Northwest Florida State College is awarded $1.15 Million Dollar Department of Labor Grant to Fund the NWFSC Job Corps Scholars Program
May 29, 2020
NICEVILLE – The U.S. Department of Labor announced Thursday that Northwest Florida State College has been awarded a grant of $1,152,483 to fund the NWFSC Job Corps Scholars program. The full announcement can be accessed on the Department of Labor’s website.. This non-residential program will include, at no cost to the participants: a 12-month career technical training component, with up to 12-month employment placement period following separation from the program, with intensive counseling services to support and facilitate each student’s employment and career success.
A total of 80 participants (two cohorts of 40) will be served over the 39-month project period at an average cost per participant of $14,406. The NWFSC Job Corps Scholars program will target 16-24-year-old residents of Okaloosa and Walton Counties with particular focus on the Opportunity Zone census tracts in the two counties.
NWFSC Job Corps Scholars will be able to earn certifications in 12 months or less in the following high-growth career paths: Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts, Early Childhood Education, Public Safety Management, Engineering Technology, Welding Technology and Dental Assisting. Academic Programs include: Chef’s Apprentice, Food & Beverage Operations, Early Childhood Education Infant/Toddler Specialization, Early Childhood Education Preschool Specialization, Emergency Medical Technician, Correctional Officer Basic, Law Enforcement Officer, Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician (combined), CNC Machinist/Fabricator, Engineering Technology Support Specialist, Welding Technology and Dental Assisting. The maximum number of hours earned by program completers is 18 credit hours or 1,330 clock hours.
“Bringing the Department of Labor’s Job Corps Scholars program to Northwest Florida State College is integral to getting Floridians back to work,” said NWFSC President Dr. Devin Stephenson. “The future job market will more closely focus on career and technical fields, and NWF State College stands ready to respond to those evolving needs.”
While the Job Corps program is new to Northwest Florida State College, the College has a long standing history of providing high-quality technical training programs in a variety of disciplines that lead to positive employment and earnings outcomes and has extensive experience with providing programs to the target population. Last year, 94% of NWFSC graduates found employment or continued education within one year of graduating and wages for NWFSC graduates were 117% higher than those of non-graduates in the service area.
The Department of Labor’s Job Corps program helps young people between the ages of 16 and 24 from disadvantaged backgrounds complete their high school education and provides them training to prepare them for meaningful careers. Job Corps seeks to give its students the opportunity to realize their full potential, gain new vocational and academic skills and become mature, responsible and productive adults. The program has trained and educated two million individuals in its more than 50-year history. Currently, Job Corps serves approximately 60,000 youths annually through more than 120 Job Corps centers throughout the country. Job Corps operates primarily by awarding contracts for operating its training centers, including providing outreach and admissions services, technical training, employment and career counseling, job placement and other services.
For further information about the NWFSC Job Corps program, contact Bill Allison, Director of Professional and Workforce Training, at 850-729-4995 or allisonb@nwfsc.edu.