What is ConnectOPP? 

ConnectOPP is the opportunity platform for Pasco County connection opportunities and experiences, designed exclusively for building robust talent pipelines, exploring careers, and cultivating sought-after skills in Pasco. This easy-to-use tool serves as a conduit between Pasco County employers and jobseekers, in which employers can play a pivotal role in helping individuals discover their career interests, acquainting them with available job prospects, and guiding them towards acquiring the necessary skills to achieve their desired career paths. 

We identify any company or organization that posts opportunities as "posting organizations" or "posters." We identify any person who expresses interests to opportunities as "applicants". 

What can be posted on ConnectOPP? 

Any non-job opportunity that contributes to career exploration in Pasco County can be posted. These postings on ConnectOPP can be called "opportunities" or "experiences". Examples include internships, apprenticeships, request for career day speakers, mentorships, workplace tours, job fairs, in-person or virtual courses, information sessions, volunteer work, and more. Opportunities posted to ConnectOPP can be paid or unpaid, but must be non-job opportunities; an opportunity that may lead to a job offer is permitted, such as an apprenticeship that leads to a job offer after completion. 

Essentially, anything can be posted except for paid jobs. If you would like to promote jobs at your company, it can be listed on our Find Your Place in Pasco County mapping tool, instead. We feature companies that are engaged with WorkforceCONNECT and/or committed to on-the-job training or upskilling for new hires. 

Who should make an account on ConnectOPP? 

Only Pasco County employers and organizations that will be posting opportunities should make an account on ConnectOPP. Pasco County employers and organizations that may find interest in this feature include any sized businesses, government organizations, nonprofits, and more. This tool makes it easy to connect with the talent community, and therefore strengthening talent pipelines to your business and overall quality of available talent. We strongly suggest that each employer or organization makes only one account that is managed by one person at the company or is shared with multiple people in the company.

Do opportunity applicants need to make an account to apply for opportunities? 

No, opportunity applicants can apply to opportunities directly from the portal by clicking on an opportunity, selecting "Opportunity Interest Sign-up," completing the required fields, and clicking "Submit." Because of this, there is no need for applicants to make an account. 

I posted an opportunity, but it did not show up on the portal. What do I do? 

It takes approximately one business day for your posting to be approved by our system and appear publicly. If your posting did not appear after one business day, please email Sarah Alway. If your posting cannot be approved, we will reach out to you, offer an explanation, and suggest ways to fix it. More than likely, any postings that are not approved are because the posting was either a duplicate or was for a job opportunity. Job postings are not permitted on ConnectOPP. 

How can I message the opportunity poster directly? 

If you want to express interest to an opportunity posted on ConnectOPP, please click on the posting box and click "Opportunity Interest Sign-up." The poster will receive your information and reach out to you for next steps. In some cases, the poster may have added a link to a form or webpage of their own where you can directly contact someone or signup for the opportunity. 

Must I be a jobseeker to apply to opportunities?

Not necessarily, but the primary goal is to provide ways for jobseekers (or others in the talent community - such as students, lifelong learners, and career changers) to connect with employers and gain new skills or undergo a career exploration experience. Employers and organizations post opportunities, and they will define the audience for that specific opportunity.

Some employers may identify an opportunity as for high school students only, for example. Or, a poster may even post a request for career day speakers, which would likely request for business professionals to apply. It is important to read the posting in full before expressing interest. 

Does my organization need to be in Pasco County to post an opportunity? 

Your organization must have a presence in Pasco County, FL to be permitted to post an opportunity. Poster accounts will be reviewed and verified. 

What do the "Industry" categories mean on the search function? Are those the only types of opportunities available? 

To make searching for opportunities in specific, high-wage industries easier, posters can choose to include the type of industry that their opportunity pertains to. Sometimes, the opportunity may reach across several industries. 

Pasco EDC recognizes six primary industry clusters that help power our region: advanced manufacturing; aerospace, aviation, & defense; business & professional services; high technology; life sciences & medical technology; and logistics & distribution. Each contributes to a leading business climate in Florida that allows companies and people to do great work and make products that improve lives. These six industries are category options that ConnectOPP users may be interested in filtering for. To include all types of industries, other filters are also available, such as "Skilled Trades," "Other," and "All Industries."