What CareerSource Okaloosa Walton does

CareerSource Okaloosa Walton is a non-profit Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB) established in 1996 under the Workforce Florida Act, designated to administer federal and state workforce development services for Florida's Workforce Region 2, covering Okaloosa and Walton counties in Northwest Florida. The organization operates as the statutory one-stop career center system for the region, serving both job seekers (career assessments, resume assistance, training scholarships, workshops, job fairs) and employers (free job posting, recruitment, pre-employment screening, training incentives). Services are delivered through three physical career centers (Fort Walton Beach, DeFuniak Springs, and Eglin AFB), a 40-foot Mobile Career Center with 12 computer stations, and a statewide online platform (EmployFlorida).

The organization's technology stack consists primarily of off-the-shelf assessment and credentialing tools, including AMCAT Aspiring Minds (over 1,400 validated skill assessments), Traitify personality assessments, TABE surveys, and the Florida Ready to Work credentialing program. Job-matching and listing functions are handled through the state-administered EmployFlorida platform rather than proprietary technology. The Mobile Career Center represents the most differentiated physical asset, enabling on-site service delivery at employer locations and community events. No proprietary AI/ML systems, APIs, or software products are developed or sold by the organization.

CareerSource Okaloosa Walton is funded entirely through federal and state workforce development grants, with disclosed awards totaling $2,586,375.00 from the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Agriculture (0% from non-governmental sources). All services — including WIOA scholarships of up to $6,000 per participant and employer incentives such as On-the-Job Training wage reimbursement and Work Opportunity Tax Credit support — are provided at no cost to both job seekers and employers. The organization operates as part of Florida's statewide CareerSource Florida system, with the Executive Director (Michele Burns) and a Fiscal Director overseeing a small, program-dedicated staff distributed across center coordinators, career advisors, and specialized program staff serving veterans, youth, welfare recipients, and individuals with disabilities.

Name

CareerSource Okaloosa Walton

Legal name

CareerSource Okaloosa Walton

Website

https://careersourceokaloosawalton.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CareerSource Okaloosa Walton is a non-profit Local Workforce Development Board delivering free employment and training services to job seekers and employers across Okaloosa and Walton counties in Northwest Florida, funded entirely by federal and state workforce grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Employment Placement Agencies and Executive Search Services (56131), Employment Placement Agencies (561311), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Job Placement, Matching & Career Navigation Services (EDAAAOAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Career Coaching, Mentoring & Placement Support Services (EDAAAKAO), Workforce & Job-Seeker Services (Community-Based) (EDAAAFAM), Individual Outplacement & Career Coaching (BPACAOAA)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Employment training programs
• Job placement services
• Career counseling
• Veteran employment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Walton Beach, FL

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Awards: CareerSource Okaloosa Walton is a non-profit organization funded primarily through federal and state workforce development grants. The organization receives awards from U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Agriculture. All programs and services are provided at no cost to employers and job seekers. Total awards amount to $2,586,375.00 with 0% financed from non-governmental sources.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CareerSource Okaloosa Walton is a non-profit Local Workforce Development Board providing free, comprehensive employment and training services to job seekers and employers across Okaloosa and Walton counties in Northwest Florida. Core offerings include job search assistance, career assessments, resume and interview preparation, employer recruitment, hiring events, pre-employment screening, WIOA training scholarships, On-the-Job Training with employer wage reimbursement, veteran priority services, and youth workforce programs, delivered through physical career centers, a mobile career center, and the EmployFlorida online job board.

