Released: March 28, 2017

Sarasota, FL.: CareerEdge Funders Collaborative will be joining forces for the second year with Charlotte Technical College (CTC) to expand its Bridges to Careers soft skills training program for students at the college. With funding from Gulf Coast Community Foundation, CareerEdge is assisting CTC in the development of employability curriculum to help low-income and under-employed individuals achieve an industry-recognized credential. The program targets female students in particular. The grant is made possible by the Miriam P. Raines Charitable Fund, an endowment at Gulf Coast to help women in Charlotte County educate themselves to further their life skills.
Bridges to Careers is a training program created by CareerEdge in response to employer feedback which revealed that, even though employees had the required technical skills, they often lacked the important “soft skills” to accompany them. The program follows a career-preparedness model, with modules in communication, customer service, maintaining a positive attitude, teamwork, and overall professionalism. It also addresses job readiness with training in résumé writing and networking.
All Charlotte Technical College students will have access to career awareness, career exploration, and career placement assistance at the CTC Career Lab with a Transitions Counselor. These programs also will be implemented at the CTC Adult Learning Center to assist non-English speaking students and those working toward a GED or diploma.
“Students come out of school prepared with the proper skills to get and maintain a job, and employers are pleased with the technical and soft skills that graduates enter their organizations with,” explains CareerEdge Funders Collaborative Executive Director Mireya Eavey.
The CTC Bridges to Careers program will feature some new initiatives for the 2017-18 school year. There will be a volunteer tutor and mentorship program available to students, and dual-enrolled high school students can elect to participate in the program. Bridges training is now incorporated within all certifications rather than just stand-alone cohorts and is woven into the CTC strategic plan.
According to CTC, the college’s Technical Advisory Committees, which comprise local employers for each program of instruction, have expressed their support for the Bridges program. They recognize that it helps to fill the need for more “soft skills” or “employability skills” training for entry-level employees.
“We want them to come out ready to work and highly employable with all of their skills ready to go,” says Deelynn Bennett, Director of Charlotte Technical College. “The Bridges program is ideal in terms of advancing the career-ready practices that all CTC students are expected to learn as they progress through their programs.”

About CareerEdge Funders Collaborative
CareerEdge is an innovative partnership of business, government, and philanthropic organizations that leverages public and private dollars to provide opportunities for better jobs and wages in Manatee and Sarasota counties. The first regional collaborative of workforce investors in the southeastern United States to be designated as a site of the National Fund for Workforce Solutions, CareerEdge was created with funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, City of Bradenton Central Community Redevelopment Agency, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Bank of America, Bradenton 14th Street Community Redevelopment Agency, Bradenton Downtown Development Authority, and Manatee Community Action Agency. It is also supported by contributions from the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation, Microsoft, Sarasota County Government, Jane’s Trust, JP Morgan Chase, Scheidel Foundation and United Way Suncoast . For more information about CareerEdge and its partners, please visit www.careeredgefunders.org or call 941.328.6985

About Gulf Coast Community Foundation

Together with its donors, Gulf Coast Community Foundation transforms our region through bold and proactive philanthropy. Gulf Coast is a public charity that was created in 1995 through the sale of the Venice Hospital. Since then, we have become the philanthropic home of more than 650 families who have established charitable funds here, and we have invested over $240 million in grants in the areas of health and human services, civic and economic development, education, arts and culture, and the environment. Learn more at GulfCoastCF.org.

Release: February 13, 2017

CareerEdge Funders Collaborative, a workforce development  non-profit and United Way Suncoast partner, is working to get more people access to higher education funding. Program Director Deborah Chapman recently traveled to D.C. to meet with Florida’s congressional legislators as part of the National Skills Coalition. The Coalition is made up of U.S. workforce development organizations and is focused on supporting middle skills jobs in high growth industries. These include those requiring more than a high school diploma but less than a 4-year degree. Chapman met with staff from Senator Rubio and Senator Nelson’s offices, as well as those of 11 House members, including local District Representatives Vern Buchanan, Charlie Crist, Gus Bilirakis and Kathy Castor.

