The Osceola County Commission's partnership with Valencia College has been extended to help hundreds of residents secure new skills and new jobs.
Using Coronavirus Relief Replacement Funds, Osceola County launched the program with the college in September after the Coronavirus devastated Osceola’s workforce, leading to the highest unemployment rate in the state, and heavily impacting the travel and tourism industries.
Under the agreement with Valencia, the College’s Accelerated Skills Training (AST) programs is recruiting eligible students for short-term courses in commercial truck driving, electronic board assembly operator, medical office specialist, distribution operations technician and clinical medical assisting, which allows someone to administer the COVID-19 vaccine.
Valencia’s AST programs have proven they provide accelerated pathways to high wage employment in desirable industries. Commissioners were attracted to the programs because they offer a quick turnaround, flexible curriculum and a pipeline that connects employers to highly skilled employees.
Participants in the programs benefit from coordination between local industry partners, workforce leaders, and college members to recruit, train, and retain workers.
Ninety-five percent of students in Valencia College’s AST programs complete the program and earn certifications; and 81 percent of graduates are placed in jobs at the end of the program. All AST programs last between 4 and 18 weeks with multiple start times throughout the year.
The full schedule of funded programs includes:
March 29: Clinical Medical Assistant
April 5: Commercial Truck Driving – Class A
April 12: Medical Office Specialist, Electronic Board Assembly and Distribution Operations Technician
April 26: Carpentry, Electronic Board Assembly and Distribution Operations Technician
May 3: Commercial Truck Driving – Class A, Heavy Equipment Operator and Apartment Maintenance Technician
May 11: Clinical Medical Assistant
June 7: Commercial Truck Driving – Class A
June 28: Commercial Truck Driving – Class A
For more information on Valencia College’s AST programs and how to apply for an Osceola Cares grant, visit www.valenciacollege.edu/AST.
