St. Petersburg College Opens Workforce Training Center in Oldsmar

The ribbon cutting ceremony for the Workforce Institute at St. Petersburg College in Oldsmar.

The ribbon cutting ceremony for the Workforce Institute at St. Petersburg College in Oldsmar included Oldsmar Mayor Doug Bevis and St. Petersburg College President Dr. William Law (center).

St. Petersburg College and the City of Oldsmar have entered a partnership that will provide workforce training and certif-ication courses for residents in north Pinellas County.

The Workforce Institute at St. Petersburg College in Oldsmar, located at the former Senior Center, will offer courses in manufacturing, business management and technology as well as industry-recognized certification classes.

During a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday evening, St. Petersburg College President Dr. William Law, Jr. explained the importance of having such a facility in Oldsmar.

St. Petersburg College President Dr. William Law.

St. Petersburg College President Dr. William Law.

“People have access to world-class employers here in Oldsmar,” Dr. Law told a group that included Oldsmar Mayor Doug Bevis and Pinellas County Commissioner Dave Eggers. “To have a branch of St. Petersburg College here that provides certifications, where people can train for jobs and get jobs, is a huge opportunity.”

“We live for these kinds of moments where a comm-unity and a college come together,” he added. “This is a step towards changing the sociology of the comm-unity.”

Courses at the training center, which is located at 127 State Street West, will begin in late September, and many will be offered through SPC’s Learn to Earn program, where participants can upgrade their job skills in specific software for as little as $25 in short-term courses.

Another significant aspect of the facility is the ability for employers to take advantage of courses and labs that will not only help them find qualified potential employees, but improve their business-management operations as well.

The Workforce Institute at St. Petersburg College in Oldsmar is located at 127 State St. West.

The Workforce Institute at St. Petersburg College in Oldsmar is located at 127 State St. West.

“The Workforce and Professional Development program is a new program at SPC’s Global Corporate College,” program director Belinthia Berry said.

“We work with employers to organize a customized training program, and we can set up the courses right here so they don’t have to travel to one of our other campuses.”

Berry said they are planning to host an open house in October, where local employers will be able to view the manufacturing training lab and learn more about the program.

City and school officials believe this type of training should be very beneficial to employers in the area.

The Workforce Institute at St. Petersburg College in Oldsmar

The Workforce Institute at St. Petersburg College in Oldsmar

According to the most recent data provided by Pinellas County Economic Development, of the 13,400 people who work at 2,362 businesses in Oldsmar, more than 1,800, or 13.5 percent, work in manu-facturing, making it the third largest employment sector in the city.

Additionally, Dr. Law pointed out that of the 33,000 students enrolled in credited programs at SPC’s 11 locations, there are as many students aged 36 and older as there are aged 19-21.

“Not all students will go get a four-year degree,” he said. “There are hundreds of jobs in the community, and nothing would make me feel worse than jobs going wanting for lack of training courses.”

The combination of a deep pool of potential employers and a large student base has Oldsmar officials excited about the new partnership with SPC.

“I think it’s exciting,” Mayor Bevis told Oldsmar Connect. “This is SPC’s furthest east campus in Pinellas County, and they will be able to draw from East Lake, Westchase, and other parts of Tampa.”

“A lack of skilled workers is always a problem, and that’s the gap this facility is trying to fill,” he added. “I think this is the birth of a great partnership. The potential is really endless of what we can do here.”

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