer engineering within robotics, including 3-D design, programming, computer hardware, and networking through curriculum and with a hands-on approach. We are confident that he will continue to enjoy success in his post-secondary endeavors. Dominik applied to UF, USF, and FSU to pursue a degree in computer engineering</p> <p><strong>Marlon Edwards, Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School</strong></p> <p>Marlon is active in his high school's STEM club, underwater robotics team, National Honors Society, Mu Alpha Theta, sports teams, and band — all while volunteering with Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful. He is a freelance website designer and YouTube Creator. Marlon credits growing up with a non-verbal autistic brother as the inspiration behind his mission to develop tools to assist and improve the lives of individuals living with non-verbal autism. We are confident that Marlon will enjoy continued success at Carnegie Mellon University, where he will study software engineering.</p> 76Partnership With Florida Memorial University And CareerSource South Florida Culminates With Launch Of Geographic Solutions’ Virtual Career Centerhttps://www.geographicsolutions.com/News-Events/Newsroom/PostId/126/partnership-with-florida-memorial-university-and-careersource-south-florida-culminates-with-launch-of-geographic-solutions-virtual-career-centerClient News,Company News,Virtual Career CenterFri, 05 Mar 2021 14:37:00 GMT<p><strong>PALM HARBOR, FL – (March 5, 2021)</strong> – Geographic Solutions, the nation’s leading provider of software solutions for workforce development, is excited to announce the launch of the Virtual Career Center (VCC), a career pathways solution, at Florida Memorial University (FMU).  Sponsored by CareerSource South Florida (CSSF) through the on campus Career Development Center, VCC will help FMU students explore in-demand occupations that align with the interests and skills they develop at the University.</p> <p>Dr. Jaffus Hardrick, President of Florida Memorial University, said “This type of collaboration is going to position us, position our students, to be ready to compete in a global marketplace. That’s what it’s all about. When they graduate, the most important thing is whether or not they have the skills that are going to help them be competitive and to meet the demands of the workforce. This partnership is certainly going to help position our students for that level of success.”</p> <p>VCC is a powerful, web-based career services platform that delivers full self-service functionality to engage students in career development and to partner with employers for successful recruiting. Through this new software, which will be available to FMU students after return to classes for the Spring 2021 semester, students and advisors will have the ability to work together from the start of their education journey through graduation day in one user-friendly system to explore pathways, gain experience, and prepare for REAL employment opportunities post-graduation. To explore the joint venture between FMU and CSSF, visit: careersource.fmuniv.edu.</p> <p>“New graduates face increasing challenges job hunting during the pandemic. Knowing which industries are hiring and how to stand out to employers is invaluable to any student,” said Paul Toomey, President and Founder of Geographic Solutions. “We are proud to partner with FMU and CareerSource South Florida to customize our VCC software specifically for the university to help FMU students.”</p> <p>“We want to use technology to assist students in every way possible so that when they walk across the stage to enter the workforce, they are on their way to a fulfilling career opportunity,” said Rick Beasley, Executive Director of CareerSource South Florida. “Our partnership with FMU and Geographic Solutions makes it possible to equip these students with real-time data on industries that are hiring, tools to determine what career path is best for them, and the training and education needed to get them hired. We are pleased to work with FMU and some of the best and brightest students of South Florida to help them fulfill their mission to be successful.”</p> <p>The FMU Career Development Center currently offers services to assist students at every level, as well as alumni with internships, apprenticeships, on-the-job training opportunities, and post-graduation job placement assistance. VCC is a free resource for students to enhance these services by providing current labor market trends data, allowing them to evaluate both current and projected growth and earning opportunities as they determine their field of study.</p> <p>Students using VCC will take a series of quick assessment tests to gauge their interests and strengths. The software enables them to see exactly what skills are needed, and which FMU programs will prepare them for their desired job. The students’ advisors will also have the ability to track their progress and assist in the career exploration process.