In June 2018, Sarasota County’s Precision Machining Program at Suncoast Technical College completed its fifth program year by graduating 13 new machinists. The occasion was marked with a celebration as those graduates brought the program’s five-year total to 102 skilled workers having been trained locally.

These results are attributable to the trailblazing efforts made by CareerEdge Funders Collaborative and its partners to start this forward-thinking initiative in 2013. Sarasota County Government and the Sarasota County School District agreed to support the concept and established a goal to graduate 100 individuals from the program by the fifth year. Funding for the program’s equipment, which totaled $325,000, was provided by Sarasota County Government and CareerEdge supported the establishment of the program with $25,000 and additional funding for internships. In August 2013, the first Precision Machining program began at Suncoast Technical College and the newest class will start on August 13, 2018 with 18 machinists

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Sarasota Business Observer

Sarasota Herald Tribune

Sarasota Magazine

SRQ Magazine

SRQ Magazine Saturday Perspective

Suncoast Technical College Precision Machining Blog

Press Release

The National Fund for Workforce Solution recently debuted a new #LIAW blog to showcase local investments at work.  The blog’s aim is to showcase collaborative members, and their work, across the nation.

CareerEdge had the opportunity to guest blog and share information on recent training and employer partnership strategies.  Read the blog here for more information.

With an upcoming move to the Chamber, CareerEdge Funders Executive Director and Greater Sarasota Chamber Chief Workforce Strategist Mireya Eavey talked with SRQ Magazine to explain the exciting plans for workforce development in our region. Eavey addresses some of the new challenges, impact and future work the can be expected from CareerEdge with its move to the Chamber in June 2018.

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SRQ Magazine

 

With a growing need for skilled nurses in our region, University of South Florida has announced the addition of a nursing degree program at the Sarasota-Manatee campus of the college.  Students accepted into the program will participate in a pre-nursing curriculum for the first two years of their education. Then, graduates of that program will complete their baccalaureate nursing degree at either the Tampa or Sarasota-Manatee campuses. Students will also gain connections with local Sarasota-Manatee healthcare employers during their time at the University.

 

Read more about the announcement here.

The Summit, hosted by Bank On, was the first event open to the public to increase awareness of un- and underbanked related issues and to initiate collective conversations and efforts to advance financial inclusion in our community. The keynote speaker Anthony Barrows, Managing Director at Ideas42 based in NYC, shared Ideas42’s findings on behavioral economics and the decision-making of individuals living in poverty and the scarcity mindset. To read more about the event in the Sarasota Herald Tribune, click here.