CareerEdge’s key advocacy focus is on expanding Pell Grant eligibility to include short-term certifications in high demand programs.  Currently, federal Pell Grants provide college students needs-based funding for certification and degree programs that are at least 600 instructional hours, or a minimum of 15 weeks in length.

“Industry-recognized credentials in shorter-term programs are not eligible, yet some of these occupations are at critical shortage levels, “explains Chapman.

One example of a short-term program is Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA’s) which are in high demand locally by hospitals, healthcare facilities and home health agencies with wages also on the rise.  Job seekers are eager to earn these credentials; however, the education costs are often prohibitive. CareerEdge has funded several cohorts of CNA students over the last year, including a recent Red Cross-trained class at Booker Middle School in Sarasota County, and a group at the United Way Suncoast Sulphur Springs Resource Center in Tampa.  At a recent planning meeting, Booker Middle School Resource Center Associate, Leroy Butler, reported that he has a waitlist of 70 interested people for the spring program which can only accommodate 12 students.

Other examples of short term programs include those in IT, construction trades and automotive maintenance and repair fields, as well as commercial drivers license (CDL) truck driver training. Providing needs-based support for these types of certifications can open a pathway out of poverty for many individuals.

Currently, both the federal House of Representatives and Senate have bipartisan proposals being developed for reauthorizing the Higher Education Act with language to expand Pell Grant funding for these skills-based training programs.  The Senate’s version, known as the JOBS Act, would help to cover rigorous short-term job training programs so workers can afford the skills training and credentials that are in high-demand in today’s job market.

CareerEdge is working with lawmakers to ensure that they have the necessary data and field stories to make informed decisions about workforce policies, such as Pell expansion, which can drive economic prosperity for our region.

“As a leader in building demand-driven workforce systems, CareerEdge continues to advocate for policies that support both opportunities for individuals to earn livable wages in career-laddering occupations, while also providing employers in high growth sectors with the skills they need”, said Chapman.

Released: May 10, 2017

Sarasota, FL – On Monday, May 15th, newly pinned nursing assistants will cross the graduation stage and will be one step closer to fulfilling their dreams of becoming Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA). The class of 11 will be the second cohort to graduate from the United Way Suncoast Booker Middle School Resource Center’s CNA program.
The program was implemented to assist families in becoming financially stable and self sufficient, create access to career-laddering opportunities and begin a new chapter in their lives. Upon this graduation, 23 individuals will have successfully completed the rigorous seven week program that is facilitated by the American Red Cross.
“These students are receiving more than just CNA training. The graduates will walk away with the confidence and the soft skills they need to enter a nursing assistant position and build a stable foundation for their future,” stated Mireya Eavey, Executive Director of CareerEdge and Sarasota Area President for United Way Suncoast.
The CNA training is funded via a partnership between CareerEdge Funders Collaborative, a workforce development non-profit, and United Way Suncoast. The innovative funding pays for tuition and the state license exam that students must take upon conclusion of the program. CareerEdge also provided the Bridges to Careers soft skills training, with modules including communication, team work, interviewing and professionalism in the workplace. United Way Suncoast provides additional services at the Booker Middle School Resource Center, such as: financial coaching, legal advice workshops and mentorship programs.
“Booker Middle is pleased to be a part of this innovative partnership. Opportunities such as this play an important role in the lives of our students and parents. We are fortunate to have organizations like CareerEdge and United Way Suncoast participate and bring insight and enthusiasm to this initiative,” states Dr. LaShawn Frost, Principal of Booker Middle School.

