Web: careersourcesuncoast.com
Beginning June 8, 50 rising high school seniors and graduating students from Manatee and Sarasota counties will spend five weeks learning valuable life and work skills that will help them on a path toward a fulfilling career. The Journey to Success program, launched by CareerSource Suncoast, is intended to inspire young adults to explore careers in high demand industries including construction, healthcare, information technology and manufacturing. It provides young adults with access to economic prosperity where their talents are aligned with the needs of employers.
During the five weeks, students will attend workshops to learn employability and life skills, financial literacy and work readiness. They will participate in community service, visit with educational institutions and local employers and receive mentoring from community leaders.
Graduates of the program may choose to immediately enter into a job, enhance their skills with postsecondary education or continue on to the Journey to Success year-round program, where they are placed into one of six paths: Leadership and Entrepreneurship Development; GED Preparation; Work Experience; Employment and Training; Life Skills Training; or Occupational Skills Training.
Matthew is a graduate of the Journey to Success pilot program in 2014.
“Having all these people speak to you really opens your mind,” he said. “At first, I strictly wanted to be a pediatrician, and after I heard the guest speakers, I thought about oncology, orthopedics and others that I had no clue about before. It was huge for me.”
Now, a year later, Matthew is graduating and planning on entering pre-med school in the fall.
There is no cost to participate in the Journey to Success summer session. Students must be currently enrolled in the 11th or 12th grade in Manatee or Sarasota county as well as meet additional eligibility requirements. Bus passes or gas cards will be provided to assist with transportation needs, and all participants will be eligible for a $550 stipend. The program is based out of Manatee Technical College for Manatee County students and Suncoast Technical College for students in Sarasota County.
Journey to Success is made possible by the support of community partners: CareerSource Suncoast, CareerEdge, Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, School District of Manatee County, Sarasota County Schools, Safe Children Coalition and Sarasota Manatee Manufacturers Association.
To enroll in the summer session, contact Shona Taylor at [email protected] or (941) 714-7449, ext. 2180. For more information and to become a partner, guest speaker or provide employment opportunities to participants, contact us at [email protected].
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