Florida’s Statewide Workforce Development Program Launches Veterans Training Academy for Road and Bridge Construction

Five-day Training Initiative in Partnership with CareerSource Tampa Bay will Culminate with In-person Interviews with Road and Bridge Construction Contractors and Onsite Hiring Event – October 7, 2022

TAMPA, FL – The Florida Department of Transportation Statewide Workforce Development Program’s Veterans Training Academy will acknowledge Military Veterans completing its five-day road and bridge construction skills training workshop on Friday, October 7, 2022. The in-person hiring event will include interviews with hiring FDOT contractor and be held at CareerSource Tampa Bay located at 9215 N. Florida Avenue, Tampa, FL 33612 beginning 1:30 p.m.

As Florida’s road and bridge construction work program is implemented, the need for skilled workers continues to grow. The Veterans Training Academy course was developed to introduce Veterans statewide to the career opportunities in the industry.

This inaugural academy week will provide Veterans in the Tampa area with an immersive road and bridge construction course and present them with entry level certifications. The objectives are to position them more competitively for hiring and to leverage their military skills and discipline which transfers well to careers with FDOT contractors.

During the event, participants completing the course will receive certifications in:

• Safety Overview
• Management of Traffic (MOT)
• Heavy Equipment Operator – Level I

Hiring Event

Several FDOT contractors will be participating and on site to meet the Veterans, providing in-person job interviews and screenings with opportunities for hiring.

Note: Reporters are welcome to interview Veteran Training Academy participants.

About Florida’s Statewide Workforce Development Program for Road and Bridge Construction

The Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) Statewide Workforce Development Program is dedicated to continuing to implement the Statewide Workforce Development Program authorized by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2019. The focus is to provide employment opportunities in road and bridge construction that create pathways to successful careers that improve lives. More than 1,584 people have been hired and interned by FDOT contractors through this program since July 2019.

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