</p> <p>From the pathway planning and career development tools to labor market information providing a real-time look at current market conditions, VCC supports and promotes CSSF Career Development Center’s core purpose: providing increased access and awareness to workforce services for college students and recent graduates. CSSF actively partners with local colleges and universities to assist in career pathways exploration and professional development.</p> <p>Listen in as Dr. Hardrick and Mr. Beasley talk about the benefits and advantages of the VCC system on And That's Why We Code: Client Edition, a podcast produced by Geographic Solutions.</p> <p>For more information on this partnership, contact Chuck Johnson, Business Development Executive for Geographic Solutions at CJohnson1@geosolinc.com or (727) 786-7955. <br />  </p> 126Video: Virtual Job Fair Showcases More Than 700 Jobs In Houston, TX Areahttps://www.geographicsolutions.com/News-Events/Newsroom/PostId/273/video-virtual-job-fair-showcases-more-than-700-jobs-in-houston-tx-areaEconomic Recovery,Job Search,Reemployment,Workforce DevelopmentTue, 27 Oct 2020 13:58:00 GMT<p>Read the article and watch the video here at <a href="https://abc13.com/abc13-virtual-job-fair-careers-where-to-find-work-houston-jobs/7243565/">www.abc13.com</a>.</p> <p>HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- If you're looking for a job, ABC13 hosted a virtual job fair with more than 700 positions available.</p> <p>We've partnered with Workforce Solutions to host weekly job fairs. Each event has recruiters answering applicants' questions to help people get interviews quickly.</p> <p>The jobs are located in Conroe and the Houston area with several positions that allow you to work from home. There are several positions including life insurance agents, automotive assembly tech, receptionist, and virtual call center workers.</p> <p>The pay ranges from $10 to $25 an hour. A software developer position pays a salary upwards of $100,000.</p> <p>In order to participate in these virtual job fairs, make sure your Facebook contact information is correct. You can also create a free profile on the state's job website.</p> <p>If you apply during the live half-hour event, Workforce Solutions recruiters will be in touch and possibly get you an interview in days.</p> <p>If you want to preview the jobs, click here and look for the "As seen on the ABC13" section.</p> <p>ABC13 and Workforce Solutions have conducted a weekly job fair for six months, and according to Workforce Solutions, hundreds have received interviews, and more than 20 people are back to work.</p> 273Geographic Solutions Develops No-Touch Solutions To Serve Workforce Development Industry And Job Seekers Alikehttps://www.geographicsolutions.com/News-Events/Newsroom/PostId/272/geographic-solutions-develops-no-touch-solutions-to-serve-workforce-development-industry-and-job-seekers-alikeAmerica's Virtual OneStop,Economic Recovery,Workforce DevelopmentWed, 07 Oct 2020 13:51:00 GMT<p><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></p> <p><strong>PALM HARBOR, FL – (October 1, 2020)</strong> – In response to the events of 2020, Geographic Solutions has prioritized solutions to provide support to American Job Centers in an effort to maintain high service delivery outcomes while protecting the population as Americans return to work. Now more than ever, workforce agencies across the United States are looking for creative solutions that allow staff and job seekers the physical security they need to come together to achieve their shared goal of reemployment.</p> <p>Geographic Solutions has developed no-touch and virtual solutions, and partnered with both Big Interview and Metrix Learning to expand the career tools available within Virtual OneStop® Sapphire (VOS Sapphire). These key moves demonstrate the company’s commitment to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of workforce development organizations as well as the underlying goal to equip those seeking employment with the tools they need to find quality, high-paying jobs that not only match their skills, but their career interests.</p> <p>Geographic Solutions has developed remote signature functionality to allow for the signing of documents by those who are receiving services and job seeking virtually. An important tool to help people maintain the recommended social distance, it provides multiple accessible methods for signing documents—which can be signed anywhere from any device, including tablets and smartphones.</p> <p>As companies explore non-traditional hiring methods, the system’s Virtual Job Fair option has become a successful way to reach a large audience of talent while still safeguarding everyone’s health. As the country shifts into a mode of recovery, Virtual Job Fairs are becoming an excellent recruiting tool to help employers promote critical job openings and connect virtually with job seekers.