JOB CORPS Article in the St. Pete Bulletin:
August 11 -17, 2011
JOB CORP MAKES PROGRESS
BY LINDA MOBLEY
My interview with Anita George, Business Community Community Liaison at the Pinellas County Jobs Corps was very educational and enlighten. George states that Senator Bill Nelson and Congressman Bill Young fought very hard for the funds from the federal government to build a Job Corp for Pinellas County. The county, city, and business owners also helped in this venture to make it happen.
There are approximately 140 students enrolled in the program. Each student must obtain their GED or high school diploma. If they have it that is a plus. From this point the vocational aspect is pursued including college courses. This is where students meet with their career counselors to get a clear picture of where their interest is, and the skills they may have already developed. The program is a 2 year eligibility.
The major trades are construction and health care. Construction covers electrical, plumbing, carpentry, facility-maintenance, HVAC (heating and air conditioning). Health
care includes CNA, (certified nurse assistant) medical assistant, medical coding and billing, and pharmacy technician. 240 hours are required for work base learning. This is where the students line up with hands on training with employers in the community.
The cost to the employer is zero (0)! So it’s very beneficial for small and big
Another component for graduation is to complete 6 community service projects. They partner up with the community in their endeavors. So far they have participated with Dell Home Park, City of St. Petersburg, Pinellas County Animal Shelter, Pinellas Hope, Relay for Life Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity, Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa.
All the students are from Florida. The contact person for Pinellas County is Doyle Shutt he is at Worknet. You may reach him at (727) 608-2492. The program enrolls students from ages 16-24.
The Dept of Labor sets the income guidelines. The children from St. Petersburg can attend the program. Yes you can! In fact, there are 20 children from St. Petersburg in the program. The facility is on their summer schedule. However if the children want to stay on campus for summer and fall break they can. Many
have chosen to do so. Graduation is coming soon in August. This will be the first class to make progress and will be ready for work, college, or the milita.
The Pinellas County Job Corp is at 500 22nd St. So., St. Petersburg, FL.
business in any of the above trades to contact George at (727) 551-2903. She’ll be happy to assist you and answer any questions that you may have. She says that the students are really good students and she enjoys being with them.