CareerEdge Partners with Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation to Strengthen Local Workforce Development Initiative

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CareerEdge Partners with Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation to Strengthen Local Workforce Development Initiative

Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida (September 5, 2023) – CareerEdge, the workforce development initiative led by the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, has been awarded a significant grant from Barancik Foundation. This grant will assist unemployed and underemployed individuals unable to adequately earn livable wages to support themselves and their families because of a lack of skills or credentials needed to launch their careers.

The grant will be strategically channeled toward implementing demand-driven strategies that align with the evolving needs of the job market. CareerEdge plans to leverage these resources to enhance the Fast-Track training programs, on-the-job training initiatives, internship reimbursement programs, and employer-driven upskilling endeavors. This support will significantly enhance CareerEdge’s ability to empower individuals with relevant skills and ensure they are well-prepared to excel in their careers, ultimately fostering economic growth within the community.

“We know that one of the keys to strive for a successful and happy life in our region is a good job with potential for advancement,” said Teri A Hansen, CEO of Barancik Foundation. “CareerEdge helps lift the skill sets of our neighbors to boost their pay and provide them with opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise, and we are grateful for this program.”

Since its inception in 2010, CareerEdge and its employer partners have invested $15.7 million, providing trainings for 7,194 workers, resulting in 1,548 promotions, 4,775 raises, and $38.2 million in workers’ aggregate annual earnings. In 2022 alone, CareerEdge has invested $1.1 million in workforce development, $3 million in added wages, trained 501 workers, created 93 new jobs, provided 170 new employment opportunities, and 671 new certifications were earned.

“This investment in CareerEdge’s programs is critical in supporting our team’s efforts to close skills gaps in our region, providing individuals with an opportunity to gain sought-after skills that will set them on a path with greater upward career trajectory and earning potential,” said Dan Sidler, Vice President of CareerEdge & Economic Development. “We are honored and grateful to continue our longstanding funding partnership with Barancik Foundation.”