</p> <p>Geographic Solutions helps job seekers upskill using the Metrix Learning platform. For those looking to sharpen their interviewing skills, Big Interview’s virtual coaching platform can be accessed within VOS Sapphire.</p> <p>For more information on no-touch solutions in VOS Sapphire, contact Deane Toler, Director of Marketing and Sales, at 727-786-7955 or <a href="mailto:dtoler@geosolinc.com?subject=No-Touch%20and%20Virtual%20Service%20Delivery%20Solutions">DToler@geosolinc.com</a>.</p> <p><em>Geographic Solutions is the nation’s leading provider of software solutions for workforce development, unemployment insurance, labor market information, human services, corrections, education, employment, and training. The company has developed state-of-the-art systems for agencies in more than 35 states. Geographic Solutions’ software is available to over 75% of the job seekers and employers in the country. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.geographicsolutions.com/">www.geographicsolutions.com</a> or call 727-786-7955. </em><br />  </p> 272Texas Offers Paid Job Traininghttps://www.geographicsolutions.com/News-Events/Newsroom/PostId/271/texas-offers-paid-job-trainingApprenticeship,Client News,Economic Development,Economic Recovery,Education,Higher Education,Internships,Job Search,Job Seeker,Online Learning,Workforce DevelopmentFri, 18 Sep 2020 13:38:00 GMT<p><em>Read the full article by Erica Proffer at <a href="https://www.kvue.com/article/news/deep-dive-texas/texas-offers-paid-job-training/269-d870bfa6-934c-4fd2-891b-4d2e6eb8cc8d">www.kvue.com</a>.</em></p> <p>The Texas Workforce Commission moved $10 million into a skills development fund. This investment marks a concerted effort to help job seekers upskill and boost their job search efforts. With more than two million Texans out of work, these workforce development efforts couldn't be better timed. The state spent $1.7 million for everyone to have access to <a href="https://tx.metrixlearning.com/landing.cfm">Metrix Learning</a>, with than 5,000 courses, so state residents can learn new skills and take the next step in their careers.</p> 271New IowaWORKS Mobile App Helps Job Seekers Connect With Workforce Serviceshttps://www.geographicsolutions.com/News-Events/Newsroom/PostId/268/new-iowaworks-mobile-app-helps-job-seekers-connect-with-workforce-servicesClient News,Economic Development,Job Search,Job Seeker,Mobile AppWed, 16 Sep 2020 12:36:00 GMT<p><em><strong>Press release provided by <a href="https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/new-iowaworks-mobile-app-helps-job-seekers-connect-workforce-services">Iowa Workforce Development</a>; originally published on September 14, 2020.</strong></em></p> <p>DES MOINES - Today, Iowa Workforce Development announced the launch of the new IowaWORKS mobile application that expands work search services for Iowans.  The mobile app is an extension of the employment services system IowaWORKS.gov, which helps job seekers update their resumes, search for jobs, and communicate with IowaWORKS staff members. Customers can download the app at no cost to them through Google Play or the Apple App Store.</p> <p>“The pandemic has brought to the forefront of almost every aspect of our lives, the need to have a comprehensive and robust digital presence.  Our new application for mobile devices will connect Iowans with IowaWORKS resources and provide direct communication with our talented workforce advisors,” said Director Beth Townsend, Iowa Workforce Development.  “We will continue to find new ways to provide assistance to Iowans in the safest and broadest terms possible and today's launch is a big step forward for Iowa Workforce Development."</p> <p>IowaWORKS Mobile App Features:<br /> •    Customize and save job searches<br /> •    Communicate with IowaWORKS staff<br /> •    View jobs from multiple job boards<br /> •    Update resume information<br /> •    Apply for jobs</p> <p>“The mobile app is an all-in-one tool for job seekers who want to take their job search with them anywhere,” said Michael Witt, IowaWORKS Division Administrator.  “Customers can customize their job search by location and connect with employers through this app.  We look forward to helping our customers find great opportunities through their mobile device.”</p> <p>The mobile app is part of the IowaWORKS.gov system launched by IWD last year to streamline workforce services for Iowans.  This system aligns with the guidelines of the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) to make workforce resources more accessible to citizens.</p> <p>New users can set up their account and current users can use their existing IowaWORKS.gov account on the mobile app.  For more information about the IowaWORKS employment services system, please visit <a href="http://www.iowaworks.gov/">www.IowaWORKS.gov</a>.