CareerSource Tampa Bay and Hillsborough County Announces ACE Program Fall Classes

~Program increases age requirements to 18 to 29 years old ~

TAMPA, FL – CareerSource Tampa Bay (CSTB) is excited to announce a continued partnership with the Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to implement the Apprenticeship-to-Career Empowerment Program (ACE) set to launch its third year in October 2022.

The program works with specific targeted industries such as Manufacturing, Information Technology, Financial Services, and Hospitality. This fall CSTB is adding a Healthcare Track. Additionally, the ACE program is increasing the age requirement to include adults up to 29 years old, which should allow CSTB to service more young adults in Hillsborough County.

The ACE Program is seeking Hillsborough young adults ages 18 to 29 to connect them to short-term occupational skills training that will result in industry-recognized certifications, a meaningful work experience with a local employer, and a career pathway for a brighter future. Income eligibility will be a requirement of services.

“We are so grateful for the Board of County Commissioners to entrust us again with this program,” said CSTB Director of Programs, Saleema Bennett. “We look forward to assisting more individuals create a career ladder for themselves with the added trainings and age requirements. This program has really opened doors for emerging professionals to receive the training and hands-on experience they need to take their careers to the next level, and we are excited to continue.”

The Ace Program will again have the backing of four industries and opportunities in Financial Shared Services, Information Technology, Healthcare, and Manufacturing. Healthcare and Financial Shared Service opportunities will start soon as training program selections are set.

Financial Shared Services, Healthcare, Information Technology, and Manufacturing will each run the following career paths for 8 to 12-week periods:

• Front End or Software Development (12-week program) (Starts October 19, 2022)
• Digital Marketing (8-week program) (Starts October 27, 2022)
• Accredited Claims Adjuster (8 weeks) (Starts November 2022 TBA)
• Cyber Security (12-week program) (Starts November 17, 2022)
• Business Project Specialist (9-week program) (Starts December 8, 2022)
• Phlebotomy Training (12 Week Program) (TBA)
• Aircraft Electronics Technician (12-week program) (TBA)
• CNC – Milling, Programming and Operations (10-week program) (TBA)
• Tech Works – Pre-apprenticeship in IT Help Desk (12-week program) (TBA)

The first class for Front End Web Development will begin on October 19, 2022. Individuals interested in these classes should contact the ACE team as soon as possible to register.

Click on link for a copy of the program flyer. https://bit.ly/3rEktO4

For more information or to register for the ACE program, please contact the ACE team at [email protected] or call (813)-647-2046. Also visit the ACE program website located at http://www.careersourcetampabay.com/ace.

More About the ACE Program

ACE is designed to empower young adults to take control of their futures by providing them an opportunity to learn industry specific skills and credentials while earning income and real-world work experience. This opportunity will provide a career pathway trajectory that will accelerate their future earning potential and growth in their selected career.

Young adults will receive two (2) days of free occupational skills training through a local training provider or apprentice program and three (3) days of worksite or hands on training with a local employer. Training will yield an industry-recognized certification and meaningful paid work experience. Participants will earn as they learn and be paid $15 per hour with a maximum of 24 hours per week while at their worksite.

The ACE program is designed to reach out to young adults in low-income households, especially those exiting the foster care system and those escaping from human trafficking, to connect them with apprenticeship opportunities and occupational skills training. These opportunities serve as meaningful work experiences with local employers and will result in industry-recognized certifications and a pathway for a brighter future.

The ACE Program thanks all the employer partners who helped place participants during year one and two of the program. ACE is seeking additional local Hillsborough employers in the mentioned targeted industries to partner with CareerSource Tampa Bay to provide worksite training, mentoring and a future for a Hillsborough young adult. Employer partners receive paid youth interns during their worksite hours. CSTB hopes to have multiple industry representatives’ partner with us in this program.

If further assistance is needed, please contact Cynthia Diaz, the ACE Program Coordinator, at (813)-930-7158.

About CareerSource Tampa Bay

Programs and initiatives are sponsored by CareerSource Tampa Bay and the State of Florida, Department of Economic Opportunity and fully supported by the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Agriculture as part of awards totaling $23,321,277.

CareerSource Tampa Bay works with businesses and candidates to leverage their training, retraining, and competitive opportunities in the workforce. CareerSource Tampa Bay provided 173,319 services to 37,054 active Wagner-Peyser individuals during the program year 2019-2020. CareerSource Tampa Bay, with our five career centers, is the single largest source of job candidates in the region, from entry-level to executive-level candidates. We work closely with all Veterans.

Businesses can access CareerSource’s wide range of services that include recruiting, training for new and existing employees, targeted hiring events, and retention support strategies. All resources and services are provided at no cost to both businesses and job candidates. Programs funded through CareerSource Tampa Bay are equal opportunity programs with auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Persons using TTY/TTD equipment use Florida Relay Service 711. A proud partner of the American Job Center network to learn more, visit www.careersourcetampabay.com.

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