Product overview

CareerSource Okaloosa Walton is a non-profit workforce development organization providing a comprehensive suite of employment and training services across Okaloosa and Walton Counties, Florida. The organization operates through multiple interconnected service lines: Career Seeker Services (job search assistance, assessments, workshops, labor market information), Employer Services (recruitment, hiring events, pre-employment screening), Military Community Services (priority services for veterans, DoD SkillBridge, Get There Faster program), and Youth Programs (WorkforceNOW! for ages 16-24). Supporting these core offerings are specialized programs including WIOA Scholarships (up to $6,000 for training), On-the-Job Training with employer wage reimbursements, apprenticeships, SNAP E&T, Welfare Transition, and Ticket-to-Work. A Mobile Career Center extends reach to businesses and communities throughout the region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Career Seeker Services Comprehensive workforce development services for job seekers including career assessments, labor market information, job search assistance, employment readiness workshops, resume preparation, and job fair access. Available at no cost to unemployed and underemployed individuals in Okaloosa and Walton counties.
• Employer Services Workforce solutions for employers including free job posting through EmployFlorida, recruitment services, hiring events, pre-employment assessments, and access to training incentives and tax credits. Targets local businesses ranging from small employers to large defense contractors.
• Military Community Services Priority workforce services for veterans and military families including the Get There Faster program, DoD SkillBridge internships, TAP workshops, veteran-targeted job fairs, and scholarships up to $6,000 for training. Designed for veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses.
• WorkforceNOW! Youth Program Workforce development program for young adults ages 16-24 providing assessments, tutoring, GED assistance, paid internships, work readiness training, leadership development, and scholarship opportunities. Includes Summer Youth Career Exploration Program.
• WIOA Scholarship and Training Program Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act scholarships providing up to $6,000 for tuition, books, uniforms, and supplies for training in high-demand occupations, including on-the-job training and apprenticeships. Targeted at eligible individuals seeking occupational credentials.
• Mobile Career Center 40-foot diesel vehicle equipped with 12 computer stations, internet access, flat-screen televisions for training, outdoor canopy, sound system, and generator for self-sufficient power. Brings career services directly to businesses and communities throughout Okaloosa and Walton counties.
• Training Programs and Incentives Employer-focused workforce solutions including Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), Federal Bonding Program, On-the-Job Training with up to 50% wage reimbursement for six months, apprenticeships, Incumbent Worker Training, and Quick Response Training/FloridaFlex grants.
• SNAP Employment & Training Program for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) aged 18-54 (expanded to 55-59 as of 10/01/2024) to meet mandatory work requirements through job search, work experience, education, and vocational training.
• Ticket-to-Work Program Program connecting SSI/SSDI beneficiaries ages 18-64 with employment services to maximize earnings potential, including resume development, job search assistance, and referral to community resources. Includes Blind Services Program for visually impaired individuals.
• Welfare Transition Program Florida's welfare-to-work program providing Temporary Cash Assistance recipients with training, education, support services, and skills needed for unsubsidized employment, including childcare and transportation assistance.
• Pre-Employment Assessments Assessment tools including AMCAT Aspiring Minds (1,400+ validated assessments for various occupational skills), Traitify personality assessment, TABE Survey for Adult Basic Education Skills, and Florida Ready to Work credentialing. Used by employers for screening and by job seekers for career matching.

