Bridges To Careers
Meeting Our Community’s Workforce Needs
Bridges to Careers course deliveries are customized for both the audience served, as well as for individual employers or industry groups. Many programs are also delivered in tandem with industry-recognized certification programs to give participants job training in specific, high demand careers. In 2019, 140 participants were employed full or part time within two years of entering the program, participants saw an average wage increase of 56% in hourly wages. Post-training wages ranged from $12.50 to $20.50 per hour.
Bridges to Careers includes learning modules in:
Life & Career Skills Training
- Attitude is Everything
- Conflict to Resolution
- Professionalism in the Workplace
- Customer Service
- Stress Management Teamwork
- Time Management
Employability Training
- Resume Assistance
- Job Applications
- Interviewing Skills
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What are the Bridges to Careers Programs?
- It is an employer-led, hands-on skills training in HVAC, Plumbing, Auto Lube, Marine Outboard, Auto/Marine Electrical, Construction, and Healthcare (CNA)
- It is a tuition-free training and is held in the evening so participants can earn a wage during the day
- The training experience includes life and career skills training and/or financial literacy training
- Some programs also offer guest speakers and employer tours
Current industries who are participating:
- Construction
- Automotive
- Plumbing
- HVAC
- Manufacturing
- Marine
- Healthcare
Upcoming Fast Tracks
STC TUITION-FREE AUTO LUBE TECHNICIAN PROGRAM
Schedule: Tentative Dates - July 14 - October 8
Days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
Hours: 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Suncoast Technical College. 4748 S Beneva Rd, Sarasota, FL 34233
Click Here to Learn More About the School
STC TUITION-FREE CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT (CNA) TRAINING
Upcoming Start Dates:
August 10, 2026
September 21, 2026
November 2, 2026
January 5, 2027
February 16, 2027
April 5, 2027
Days: Monday - Thursday
Classroom: 7:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Clinical: 6:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Location: Suncoast Technical College. 4748 S Beneva Rd, Sarasota, FL 34233
Click Here to Learn More About the School
Meridian West Central College - 10 Week CNA Program
Mandatory Orientation: August 14
Start Date: September 14
Application Deadline: July 1
Days: Hybrid Schedule - (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: Online) (Thursday, Friday: In Class/ Clinical Site)
Hours: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM or 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Location: Meridian West Central College (201 Montgomery Ave, Sarasota, FL 34243)
Click Here to Learn More About the School
American Vocational Academy - 13 Week Plumbing Program
Schedule: September 14 - December 14
Days: Tuesday - Friday
Hours: 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Location: American Vocational Academy (1080 Enterprise CT, N Unit D, Venice, FL 34275)
Click Here to Learn More About the School
⇒ NEW! Earn Credit Toward Your Plumbing Career
Complete this program and start your registered plumbing apprenticeship as a Year 2 apprentice—earning one year of apprenticeship credit in just three months.
American Vocational Academy - 13 Week HVAC Program
Schedule: September 14 - December 14
Days: Tuesday - Friday
Hours: 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Location: American Vocational Academy (1080 Enterprise CT, N Unit D, Venice, FL 34275)
Click Here to Learn More About the School
Bridges to Careers Partners:
- American Vocational Academy
- Bank of America
- Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation
- Dwyer Workforce Development
- Eppard Family Foundation
- FleetForce
- Florida Blue Foundation
- Gulf Coast Community Foundation
- Manatee Technical College
- Meridian West Central College
- National Fund For Workforce Solutions
- Regions Bank
- Sarasota County Government
- State College of Florida
- Suncoast Technical College
- Technical Education Council
- Truist Foundation
Eppard Family Foundation Funds Fast-Track Training Programs
To learn more about our training programs, please reach us at:
p: 941.556.4045 or
e: careeredgeinfo@sarasotachamber.com