The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Hires Vice President
to Lead Chamber’s Workforce and Economic Development Initiatives

SARASOTA, Fla. (July 29, 2022) — The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Dan Sidler has been selected to the position of Vice President CareerEdge and Economic Development.  In this role he is responsible for leading workforce initiatives of the Sarasota Chamber. This position oversees strategy, programs, communications, funding, budget, grant reporting, community partners and special projects. This position will also oversee the Chamber programs CareerEdge, Leadership Sarasota, Opportunities for All (OFA), and our Young Professionals Group, and will encompass policy/advocacy work.

Most recently, Dan served as Vice President for the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance. In this role, Dan led the team’s planning and delivery of the Alliance’s 75+ annual events, educational programs, and special projects, including the annual Alliance Gives Back Volunteer Days and the organization’s yearly leadership development program, The Executive Academy. He first joined the LWRBA in 2014 as Communications & Marketing Manager and was promoted to Vice President in 2020. Dan was the recipient of the 2021 Chairman’s Award, honoring his defining contributions to the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance.

Prior to his time at the LWBRA, Dan spent three years at the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, where he first joined as a marketing intern during his final year of college. Dan holds a B.S. degree in Marketing from the University of South Florida.

Born and raised in Zürich, Switzerland, Dan has called Sarasota his home since 1999. In his free time, he enjoys time with friends and family and loves the outdoors, particularly playing his favorite hobby, disc golf.

“Workforce issues continue to be at the forefront of employer needs. We could not be more thrilled to have Dan on the Chamber team to champion the CareerEdge program and oversee the Chamber programs of Opportunities For All, Leadership Sarasota, and the Young Professionals Group. I am confident that Dan’s impressive background and experience will build upon the 11+ years of life changing work that has been accomplished through CareerEdge,” Heather Kasten, President/CEO.

For more information or to learn more about the CareerEdge initiative, please reach out to dsidler@sarasotachamber.com

Regions Foundation Funds $30,000 to CareerEdge to Support Local Workforce Development

Sarasota, FL – (June 15, 2022) – The Regions Foundation, a nonprofit organization funded primarily by Regions Bank, awarded $30,000 to workforce development efforts led by the Sarasota Chamber’s CareerEdge Funders Collaborative. Specifically, the grant from the Regions Foundation will support the Bridges to Careers initiative.

Bridges to Careers is a signature training program of CareerEdge that enhances the skills and earning capacities of people in our community by providing them with an opportunity to obtain necessary training and credentialing to enter the workforce successfully. Often this training takes place using a “fast-track” approach, upskilling the participants in a compressed timeframe while effectively preparing them to deliver the skills employers need in today’s job market. This program also includes CareerEdge’s Life & Career skills training and resume assistance services.

In 2021, CareerEdge’s Bridges to Careers initiative offered essential training in the targeted industries of healthcare, manufacturing, automotive, and skilled trades. Ninety-six people graduated from one or more of these programs – 50% of them were non-white/BIPOC and 25% were unemployed prior to the training.

“Workforce development programs open up new opportunities and empower people to build a successful future, and that is why the Regions Foundation is honored to support the Bridges to Careers initiative,” said Marta Self, executive director of the Regions Foundation. “Often the difference between those who succeed, and those who do not, is whether they had access to the right opportunities. Hands down, the Bridges to Careers program is life-changing for its participants, and we appreciate the Sarasota Chamber for making this program available to people across the Suncoast.”

“We are so grateful for the Regions Foundation funding to support our Bridges to Careers program,” said vice president of CareerEdge, Kristi Hoskinson. “The funding helps many individuals in our community seeking to begin a career and improve their earnings to support themselves and their families. The post-training opportunities are life-changing,” she adds.

The Regions Foundation and Regions Bank both prioritize workforce development initiatives as part of their strategy for community engagement. That strategy is rooted in the concept of creating more inclusive prosperity. By supporting initiatives that help people secure well-paying jobs, as well as initiatives that contribute to economic and community development, both the Regions Foundation and Regions Bank are able to make a measurable difference in the communities they serve.

“Regions Bank has a long-standing and collaborative relationship with the Sarasota Chamber, and we appreciate our colleagues at the Regions Foundation for providing generous funding in support of the Chamber’s efforts to build more inclusive prosperity through workforce readiness,” said Earnest Wilks, Sarasota market executive for Regions Bank. “Our goal is to see all people of Sarasota thrive. That’s why we applaud programs like CareerEdge that empower people with the tools they need to succeed.”

CareerEdge’s Workforce Efforts Result in $3.8 million Economic Impact

Sarasota-Bradenton, Fla. (April 13, 2022) – CareerEdge Funders Collaborative, the workforce development program of the Sarasota Chamber, made a $3.8 million economic impact in the local region in 2021. Its 2021 Evaluation Report details the results of its programs with cumulative data demonstrating its impact in local workforce over 11 years. Demographics by age, gender, and ethnicity, certifications earned, and increases in annual wages round out this highly informative and detailed report.