</p> 268Sonoma County Human Services Department Partners With Geographic Solutions To Launch The Virtual Job Link Centerhttps://www.geographicsolutions.com/News-Events/Newsroom/PostId/270/sonoma-county-human-services-department-partners-with-geographic-solutions-to-launch-the-virtual-job-link-centerCompany News,Human Services,Virtual OneStopSun, 06 Sep 2020 13:11:00 GMT<p><strong>PALM HARBOR, FL - (September 8, 2020)</strong> - The <a href="https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Human-Services/Employment-and-Training/">Sonoma County Human Services Department Employment and Training Division</a> partnered with Geographic Solutions to launch the locally-branded site to better serve residents during the current COVID pandemic and with future economic recovery efforts. The Virtual Job Link Center (<a href="https://www.caljobs.joblinksonoma.org/">caljobs.joblinksonoma.org</a>), which officially launched on August 31, was developed to fill the department's need to deliver services virtually. </p> <p>Since the start of the pandemic, a large portion of the Sonoma County Human Services staff has been working remotely, providing services via phone, email, and online. With the launch of the Virtual Job Link Center, staff can provide services virtually, and notify Sonoma residents of local employment events. Access to virtual services and online events should assist the county's recovery from the COVID-induced employment crisis.</p> <p>The Virtual Job Link Center serves as a platform to connect job seekers and employers. Job Seekers can gain information on careers in building and trades, take part in virtual workshops, and conduct online job searches. Area employers can gain more information on layoff aversions, post new job openings, conduct virtual hiring events, and make use of numerous business resources. The site also targets youth, helping them find employment opportunities by offering a list of youth providers and spotlighting youth-friendly employers.</p> <p>The division's reporting and tracking of services is now simplified, as the Virtual Job Link Center shares a common database with the state's labor exchange system, CalJOBS. All provided job services and candidate searches are captured and recorded in the CalJOBS network.</p> <p>For more information on the Virtual Job Link Center, contact Deane Toler, Director of Marketing and Sales at 727-786-7955 or <a href="mailto:dtoler@geosolinc.com?subject=Sonoma%20County%20Human%20Services%20Dept.%20Virtual%20Job%20Link%20Center">DToler@geosolinc.com</a>.</p> <p><em>Geographic Solutions is the nation's leading provider of software solutions for workforce development, unemployment insurance, labor market information, human services, corrections, education, employment, and training. The company has developed state-of-the-art systems for agencies in more than 35 states. Geographic Solutions' software is available to over 75% of the job seekers and employers in the country.</em></p> 270Geographic Solutions Announces Hire Of New Business Development Executive For Education Industryhttps://www.geographicsolutions.com/News-Events/Newsroom/PostId/265/geographic-solutions-announces-hire-of-new-business-development-executive-for-education-industryCompany News,Education,Higher Education,New Hires,Virtual Career CenterTue, 01 Sep 2020 12:23:00 GMT<p><strong>PALM HARBOR, FL (September 1, 2020)</strong> – Geographic Solutions is pleased to announce the recent hiring of Chuck Johnson, the organization’s newest Business Development Executive for Education. Johnson earned his MBA from Franklin University in Columbus, OH, and brings a wealth of experience to the company’s Marketing Department, including over 20 years of client relationship management, sales and marketing experience with SaaS applications, particularly with education-related technology.</p> <p>Prior to joining Geographic Solutions, Johnson worked with Xenegrade Corp as Regional Sales Manager and was responsible for a 23-state territory. In that role, he established, developed and maintained key relationships with new and existing clients. His work included increasing market penetration, client retention, and third-party affiliations. Johnson has strong hands-on sales, business development and full life-cycle account management.</p> <p>In his new role with Geographic Solutions, Johnson will focus on developing new relationships with school administrators while nurturing current clients and marketing the Virtual Career Center (VCC) solution, an online platform that helps prepare students for the world of work while leveraging workforce connections to foster partnerships and enhance employment outcomes.</p> <p>“A salesperson’s dream is to work for a trusted company whose products and services solve tomorrow’s problems today,” says Johnson. “I am excited for the opportunity to share Geographic Solutions’ VCC with schools to ensure their students have the proper pathways to success, to demonstrate how VCC can enhance student career success by utilizing market data, and to show how their programs can also benefit from labor market data to ensure future coursework is relatable to future industry need.”