Public input available until June 16th
FutureMakers Coalition at Collaboratory and FGCU are welcoming public input into all aspects of their RFP until June 16th.
All comments will become part of the public record and will be used to refine the final RFP before it is released July 1st.
Florida Gulf Coast University, together with FutureMakers Coalition at Collaboratory and other partners, developed the Southwest Florida Equitable Jobs Pipeline to upskill the regional workforce and stimulate economic development, which will continue to build and expand a strong economic future for Florida.
Made possible by nearly $23 million in federal funding – the largest grant in FGCU history – the Equitable Jobs Pipeline will connect underemployed and unemployed Southwest Florida residents with training for industry-recognized credentials and, ultimately, careers with local employers committed to this partnership. More than 1,700 local job seekers, including those from underserved populations, who face barriers to education, employment and career advancement will be fast-tracked for professional advancement.
This regional collaboration is developing a long-term solution to reduce those barriers. Because talent lives here – but needs a path to opportunity.
“Our goal is to remove barriers and connect workers with training for better careers while meeting the workforce needs of employers. Public comment is important to promote a fair and transparent process and for the region to engage in the SWFL Equitable Jobs Pipeline initiative,” said Tessa LeSage, FutureMakers director, Collaboratory, which is serving as the backbone organization for FutureMakers Coalition.
The first four target industries for the Equitable Jobs Pipeline include healthcare, manufacturing, K-12 public education and logistics.
Public input can be accessed by visiting https://www.futuremakerscoalition.com/rfp/
The total funding amount available for this RFP is $1,225,000.00 to develop new programs, update existing programs, or expand existing programs to meet the needs of local employers.
Eligible applicants are local postsecondary educational agencies, community-based organizations (non-profit), colleges and universities, adult education programs, other public or private (for profit) entities, or a consortium of two or more of those entities.
FutureMakers Coalition is a regional collective impact initiative that has been designated a Talent Hub by Lumina Foundation in partnership with The Kresge Foundation to support local efforts to increase educational attainment. Formed in 2015 around existing regional collaborations, the Coalition is committed to creating a cradle-to-career pathway to ensure success for traditional students and adult learners. FutureMakers Coalition was one of Lumina Foundation’s 75 national Community Partners in Attainment and is a member of the National Talent Network. Collaboratory provides backbone/administrative support to FutureMakers Coalition.
FutureMakers Coalition encourages businesses to join and invest in sustaining this community-changing initiative by visiting https://www.futuremakerscoalition.com or emailing Tessa LeSage at tlesage@collaboratory.org.
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Contact: Melinda Isley, APR, m.creativepr, cell: 239-565-1630, Melinda@mcreativepr.com
