Workforce Training & Development

Print this page

Preparing for Success

The following programs are available to employers and employees in and around the St. Pete area. For additional information and resources on St. Pete’s workforce, visit www.stpeteworkforce.org.

St. Pete Works

St. Pete Works is a collaborative project of community-based organizations working together with employers and local agencies to provide quality services that support workforce opportunities in St. Pete. The goal of St. Pete Works is to drive practices, policies, and investments that provide sustainable employment for residents, a skilled workforce for employers, and a more prosperous community for South St. Pete. 

CareerSource Pinellas

CareerSource Pinellas provides workforce solutions to businesses, professionals, and entry level candidates throughout Pinellas County. These services range from career planning services, career fairs, and training programs to employee recruitment, labor market strategies, and retention support strategies. Contact CareerSource at 727-524-4344 or visit their website at careersourcepinellas.com for more information.

Employ Florida Marketplace

The Workforce Florida and the Agency for Workforce Innovation launched this free internet website that links all of Florida's career services—state and local—into a cumulative resource database. Powered by 24 regional workforce boards across the state, EmployFlorida.com  provides fast access to a complete set of employment tools in an easy to use format. Employers seeking workforce personnel have free access to locate potential job candidates and to review current job market trends. 

FloridaFlex

The Florida Flex initiative has trained over 45,000 employees in over 200 businesses across Florida and offers customized employee training grants for new and expanding businesses. This performance-based incentive requires that businesses create new jobs, hire, and train the new employees before any training costs are reimbursed. Special attention is given to businesses in Enterprise Zones. Applications can be approved within three to five days. For more information, contact CareerSource at 727-524-4344 or the City of St. Petersburg Economic Development Department at 727-893-7100. 

H-1B Technical Skills Training Grant Program

This program was created in response to businesses' concern that there was a skills gap for domestic technology workers that caused a high number of foreign workers to enter the U.S. using H-1B visas. A portion of fees paid by businesses for the H-1B visas is returned as a grant for training of domestic workers in targeted high technology areas. Visit the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration’s official web page on this program. 

Incumbent Worker Training

This customized training program is available for existing companies needing assistance in training incumbent workers. Special priority is given to those Florida companies with 50 employees or fewer, in rural areas or distressed inner-city areas, or whose grant proposals represent a significant upgrade to employee skills. Training services can be provided through a Florida public education institution or a licensed and certified private institution; conducted at the business's own facility, at the training provider's facility or at a combination of both; and instructors may be either full or part-time educators or professional trainers from the business. Reimbursable training expenses include instructor/trainer salaries, curriculum development, textbooks/manuals and materials and supplies. All reimbursements must be pre-approved by the grant administrator and businesses must provide a matching contribution to the training program. For more information, contact CareerSource at 727-524-4344 or the City of St. Petersburg Economic Development Department at 727-893-7100. 

Industry Services Training

Basic employee training, consulting, and technical assistance services provided at a low cost through the Pinellas County School Board's Industry Service Training Program. Contact the Pinellas Technical Education Center in St. Petersburg 727-893-2500 x 1026 or 1050 or Clearwater 727-538-7167 x 1095, 1072, or 1060.

Success Training & Retention Services

An employment readiness training program that prepares the inexperienced, unemployed, or underemployed to meet current workforce demands. Program trainees receive three weeks of intensive skills and development training. Contact the Pinellas Technical Education Center 7270893-2500 x 1132.

St. Petersburg College

St. Petersburg College (SPC), through its Workforce Institute, is under contract with the City of St. Petersburg to provide workforce development services to residents of the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area. SPC serves approximately 37,000 students per year across 10 campuses and online. SPC offers more than 110 degree and certificate programs, including two dozen baccalaureate degrees. A variety of short-term, online certificate programs in emergent industries are also available for students to complete. The Institute offers programs that prepare those with social and economic challenges through career counselling, vocational training, and soft skills workshops.