CareerEdge’s goals are to help low-skill and low-wage earners advance in their careers. It strives to reach the underserved and underemployed by providing funding for training and resources for career placement. In 2021, CareerEdge’s Bridges to Careers programs offered training in its targeted industries: healthcare, manufacturing, automotive, and skilled trades. Ninety-six people graduated from one or more of its programs – 50% of them were non-white/BIPOC and 25% were unemployed prior to the training. All participants averaged an increased hourly wage of $3.79 per hour post-training.

CareerEdge offers funding to employers for upskilling workers and wage reimbursement for on-the-job training and internships. The 2021 Upskilling Workers grant funding reached 398 workers across 403 trainings. These workers earned a total of 369 industry-recognized certifications and increased their hourly wages by 11.4% post-training. The wage increase equates to an additional $4,888 in earned income per worker in 2021, totaling an annual earnings gain of $1,945,424 across the local workforce.

“Investing in workforce results in tangible economic improvements and helps change the trajectory of many people’s lives,” says Kristi Hoskinson, vice president of CareerEdge. “CareerEdge is poised to tackle the workforce challenges employers are facing through its strategic collaboration with employers, educators, government, and community stakeholders. It is positioned well to meet the demands of today’s workforce thanks to the ongoing, generous financial support our multiple funders,” she adds.

CareerEdge will continue to bring creative solutions in 2022 and collaborate with community partners to develop local workforce in an effective and meaningful way.

Winning the War on Insurance Talent Begins With a Quality Internship Experience

SARASOTA, Fla. (February 8, 2021) — CareerEdge Funders Collaborative, the workforce development program of the Sarasota Chamber, is hosting its Insurance Council meeting with key industry stakeholders to discuss the current and future state of insurance internships. The meeting will take place at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee’s Selby Auditorium at 9:00 am on Thursday, February 10. Media is welcome to participate.

The meeting will convene educators and insurance professionals to discuss how to create a successful internship experience in insurance. Examples of effective internship experiences will be shared, challenges and solutions will be discussed, and best practices exchanged. A handful of USF Sarasota-Manatee’s Risk Management and Insurance students will be participating to provide their input on insurance internships.

As with many industries, there is a talent crisis in insurance, specifically in our local market. Beginning with the student internship experience, risk management and insurance companies understand that creating a great first impression about the industry is key to planting seeds for future insurance professionals. When done well, students will leave the internship experience with a better understanding of the career-pathing and earning potential associated with an insurance career, along with feeling inspired to work locally with an insurance organization.

“Insurance companies that seek out and develop interns will win the war on talent,” says Kristi Hoskinson, vice president of CareerEdge. “An internship experience in insurance exposes the student to a very fulfilling career. It also helps them understand the digitally advanced and exciting work that exists today in insurance. CareerEdge is excited to support the industry in helping develop best internship practices.”

“Building relationships with young students and serving them well is how we will elevate the RMI industry brand and attract the talent that our industry needs,” says Dr. Steve Miller, Director of the School of Risk Management and Insurance at the University of South Florida. “Internships make an enormous impact on a students’ lives as they navigate a path to launching a career. I want to thank the RMI community for engaging and supporting our students. Together, we will attract and develop the future leaders of our industry.”

The Campaign for Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Funds $100,000 to Support Construction Skills Training in the Newtown Community

SARASOTA, Fla. (January 13, 2021) — CareerEdge Funders Collaborative, the workforce development program of The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, is gearing up to launch a first-ever core construction skills training program in the Newtown community thanks to $100,000 in funding assistance provided by Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

CareerEdge will use the funding to train approximately 40 Sarasota city and county residents over two years to earn industry-recognized credentials, as well as provide them life and career skills training and financial education. Upon completion of CareerEdge’s 80-hour “Bridges to Careers” course, the participants will be considered for job opportunities by the local subcontractors working on Selby Gardens’ Master Plan project.

The training and job-placement initiative is made possible through the fundraising campaign for Selby Gardens’ Master Plan and the many donors who have contributed to it.

“We are so excited about the investment Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is making in workforce, specifically in our local community,” said Kristi Hoskinson, vice president of CareerEdge. “Their generous funding will help train underserved individuals in key skills so they can find employment in construction-focused careers. We are confident this will lead to long-term career stability and enhanced earning potential for the individuals who complete the training.”

Jennifer Rominiecki, president and CEO of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, said, “Our Master Plan is all about sustainability, and this workforce partnership will give community members the skills and access to enter a career pathway with family-sustaining wages. We know our project will create many jobs and drive economic impact, and we want to prioritize those opportunities locally. The generous donors who have contributed to our campaign are investing in the future of their neighbors as well as the future of Selby Gardens.”

The funding also opens doors to additional partnerships in the community, according to CareerEdge. The training will take place at Goodwill Manasota’s Selby Newtown location, for example, and the Goodwill team will assist with recruiting participants for the training programs and support the job-placement process. CareerEdge has selected Technical Education Council (TEC) to be the local training provider, focusing on curriculum designed by the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER). NCCER is recognized by the construction industry as the leader in training, assessment, certification, and career development.

CareerEdge is hosting an informational session on Tuesday, January 25, at 5:30 p.m. at the Goodwill Manasota Selby Newtown center for anyone who would like to learn more about this unique training program. Online applications are now open for the first training cohort, which begins March 1 and runs through May 5. Classes are instructed in-person from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.