Steps to Apply:

1. Click the blue button below labeled “Click to Apply,” which will open the flyer.
2. On the flyer, click any of the dealership logos that you will be applying to work at. This will take you to each dealership’s employment posting page. 
3. Apply to any or all of the participating dealerships by selecting the appropriate logos.

Sarasota, FL. (July 23, 2018): For those looking for an on-ramp to a career with upward mobility, CareerEdge Funders Collaborative has partnered with a consortium of eight local automotive dealerships to provide a fast-track pathway to becoming an automotive technician.  Given the shortage of mechanics, CareerEdge worked with Suncoast Technical College (STC) to create an “express program” in the evenings so that entry-level employees can receive both on-the-job as well as classroom training.

Participating employers include: Gettel Automotive, Sunset Auto Group, Peterson Toyota of Sarasota, Venice Honda, Wilde Automotive, Sarasota Mitsubishi, and Howard Lincoln and Mazda.  These organizations will hire individuals with no experience at $12 per hour for full or part-time trainee positions.  The new hires must then attend the mandatory, free 11-week automotive training program at STC’s Beneva Road campus on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., from August 21 to October 30.

“This is the third class of its kind CareerEdge has developed and is thrilled to have eight dealerships on board to offer individuals this rapid pathway to a career with strong wages and advancement opportunities,” says CareerEdge Executive Director Mireya Eavey.  “The automotive industry has really come together to solve the labor shortage with their willingness to invest in entry-level workers.”

Once participants complete the 11-week class, they will be paid $13 per hour full time with benefits and have the potential for additional industry certifications and growth at the dealerships.  Average wages for mechanics are between $40,000 and $50,000, with some earning upwards of six figures.

The training, which is funded by Gulf Coast Community Foundation donor Walt Eppard, is a revised version of the college’s year-long program and includes CareerEdge’s Bridges to Careers soft skills training, as well as financial education class.

No experience is required for this training and all interested applicants should apply directly to any or all of the participating dealerships using their online employment portals.  These organizations will screen and choose their new hires and then approve them for the funded evening class. All inquiries should be made directly to these employers.

SARASOTA, FL (July 17, 2018) – The CareerEdge Funders Collaborative is putting up a “help wanted” sign for local insurance companies: Help us identify the jobs and skills you need to grow your organization.

“A shortage of talent is one of the biggest impediments to growth in the insurance industry. We face a significant skills gap and are preparing to meet this business need. Deliberate action must be taken to recruit, retain and develop employees who can successfully execute against an organization’s strategy and vision. Insurers, like FCCI, are ready to tackle this challenge. A skills gap study will highlight the insurance industry’s talent demands so our region and its workforce can thrive,” said Lisa Krouse, Board member, EVP, Chief HR and Communications Officer at FCCI

The Insurance Skills Gap Study will contain data retrieved from employer roundtables and telephone interviews with local insurance industry leaders.  Training resources available in the region will be compared to the feedback and needs that employers mention in these interviews. The goal is to identify whether training currently exists and, if not, what must be changed or added by training partners to help insurance companies fill the skill gap, hire employees, and grow their companies. The survey is being conducted by Stephanie Kempton of Kempton Research and Planning.

“In 2012 CareerEdge spearheaded a similar skills gap study for the manufacturing industry and it dramatically altered how our community understood the needs of those employers.  We now see that same potential in the insurance industry which, in the aggregate, produces a significant number of local jobs.  This new study will be the perfect stepping stone to support those employers by better understanding their needs,” explains Kevin Cooper, CEO and President of The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.

CareerEdge Funders Collaborative joined The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce earlier this year to expand workforce development initiatives like this to more industries.

CareerEdge Needs Assistance from Employers:

Commitment and participation from local employers during the research phase of this project is crucial and can lead to eye opening results.  CareerEdge requests that local organizations who are interested in joining this discussion should contact, Lauren Meyer, CareerEdge Program Coordinator, LMeyer@SarasotaChamber.com for further information.

Skill gaps are prevalent across the nation, and CNBC launched a new exclusive called America’s Top States for Business to study and examine workforce challenges in all 50 states.  One portion of the study shares details on the Top 10 States and who is “Winning the War on Talent”.  The top ten were calculated by comparing the number of available workers, which states are doing the best to attract them, available education, “Right to Work” laws and more.  Read more about the study here.

After four years of offering leadership training in the healthcare sector, CareerEdge learned from manufacturing employers that they too were struggling with promotions and the development of quality leadership.  This discussion led to the launch of a new Emerging Leadership Training program for manufacturing companies. The program is helping employees in new leadership roles learn the soft skills needed to succeed, and was delivered by trainer Lori Ann Roth, the president of Learning and Reflective Growth for Individuals and Teams. 

Read More

Business Observer

SRQ Magazine

Sarasota Magazine

Press Release

CareerEdge released its 2017 impact report which showcased program successes, innovative training strategies and the evolution of CareerEdge work.

See some of the 2017 accomplishments in the Summary of Impact below or view the entire report.  

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SRQ Magazine

SRQ Daily April 25, 2018

Press Release