</p> <p>Geographic Solutions is excited to welcome Chuck Johnson to the team and is committed to supporting education-to-career exploration solutions across the country with our information and technology. For more information, please contact: Deane Toler, Director of Sales and Marketing for Geographic Solutions, Inc. at <a href="mailto:dtoler@geosolinc.com?subject=New%20Business%20Development%20Executive%20for%20Education%20at%20Geographic%20Solutions%2C%20Inc.">DToler@geosolinc.com</a> or at (727)-786-7955. To reach Chuck Johnson directly to discuss education solutions, please call (727)-786-7955 or email <a href="mailto:cjohnson1@geosolinc.com?subject=New%20Business%20Development%20Executive%20for%20Education%20at%20Geographic%20Solutions%2C%20Inc.">cjohnson1@geosolinc.com</a>.</p> <p><em>Geographic Solutions is the leading provider of integrated software for state and local workforce agencies in over 30 states and U.S. territories. The company’s custom online solutions manage all federally funded partner programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and have been designed specifically to meet the diverse needs of American Job Centers, unemployment insurance and economic development agencies, corrections facilities, and educational institutions. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.geographicsolutions.com/">www.geographicsolutions.com</a>.</em></p> 265At Least 5 States Start Paying $300 Unemployment Boosthttps://www.geographicsolutions.com/News-Events/Newsroom/PostId/253/at-least-5-states-start-paying-300-unemployment-boostGeographic Solutions Unemployment System,Pandemic Unemployment Assistance,Unemployment InsuranceFri, 28 Aug 2020 20:10:00 GMT<p>At least five states have begun paying out a <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/13/waiting-on-that-extra-400-unemployment-benefit-heres-what-we-know.html">federal boost to weekly unemployment benefits</a>. Others have signaled they’ll do so within days.</p> <p>Arizona, Louisiana, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas are the first states to disburse the aid, a $300-a-week increase in jobless benefits. (States could choose to kick in an additional $100 a week, but <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/20/will-it-be-an-extra-300-or-400-unemployment-benefit-it-depends.html">most have opted against it</a>.)</p> <p>It’s been nearly three weeks since President Trump signed an executive measure creating the Lost Wages Assistance program.</p> <p>Read the full article at <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/27/at-least-5-states-start-paying-300-unemployment-boost.html">www.cnbc.com</a>.<br />  </p> 253CareerSource Suncoast Provides Interview Tips In Today's Workspacehttps://www.geographicsolutions.com/News-Events/Newsroom/PostId/254/careersource-suncoast-provides-interview-tips-in-todays-workspaceClient News,How to,Job Search,Job SeekerTue, 18 Aug 2020 20:33:00 GMT<p>Discover tips for interviewing in today's workspace with CareerSource Suncoast. Watch the video at <a href="https://www.bradenton.com/news/business/biz-columns-blogs/article244983260.html">The Bradenton Herald's Business Column & Blog</a>.</p> 254Geographic Solutions’ Unemployment Insurance Software Reaches Record High Of $30 Billion Year-To-Date Paymentshttps://www.geographicsolutions.com/News-Events/Newsroom/PostId/255/geographic-solutions-unemployment-insurance-software-reaches-record-high-of-30-billion-year-to-date-paymentsGeographic Solutions,Geographic Solutions Unemployment System,GUS,Pandemic Unemployment Assistance,Unemployment InsuranceMon, 17 Aug 2020 20:42:00 GMT<p><strong>PALM HARBOR, FL (August 4, 2020)</strong> – As the world changes in ways never anticipated, Geographic Solutions, a software development firm who specializes in large-scale workforce development and unemployment insurance systems, has stayed in sync with the rapidly shifting needs of the modern world. As of August 5, 2020, the company has processed and distributed a combined, historic $30.1 billion and counting (year to date) in unemployment compensation payments for clients across eleven states and U.S. territories.</p> <p>The record peak in payments is comprised of traditional unemployment claims, expanded <a href="http://www.dol.gov/coronavirus/unemployment-insurance">Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Insurance</a> claims, and $600 stimulus stipends, which ended on July 25, 2020, distributed as part of the <a href="https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20200404">Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)</a> program.  Batch compensations are uploaded nightly as an Automated Clearing House (ACH) file transfer to be paid out in the form of bank direct deposits, debit cards, and printed checks. The most widely-used method of payment for claimants is direct deposit.