Sarasota-Manatee job growth outpaces US

Florida is creating one of every 10 new jobs in nation, economist says. Parrish spoke to members of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce at a “Where are the jobs?” session at the Carlisle Inn. Also speaking, remotely from California, was Chris Benner, professor of environmental studies and sociology at the University of California, was Chris Benner, Professor of environmental studies and sociology at the University of Caolifornia, Santa Cruz. One of of every 10 new jobs created in the U.S. are coming from Florida. Read Article

CareerEdge and the Chamber working hard to help businesses

https://www.heraldtribune.com/business/20200127/uniting-sarasota-business-community-in-2020s

Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Heads to DC to Present Business Owners’ Priorities for Workforce

Mireya Eavey of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and Jennifer Behrens of the Atlantic Mold and Machining Corp trekked their way North this week, to present the collective concerns of local business owners, nonprofit founders, and other representatives of Sarasota’s managerial class regarding what they see as long developing cracks in our community’s workforce. Read more

Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce addresses desperate need for insurance employees

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – There’s a desperate need for new insurance employees in the Sarasota area, according to the Chamber of Commerce.

Longtime insurance workers say their workforce is aging and it’s hard to fight a misconception that insurance is all about sales.

CareerEdge, the workforce development initiative of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, uses donations to provide training to employees in certain fields. Their mission is to give those employees the skills they need to be promoted.

Staff said this training encourages upward mobility within companies and their new goal is to help with a dire need in Sarasota – finding new people who want to work in insurance. Read More

CareerEdge Newtown HVAC ABC7 Interview

ABC7 Interview on the Newtown HVAC Training Program

College Explorations Program

CareerEdge and the Education Foundation of Sarasota County partnered in the 2017/18 school year to provide local college campus visits for Sarasota County 7th graders as part of the Talent4Tomorrow Partnership.  The tours were designed to help increase post-secondary aspirations, and to raise awareness about the many resources available to students. The visits included guided tours and activities which allowed the students to get a taste for life in college and the importance of earning a higher education credential.

https://youtu.be/CIEjVMpPanY

The Value of Internships

CareerEdge recently had the opportunity to talk with 4 interns from the Internship Reimbursement Program.  CareerEdge received tours of the organizations where the college students worked throughout the summer, and spoke with them about their experiences.  The young professionals expressed their appreciation for having a job that not only helped to support them financially, but also gave them an opportunity to grow professionally. Learn more about these interns in the CareerEdge “Value of Internships” video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUf4_TTCD8Y

What Does Tax Reform Mean for Low- and Moderate-Income Workers?

Mireya Eavey, Executive Director of CareerEdge and Sarasota Area President of United Way Suncoast, was a part of a panel for the Aspen Institute.  The group discussed tax reform and the impact it has on low-income workers.  CareerEdge works to help up skill low wage workers to high-demand/career-laddering positions. Tax reform plays a large role in the lives of the people CareerEdge hopes to impact.  Take a look at the entire panel discussion below.

https://youtu.be/A83GR0I-sVk

Bridges to Careers & Charlotte Technical College

Bridges to Careers has played a remarkable role in the education of students at Charlotte Technical College (CTC).  Through soft skills training, such as: communication, resume writing, interviewing, professionalism, mentoring and tutoring, students have been graduating from CTC with exceptional skills to start their career with.  Employers applaud the addition of Bridges to Careers in the course work of all the technical college’s curriculum and are eager to work with these technically proficient and professional students.  Some of the students also have a mentor/tutor through the program.  Since the programs implementation, many students have been able to pass their entrance and exit exams for their programs because of the support of their tutors.