IRSC NEWS
COMMERCE SECRETARY ANNOUNCES GRANT FOR TRAINING CENTER DURING VISIT TO IRSC
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announces a $2 million EDA grant for Indian River State College
at a recent press conference on the college’s main campus. The secretary, left, was joined at the conference
by college president Dr. Ed Massey and Florida Sen. Gayle Harrell of Martin County.
COLLEGE OFFERS COURSES FOR EMPLOYEES LOOKING TO IMPROVE SKILLS
IRSC
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BY SUZANNE SELDES
A drastically changed workforce environment
resulting from the outbreak of
COVID-19 has altered employment opportunities
for many in the region.
For those unemployed or furloughed
workers who are thinking about their
next roles, as well as individuals looking
to improve job security with their current
employers, Indian River State College is
offering online upskill certificate courses
in bookkeeping, computer science, office
specialist, effective management, human
resources, business and marketing during
its fall semester.
The college also is encouraging business
leaders who seek to upskill their workforces
to consider these essential skill-building
options for their furloughed employees.
“Today’s challenges may offer some the
right opportunity to upskill through online
courses, which may help earn a promotion
or lead to the next opportunity in
the post-coronavirus labor market,” says
Ed Massey, IRSC president. “From quick
training and certifications to full baccalaureate
degree programs, IRSC has numerous
pathways to help you enhance your
employment potential.”
In addition to outstanding academic
resources, students have the support of
the IRSC Career and Transfer Services,
which can help with resumes and cover
letters, honing interviewing skills and
securing internship placement and access
to employers.
Services for businesses,
municipalities and not-for-profits
IRSC is committed to building a dynamic
workforce pipeline that supports
long-term regional growth and business
expansion. It works with local businesses,
governments and not-for-profit agencies
to tailor programs that increase their
workforce capacity. IRSC has the flexibility
to work with organizations to create
needs-specific training for workers, as well
as develop apprenticeship programs.
The college also offers a wide array of
opportunities to connect employers with
students — welcoming businesses and
not-for-profit organizations that are in
need of employees, student interns or
customized training for workers to contact
the college.
IRSC offers more than 100 programs
ranging from short-term career training
programs to certificate programs to associate
and bachelor degree programs.
To view the listing of educational programs,
visit: www.irsc.edu/programs/
index.html. And for more information
about IRSC programs, email info@irsc.edu;
visit irsc.edu or call 772.462.4772. v
BY SUZANNE SELDES
Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross
announced a $2 million Economic Development
Administration grant for the construction
of the Treasure Coast Advanced
Manufacturing Center during a May 29
visit to Indian River State College.
The funds are part of a $10 million EDA
grant for the state that also includes $8
million for the Florida Department of Economic
Opportunity to support a revolving
loan fund that will provide businesses
with gap financing needed to recover and
rebuild after Hurricane Michael.
“Today’s grants help ensure that the
rebound in Florida is quick and that it
encompasses the important industry
of advanced manufacturing,” Ross said.
“IRSC’s planned worker training facility will
attract high-quality manufacturing jobs to
the Treasure Coast for years to come.”
The 18,000 square-foot center, a stateof
the-art worker training facility for
advanced manufacturing, welding and
heating ventilation and air conditioning
systems, will be built on IRSC’s main campus
in Fort Pierce and will provide handson
learning to fill the immediate skills
needs of local manufacturing companies.
“The project will increase enrollment
in high-skill programs such as HVAC and
welding, allowing us to train an additional
500 workers annually,” college president
Edwin Massey said. “Maintaining partnerships
with local industries and businesses
is critical for the success of these programs.
IRSC will work closely with community
employers to balance supply and
demand of these highly skilled workers.”
The presentation was held in the Brown
Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship,
a project that was a previous
recipient of an EDA grant. Following the
presentation, Ross joined Massey for a tour
of the National Science Foundation labs
housed in the Brown Center. v
IRSC
With the support of her children, a student participates
in an IRSC Virtual Upskill Certification Course.
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