The CNA program has given new hope to one student in particular, Shimara Gary. Before joining the class, she was a dietary aid and was searching for her next career path. When she learned of the tuition free CNA program at the Resource Center, she realized that this might be what she needed to move forward in her medical career. This was the perfect opportunity for her to better her life and show her children that anything is possible when you put your mind to it. “The program has been beneficial to my family and me in that it provided the opportunity to better my life. I am excited to use this experience as a stepping stone toward my goal of becoming a registered nurse.”
Also being offered on graduation day, CareerEdge has organized a job fair with local healthcare employers to connect the students with potential CNA job opportunities. Program graduates will have the opportunity to be hired at hospitals, home health agencies and at skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. The high demand for CNA’s in the Sarasota area offers great promise to these graduates with the potential to earn approximately $10 to $15 per hour.
The graduation and CNA job fair will be held on May 15, 2017 at the Booker Middle School Cafeteria, 2250 Myrtle Street Sarasota FL. 34234. The job fair will begin at 4:00 pm, with the graduation ceremony following from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Family and friends of the graduates, as well as community members, are welcome to attend. If local healthcare employers are interested in attending the job fair, please call (941)328-6983. Join us in congratulating these new CNA’s in our community.

About CareerEdge
CareerEdge is an innovative partnership of business, government, and philanthropic organizations that leverages public and private dollars to provide opportunities for better jobs and wages in Manatee, Sarasota, and Charlotte counties. The first regional collaborative of workforce investors in the southeastern United States to be designated as a site of the National Fund for Workforce Solutions, CareerEdge was created with funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, City of Bradenton Central Community Redevelopment Agency, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Bank of America, Bradenton 14th Street Community Redevelopment Agency, Bradenton Downtown Development Authority, and Manatee Community Action Agency. It is also supported by contributions from the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation, Microsoft, Sarasota County Government, Jane’s Trust, JP Morgan Chase, Scheidel Foundation and United Way Suncoast. For more information about CareerEdge and its partners, please visit www.careeredgefunders.org or call 941.328.6985.
About United Way Suncoast
United Way Suncoast staff, volunteers and trusted community partners connect people, create change, and impact lives in DeSoto, Hillsborough, Pinellas and Sarasota counties by developing, enhancing and implementing services and programs to help create a stronger, more vibrant community. United Way Suncoast fights for the education and financial stability of every person in the community through educational programs that give children the skills to succeed and help adults achieve long-term financial stability, as well as provide support services to those who need it most. To find Suncoast-area volunteer opportunities, visit www.volunteersuncoast.org. For more information, please call 941.366.2686 (Sarasota office) or 813.274.0933 (Tampa office), or visit www.unitedwaysuncoast.org.

Released: March 24, 2017

Sarasota Fl.: CareerEdge Funders Collaborative, a local workforce development non-profit, will host an informational internship roundtable for local employers and educators on Tuesday, April 11th from 8:00AM-9:30AM at its United Way Suncoast office at 1800 2nd St. Suite 102, Sarasota Fl. 34236.

Employers will have an opportunity to learn about CareerEdge’s Internship Reimbursement Program, made possible through a grant from the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation, which provides employers with up to $1,500 per intern if they are paid a minimum of $10/hour. The program, which targets high growth sectors such as Manufacturing, Healthcare, IT, Financial Services, Transportation, and the Construction Trades, incents employers to provide experiential learning to students in order to help develop local talent and support their workforce needs.

Participants will learn how to implement an intern program within their organizations through peer sharing by an employer panel made up of FCCI, Sun Hydraulics and SouthTech who will share internship process and structure suggestions, as well as lessons learned in their programs. Local college representative also will be present to provide information on how to connect with potential interns.

To learn more or register for the Roundtable, please contact Lauren Meyer at 941-328-6984 or LMeyer@uwsuncoast.org.
About CareerEdge Funders Collaborative
CareerEdge is an innovative partnership of business, government, and philanthropic organizations that leverages public and private dollars to provide opportunities for better jobs and wages in Manatee and Sarasota counties. The first regional collaborative of workforce investors in the southeastern United States to be designated as a site of the National Fund for Workforce Solutions, CareerEdge was created with funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, City of Bradenton Central Community Redevelopment Agency, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Bank of America, Bradenton 14th Street Community Redevelopment Agency, Bradenton Downtown Development Authority, and Manatee Community Action Agency. It is also supported by contributions from the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation, Microsoft, Sarasota County Government, Jane’s Trust, JP Morgan Chase, Scheidel Foundation and United Way Suncoast . For more information about CareerEdge and its partners, please visit www.careeredgefunders.org or call 941.328.6985

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