Bank of America and Gulf Coast Community Foundation awarded CareerEdge $50,000 and $125,000 respectively to continue our efforts in workforce development.

Both are founding investors and 11-year participants on the CareerEdge Funders Council.  CareerEdge will use the Bank of America grant funding to expand its Bridges to Careers Fast-Track programs as well as life and career skills training. Participants will also receive financial education training from Bank of America’s Better Money Habits sessions.

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation funding will be used for Bridges to Careers Fast-Track Training, on-the-job training, internships, and salary subsidies for local employers.

Preparing a future employee for the workforce is all encompassing. The hands-on, technical training is a critical component of the learning journey as is the “soft” skills training which CareerEdge calls Life and Career Skills.

The life and career skills training helps the participant learn about teamwork, communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and interpersonal skills. These important skills are not just applicable in the workforce. Many participants find these skills to be very useful in their personal lives. Business is about people and relationships – the life and career skills equip the participants to bring their best each day and be a dependable worker for their employer.

Participants who recently participated in our life and career skills state that it helps them with: Stress control, attitude, how to face conflict, self-awareness, leadership, self-improvement, and organizational skills. As one participant stated, she feels “very blessed” to have had this learning experience.

The life and career skills are created and led by Dr. Lori Roth, president of Learning and Reflective Growth. “I love to facilitate these classes for CareerEdge because most of the participants are so grateful. They don’t get a chance to learn these skills in high school or in the trades where they are focused on technical skills. The tools and tips taught in the class are an essential part of improving our ability to work with others and can have a positive influence on advancing our career.” says Dr. Roth.

CareerEdge, State College of Florida (SCF), and Suncoast Technical College (STC) collaboratively partnered to help 44 local individuals graduate from the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Automotive Lube, Electrical, and Marine Outboard Fast-Track training programs. The first-ever evening CNA training was held at State College of Florida, while Automotive Lube, Electrical, and Marine Outboard trainings were held at STC.

The results were extremely favorable: 95% of the participants received job offers at graduation or received a wage increase if there were already employed. Graduates are now working with local businesses such as Chris-Craft, Sunset Automotive Group, Wilde Honda, and Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

As part of its State of the Region communications, the Tampa Bay Partnership features a promising practice article, from within the region, that is “moving the needle” on its indicators. CareerEdge was selected to be highlighted in the latest State of the Region publication.

CAREEREDGE FUNDERS: Bank of America, Regions Bank, 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