Cynthia Burgos needed new skills and a new career after the COVID-19 pandemic reduced the hours of her job in the airline industry. Osceola’s County’s new partnership with Valencia College was the opportunity she needed as she and others began an 18-week course in clinical medical assisting this week.
Using $859,078 of Coronavirus Relief Funds, Osceola County hopes that Burgos is among at least 340 residents who will end up with new skills and new jobs by December.
“Being able to meet my financial obligations with a reduction of hours has caused stress in my life,” said Burgos. “I’ve always had the ability and the strong desire to help those around me, even when tending medical emergencies as a flight attendant. Being in this program is an amazing opportunity to step foot in the healthcare field and to get new skills and certifications. It will allow me to learn how to provide immediate help to those around me… and will eventually help me in my future career as a travel nurse.”
The Coronavirus has hit Osceola hard, leading to the highest unemployment rate in the state, and devastating the travel and tourism industries.
Under the agreement with Valencia, the College’s Accelerated Skills Training (AST) programs will recruit eligible students for short-term courses in Commercial Truck Driving, Electronic Board Assembly Operator, Medical Office Specialist, Clinical Medical Assisting, and Distribution Operations Technician. Also included under the umbrellas of the Accelerated Skills Training (AST) Program will be enrollment in an English as a Second Language (ESOL) program or Intensive English Program (IEP), based on individual need.
“This is an ideal partnership because Valencia’s AST programs have proven they provide accelerated pathways to high wage employment in desirable industries that are just what so many of our residents impacted by COVID-19 need right now. It is ideal that these programs offer a quick turnaround, flexible curriculum and a pipeline that connects employers to highly skilled employees.”
Participants in the programs will benefit from coordination between local industry partners, workforce leaders, and college members to recruit, train, and retain workers.
“Valencia College’s Accelerated Skills Training programs have enjoyed a long history of support from Osceola County and this is just one more example. What is so powerful about our partnership is the alignment in helping to make the residents of Osceola County lives better,” said Carolyn McMorran, Valencia College’s assistant vice president of professional and continuing education. “We are grateful for all of the efforts the county makes towards our success.”
Ninety-five percent of students in Valencia College’s AST programs complete the program and earn certifications; and 81 percent of graduates are placed in jobs at the end of the program. All AST programs last between 4 and 18 weeks with multiple start times throughout the year.
Added Burgos, “The program funding will help me reach the educational goals that I was unable to reach in the past, due to my inability to attend and pay for school full time. I am now in a situation where I need new skills and I can attend school full-time and finally reach a dream that seemed out of reach for many years.”
Grant funding will also support the purchase of critical equipment to ensure students are learning industry-validated skills aligning with employer demands and have ample time for hands-on training.
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Commercial Truck Driver Class A
Intensive English Program
Electronic Board Assembly
Distribution Operations Technician
Medical Office Specialist
ESOL
Intensive English Program
Commercial Truck Driver Class A
Intensive English Program
Osceola CAT
Poinciana CAT & OC Fire
Osceola CAT/Online
AMTC
Poinciana CAT
Osceola CAT
Osceola CAT/Online
Osceola CAT/Online
Poinciana CAT & OC Fire
Osceola CAT/Online
For more information on Valencia College’s AST programs and how to apply for an Osceola Cares grant, please visit www.valenciacollege.edu/AST.