CareerSource North Central Florida (CareerSource) has been awarded a $10,000 prize as a Challenge Member by Jobs for the Future (JFF) for its work on the Green Job Pipeline Advisory Council (Council). This status is one of twenty nationally and the only one in Florida.
The Council is a collaboration of over two dozen local governmental, non-governmental, and private sector organizations which are working to build a talent pipeline for quality green jobs for underserved communities in North Central Florida. The award will allow the Council to apply for more significant awards from the JFF.
CareerSource was awarded for its work on the Council, which is a critical component of the US Department of Energy supported
Project EMPOWER, Alachua County’s community-led plan to help the county transition to a clean energy economy. The Council is working to identify the skills and training needed for future green jobs, and to develop strategies to connect underserved and low-income job seekers with these opportunities.
“We are thrilled to be awarded Challenge Member status by JFF,” said Phyllis Marty, CEO of CareerSource. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Green Job Pipeline Advisory Council.”
Council member Nkwanda Jah of the NAACP Environmental & Climate Justice Committee said, “Together, we are working to create a more sustainable and equitable future for our region and some of our most underserved neighborhoods.”
The award will provide the Council with funding and technical assistance to help the Council continue its work. The Council is also working to coordinate with its partners and the community to provide training and support to businesses creating green jobs in North Central Florida. “We are excited to be a part of the work on the Green Job Pipeline Advisory Council,” said Tom Mason, Santa Fe College Academic Advisor. “This Council is a model for how communities can come together to build the training and certifications needed for a more sustainable and equitable future.”
“We are grateful for the support of JFF and our partners,” said Shannon Ritter, Director of College and Career Pathways for Alachua County Public Schools, and also a Pipeline member. “We are committed to making a real difference in the lives of our community, and we are confident that the Council will help us achieve our goals.”
About Jobs for the Future
Jobs for the Future (JFF) is a national nonprofit advancing workforce development and economic opportunity for all. JFF partners with employers, education and training providers, and communities to create pathways to good jobs, advance racial and economic equity, and build a more sustainable economy.
For more information, contact Career Source Manager Phyllis Marty at 352-955-2245 or
pmarty@alachuacounty.us.
