CareerEdge Funders Collaborative, the workforce development program of The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, is gearing up to launch a first-ever core construction skills training program in the Newtown community thanks to $100,000 in funding assistance provided by Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

CareerEdge will use the funding to train approximately 40 Sarasota city and county residents over two years to earn industry-recognized credentials, as well as provide them life and career skills training and financial education. Upon completion of CareerEdge’s 80-hour “Bridges to Careers” course, the participants will be considered for job opportunities by the local subcontractors working on Selby Gardens’ Master Plan project.

The training and job-placement initiative is made possible through the fundraising campaign for Selby Gardens’ Master Plan and the donors who have contributed to it. The funding also opens doors to additional partnerships in the community, according to CareerEdge. The training will take place at Goodwill Manasota's Selby Newtown location, for example, and the Goodwill team will assist with recruiting participants for the training programs and support the job-placement process. CareerEdge has selected Technical Education Council (TEC) to be the local training provider, focusing on curriculum designed by the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER). NCCER is recognized by the construction industry as the leader in training, assessment, certification, and career development.

CareerEdge is hosting an informational session on Tuesday, January 25, at 5:30 p.m. at the Goodwill Manasota Selby Newtown center for anyone who wants to learn more about the program. Online applications are now open for the first training cohort, which begins March 1 and runs through May 5. Classes are instructed in-person from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. For more information, click here.