SARASOTA, Fla. (March 11, 2019) — For those looking for an on-ramp to a career with upward mobility, CareerEdge Funders Collaborative has partnered with a consortium of four local automotive dealerships to provide a fast-track pathway to becoming an automotive technician. To address the shortage of auto technicians, CareerEdge partnered with Suncoast Technical College (STC) to create a Fast Track training program in the evenings so that entry-level employees can receive both on-the-job as well as classroom training.
Participating employers include Gettel Automotive, Sunset Automotive Group, Peterson Toyota of Sarasota, and Wilde Automotive. These organizations must hire individuals with no experience at $12 per hour for full-time trainee positions. The new hires must then attend the mandatory, free 11-week automotive training program at STC’s Beneva Road campus on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., from April 8 to June 24.
“This is the fourth class of its kind CareerEdge has developed and is thrilled to have eight dealerships on board to offer individuals this rapid pathway to a career with strong wages and advancement opportunities,” says Chief Workforce Officer Mireya Eavey. “The automotive industry has really come together to solve the labor shortage with their willingness to invest in entry-level workers.”
Once participants complete the 11-week program, they will be paid $13 per hour, full time, with benefits and have the potential for additional industry certifications and career growth at the dealerships. Average wages for mechanics are between $40,000 and $50,000, with some earning upwards of six figures.
The training, which is funded by Eppard Family Foundation, is a revised version of the college’s year-long program and includes CareerEdge’s Bridges to Careers soft skills training, as well as financial education class.
No experience is required for this training and all interested applicants should apply directly to any or all of the participating dealerships using their online employment portals. These organizations will screen and choose their new hires and then approve them for the funded evening class. All inquiries should be made directly to these employers.
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About CareerEdge Funders Collaborative
CareerEdge is an innovative partnership of business, government, and philanthropic organizations that leverages public and private dollars to provide opportunities for better jobs and wages in Manatee and Sarasota counties. For more information about CareerEdge and its partners, please visit www.careeredgefunders.org or call 941.556.4029.
