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 SCF, while automotive lube, electrical and marine outboard trainings were held at STC.

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

Fast-Track offers a way for employers to quickly fill in-demand job openings that offer a career pathway for future promotions. The hands-on, employer-led model used in the Fast-Track training approach represents the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s charge to effectively answer the workforce needs of regional employers and workers.

Highlights from each of the cohorts include:

• 50 percent of the participants completing the CNA training were unemployed at the start of training. Upon graduation, 100 percent were employed with an average wage of $16.86.
• Participants who were already employed and completed one of the automotive lube, electrical, or marine outboard programs received an immediate $1 per hour wage increase.
• 36 participants completing training at STC received an average of three automotive or marine industry-endorsed certifications.
• Five high school seniors completed the Fast-Track training program while attending school during the day and training in the evening. Employment placement rate for these high school seniors was 60 percent, with an average hourly wage of $15.75.