The impact CareerEdge continues to make is resounding in 2020, for every dollar invested in workforce development the return on investment is $4.72. Last year CareerEdge and its employer partners invested $1.25 million in workforce funding resulting in $2 million in economic impact for the community from new wages and raises. In 2020 even with the impact of COVID on our workforce climate, CareerEdge trained 184 workers last year, 523 workers earned raises.

Additionally, Fast Track and On the Job training, participant diversity has increased within our manufacturing and HVAC trainings. 2020 saw our first female HVAC Fast Track graduate who is now working full time and currently in an HVAC apprenticeship program.

CareerEdge has an independent third-party evaluation performed annually by Robertson Consulting Group, Inc. to review our impact on employer partnerships, job training and workforce strategies that impact our community. With successes and lessons learned captured in the report CareerEdge determines strategies for the future.

During our January Healthcare Council meeting, local employers shared their desperation to find Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA’s) to fill many open positions. In response, CareerEdge partnered with State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) to offer a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training to meet the high demand in the healthcare industry. The CNA certification offers career laddering opportunities in healthcare, potentially leading to nursing degrees and fills a huge talent shortage.

This program is unique in that the training will be offered at night to allow participants to work during the day – earning a paycheck while earning their CNA.  The class meets at SCF Lakewood Ranch Campus every Monday through Thursday beginning at 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. and Saturdays 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. running March 23 until May 29.

Training includes CareerEdge’s Bridges to Careers soft skills and participants receive resume assistance and will be interviewed by employers upon successful completion. 

CareerEdge is seeking grant applications that show a business will use funding, upon approval, to increase skills and accelerate promotions for incumbent workers, while speeding job creation. Over the past 11 years, CareerEdge has co-invested nearly $13.2 million in grants to businesses, which was matched by employer investments and other funders.

Employers may request grants of $15,000 to $50,000 to implement training programs up to 12 months in duration, with employee wages reported for two years upon training completion. Interested businesses must submit a letter of intent by Thursday, April 20 at 5:00 p.m. to careeredgeinfo@sarasotachamber.com. Those selected to apply for funding will be notified by mid-May.

CareerEdge Funders Collaborative partnered with PlanIt Sarasota and REACH Manatee, the local college access networks, to update the career planning resource to update its “Where are the Jobs?” guide to assist our region’s students and young adults with exploring possible career options. Through colorful graphics, the guide features a listing of the highest demand jobs in the area, along with their average wages, and the educational pathways to obtaining a credential for each.

A generous sponsorship from Bank of America Sarasota/Manatee is funding the printing of the “Where are the Jobs?” guides which will be distributed to schools and community-based organizations throughout the bi-county region.

CAREEREDGE FUNDERS: Bank of America, Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, JP Morgan Chase, National Fund for Workforce Solutions, Sarasota County Government, Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, The Boeing Company, The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, US Chamber of Commerce