Florida State College at Jacksonville will use a $1,484,224 Vocational and Employment Readiness Training in Comprehensive Adult Learning grant to train students with unique abilities.
As part of the Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program, FSCJ’s VERTICAL program is a vocational, technical and career-readiness training program for adults with intellectual disabilities in Duval and Nassau counties.
“FSCJ is proud to serve as an educational partner for anyone and everyone who wishes to elevate themselves through higher education. Thanks to this grant, we will be able to further our ability to do just that and help even more students pursue their goals,” FSCJ President John Avendano said in an April 15 news release.
The release said the program offers students the opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials that lead to relevant employment upon completion. Participants can complete the program in one to three years, depending on the chosen career path.
Career tracks include Office Specialist College Credit Technical Certificate, Certified Nursing Assistant and welding technology.
Currently, FSCJ serves 55 students who have self-disclosed an intellectual disability as their primary disability. The grant will allow an additional 10 students to enroll for the first fall cohort.
The following year, and each subsequent year, another 10 students will be accepted, with the expectation that up to 30 students will complete the program during the three-year grant project period.
Following completion, students will receive direct job placement and stabilization in employment positions in Northeast Florida.