</p> <p>Weekly certification claims are accepted seven days a week on all of Geographic Solutions’ unemployment compensation systems, however most individuals who file their certifications do so on Sunday or Monday of each week – with the number of claims steadily decreasing as the week progresses. Payment transfers are processed each night. So for example, individuals who enter their weekly certifications on Sunday should receive a processed payment by Monday night. For more information regarding filing initial and weekly claims, check out our <a href="https://www.geographicsolutions.com/blog/answers-to-frequently-asked-questions-regarding-unemployment-and-pua-claims">Frequently Asked Questions</a>.</p> <p>As the nation tries to stabilize the public health crisis, many companies large and small were forced to close, furlough workers, or eliminate positions all together. As a result, many states and territories struggled to alleviate traffic bottlenecks on unemployment insurance websites, handle the intake of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claims, and the distribute benefits in a timely manner. Guided by Geographic Solutions’ around-the-clock support, our clients have been able to handle the new workload, highlighting their systems’ flexibility, resilience, and reliability.</p> <p>For media inquiries or more information email <a href="mailto:news@geosolinc.com?subject=Media%20Inquiry">news@geosolinc.com</a>.</p> <p><em>Geographic Solutions is the leading provider of integrated software for state and local workforce agencies in over 30 states and U.S. territories. The company’s custom online solutions manage all federally-funded workforce and unemployment programs and have been designed specifically to meet the diverse needs of American Job Centers, unemployment insurance and economic development agencies, corrections facilities, and educational institutions. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.geographicsolutions.com">www.geographicsolutions.com</a>.</em></p> 255Over 522,000 Louisiana Residents Have Received Unemployment Benefits Since Pandemic Startedhttps://www.geographicsolutions.com/News-Events/Newsroom/PostId/252/over-522000-louisiana-residents-have-received-unemployment-benefits-since-pandemic-startedEconomic Recovery,Geographic Solutions Unemployment System,Pandemic Unemployment Assistance,Unemployment InsuranceMon, 08 Jun 2020 19:31:00 GMT<p>View the original video and article at <a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/over-522-000-louisianians-have-received-unemployment-benefits-since-pandemic-start">www.wbrz.com</a>.</p> <p>The U.S. jobless rate dropped to 13.3 percent in May, down from a record high in April. As the state moves into Phase Two of reopening, the Louisiana Workforce Commission says the unemployment numbers are also down in Louisiana, but new claims are still being made.</p> <p>The Louisiana Workforce Commission says it's paid $2.5 billion to over 522,000 Louisiana residents who filed for unemployment from March 21 to now.</p> <p>As the LWC continues to navigate record unemployment claims, it's added another role to the mix. The LWC is working to adjudicate claims from employers who say employees are not returning to work. <a href="https://www2.laworks.net/CARESact/UI_ROW_Create.asp">A form on the state's website</a> says employees must file a claim, and in return the employee must explain to the LWC why they're choosing not to return to work. Each case is being looked into.</p> <p>"That's our new challenge, we have to train adjudicators," Wooley said. "The employee may have a legitimate reason for refusing work. It's not cut and dry. Each side gives a reason and we adjudicate each one."</p> 252First In NJ, Union County Offers “Virtual One-Stop” Employment Service To Help Job Seekershttps://www.geographicsolutions.com/News-Events/Newsroom/PostId/250/first-in-nj-union-county-offers-virtual-one-stop-employment-service-to-help-job-seekersAmerica's Virtual OneStop,Job Search,Job Seeker,Labor Exchange,Product and Site Launches,Virtual OneStop,Workforce DevelopmentWed, 03 Jun 2020 19:21:00 GMT<p>As of Monday, June 1, job seekers in Union County can use the new <a href="http://www.ucajc.org/">Union County Works</a> website to find job openings, job training and education opportunities, help create resumes, and more. It is the first county-based "virtual one-stop" employment service in New Jersey.</p> <p>Union County Works is a project of Union County's American Job Center. The launch of the online platform makes the American Job Center the first local workforce area in the state of New Jersey to offer a virtual one stop to its residents. It is designed to help all job seekers, including veterans and youth, connect with resources remotely while offices are closed to the public during the COVID-19 outbreak.</p> <p>"The Union County American Job Center was responsible for procuring a new system through a competitive process in July 2019, which resulted in a company called Geographic Solutions being selected for their Virtual One Stop platform, which is now called Union County Works," Mirabella explained. </p> <p>To learn more about our Virtual OneStop solution, visit our <a href="https://www.geographicsolutions.com/VOS">web page</a>.<br />  </p> 250