Quantifiable outcome

• All programs and services provided at no cost to job seekers and employers
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Emerald Coast Technical College (ECTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner providing training programs through the Eligible Training Provider List. MOU and IFA agreements in place. Located at the DeFuniak Springs center location. Offers technical and vocational training programs.
• Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner offering degree programs (AS, AA, vocational certificates) through WIOA Individual Training Accounts. MOU and IFA agreements established for workforce training coordination.
• Okaloosa Technical College (OTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical training programs for high school students and adults. Provides Performance-Based Diploma Program. MOU and IFA agreements in place for WIOA participant training.
• University of West Florida (UWF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher education partner offering bachelor's and graduate degree programs. Includes Haas Center for Business Research and SBDC for business assistance. Eligible training provider for WIOA scholarships.
• Eglin Air Force BasecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary military installation partner. Hosts career center location (Bldg. 251), TAP workshops, and DoD SkillBridge program. Provides priority services for transitioning service members and veterans. Supported by CareerSource Florida and local LWDB coordination.
• Hurlburt FieldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAir Force Special Operations Command base. TAP program partner, Family Support Center collaboration, and SkillBridge internship coordination. Priority workforce services for 7th Special Forces and associated units.
• Okaloosa County School DistrictsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerServes over 30,000 students. Youth workforce development partnerships, school-to-career initiatives, and Okaloosa Technical College collaboration.
• Walton County School DistrictsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerServes nearly 6,000 students. Career pathway development and youth workforce training partnerships.
• Florida Division of Blind ServicessecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU agreement for serving blind and visually impaired individuals. Blind Babies Program for children birth through five years. Referral and coordinated service delivery.
• Florida Division of Vocational RehabilitationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU and IFA agreements for coordinated services to individuals with disabilities seeking employment and training assistance.
• Northwest Florida Military Outreach Collaboration (Get There Faster)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional collaboration including CareerSource Escarosa, CareerSource Chipola, and CareerSource Gulf Coast covering 12 Northwest Florida counties. Provides unified employment and training services for veterans and military spouses.
• One Okaloosa Economic Development CouncilsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEconomic development partner for workforce planning, new business recruitment, and existing industry support in Okaloosa County.
• Walton County Economic Development Alliance (WCEDA)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic/private economic development organization providing resources for local and prospective businesses in Walton County.
• United Way of Okaloosa and Walton CountiessecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Call For Help information hotline located at the Fort Walton Beach center. Community-based organization partnership for human services coordination.
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical UniversitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerGaetz Aerospace Institute partnership with Choctawhatchee High School. Aviation career pathways and technical training collaboration.
• Area Chambers of Commerce (5)secondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnerships with Crestview, Destin, Greater Fort Walton Beach, Niceville-Valparaiso-Bay Area, and Walton Area Chambers for business outreach, employer recruitment, and workforce service promotion.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald CoastsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth development partner for Summer Youth Career Exploration Program and after-school program staff recruitment.
• Florida Department of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState workforce agency partner administering SNAP E&T program and overseeing LWDB performance.
• Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for Welfare Transition program and SNAP E&T. Determines TCA eligibility and exemptions for work requirements.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• LinkedIn: Professional networking platform with integrated job listings, recruiter tools, and veteran-transition resources. Increasingly used by transitioning service members at Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field as an alternative or complement to CareerSource Okaloosa Walton's placement services.
• Indeed: Leading global online job board and search platform. Functionally overlaps with CareerSource Okaloosa Walton's EmployFlorida job-listing and candidate-search capabilities, representing the primary private-sector substitute for the board's core placement service.

Broad incumbents

• CareerSource Florida: State-level parent organization of Florida's 21 LWDBs, including CareerSource Okaloosa Walton. Sets statewide policy, administers funding, and issues awards like the 2024 Workforce Development Excellence recognition received by the subject company.
• Robert Half International: Specialized staffing and placement firm focused on professional, finance, and technology roles. Comparable as a broad incumbent serving the same employer customer base (e.g., Lockheed Martin, Serco) with a fee-based rather than grant-funded model.
• Adecco Group: Global staffing firm offering placement, workforce solutions, and career transition services across multiple industries. Operates at much larger scale than CareerSource Okaloosa Walton but addresses overlapping employer and job-seeker segments.
• ManpowerGroup: Global staffing and workforce solutions provider operating across permanent placement, temporary staffing, and career transition services. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the employment services space where CareerSource Okaloosa Walton operates its free placement model.

Direct peers

• CareerSource Chipola: Regional LWDB serving Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties in Northwest Florida, also part of the Get There Faster collaboration. Operates identical one-stop career center and WIOA-funded programs with overlapping employer relationships.
• CareerSource Escarosa: Adjacent Local Workforce Development Board in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, part of the CareerSource Florida system and a co-member of the Northwest Florida Military Outreach Collaboration with CareerSource Okaloosa Walton. Operates the same WIOA-aligned service model and shares employer relationships in the Panhandle.
• CareerSource Gulf Coast: Regional LWDB covering Bay, Franklin, and Gulf counties, part of the same Northwest Florida Military Outreach Collaboration. Closely comparable in mission, funding structure, and service delivery model to CareerSource Okaloosa Walton.

Others

• Goodwill Industries International: Non-profit operator of workforce development and vocational rehabilitation programs for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Mission-adjacent comparator given CareerSource Okaloosa Walton's Ticket-to-Work, ABAWD, and Welfare Transition services.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/careersourceokaloosawalton
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/careersource-okaloosa-walton

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CareerSource Okaloosa Walton