Valencia College has been awarded $300,000 by Bank of America to train a growing number of Orlando residents who are seeking to gain employment in the skilled trades through the college’s Accelerated Skills Training programs. This is the largest award given by Bank of America to an Orlando-based non-profit this year.
While most of the tuition for these adult students is covered by CareerSource Central Florida, the U.S. Department of Labor and other sources, there remains a tuition/cost gap that creates an insurmountable financial barrier for those students already facing additional challenges. Bank of America’s grant will bridge that gap – creating opportunity for 180 to 200 learners to gain skills and high wage jobs.
“This grant will allow us to reach deeper into economically distressed communities, to help unemployed and underemployed residents gain the skills needed for a high demand, high wage career,” said Carolyn McMorran, assistant vice president of Professional and Continuing Education at Valencia College.
“Bank of America is committed to investing in workforce development programs that prepare individuals with the right skills to enter the job market,” said Steven Alch, president, Bank of America Central Florida. “We support Valencia College’s training programs to help Orlando residents get the skills they need to succeed in high-demand careers.”
Valencia has five Centers for Accelerated Training located in underserved areas in Orange and Osceola counties. Accelerated Skills Training programs, which range from four to 20 weeks in length, feature a hands-on approach and quick job placement through the strong relationships that Valencia has built with employers and partners. Program areas range from advanced manufacturing to construction to logistics to health care.
The college has seen an increase in demand for short-term technical training since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, and in the last year, has tripled the number of students who complete the program.
Since 2016, Valencia has provided training to 2,241 individuals, 89 percent of whom completed the program and 82 percent of whom found a job in the industry they trained for, with starting salaries from $15 to $20 an hour.
To learn more about Valencia College’s Accelerated Skills Training programs, please visit: https://net1.valenciacollege.edu/continuing-education/accelerated-skills-training-programs.