Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Workforce Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Seminole State College reports ARPA‑funded 'Seminole State Commits' served nearly 1,200 residents
Summary
College and county staff reported results from Seminole State Commits, an ARPA-funded workforce and adult education program (06/14/2022–12/31/2025, total ARPA $1,350,000). Presenters cited ~1,200 participants, 83% attendance, 73% completion, 50 ServSafe certifications, 25 ESOL transitions and 14 GEDs.
Seminole State College officials on Feb. 10 presented the final report for Seminole State Commits, a county‑partnership education and workforce initiative funded with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars.
Guy Cunha, Seminole County director of economic development and tourism, introduced Associate Vice President Amy Kirkland of Seminole State College, who told the Board the program ran from June 14, 2022 through Dec. 31, 2025 and was funded with $1,350,000 in ARPA money (an initial $350,000 award plus a $1,000,000 amendment). Kirkland said the initiative was designed to remove cost and access barriers by delivering short, practical training in community locations and through online options.
Kirkland summarized participation and outcomes: the program served nearly 1,200 students overall, achieved an 83% attendance rate and a 73% course completion rate. Highlighted results included 50 ServSafe food‑handler certificates, 25 participants who transitioned into Seminole State’s ESOL classes, and 14 students who earned a GED. Programming included GED prep, ESOL, culinary training, business communications, job readiness, digital-skills offerings and pilot line‑worker training.
Kirkland said staff continue to collect outcome data (certifications, transitions and job placements) because the program only recently concluded. She also noted that Seminole State is pursuing continued partnerships and funding with Bank of America, Duke Energy, Heart of Florida United Way and the Westgate Foundation to sustain select program elements beyond ARPA.
Commissioners thanked college and county staff for the partnership and asked for follow‑up on specific course continuations (for example, making business communications a continuing course) and on more granular outcome measures such as placement and certification rates. Staff committed to provide follow‑up data to commissioners.
