Southwest Florida College named training provider

Finding a job often means learning new skills, and mastering those skills often means a trip back to school, where advanced education and professional development can be costly. Some of that expense can be defrayed with student loans - and now with additional help from federal economicstimulus funds.

Last month, Gov. Charlie Crist announced the release of $165 million in federal economic stimulus founds to local workforce boards for additional job placement and job training for the people of Florida. Gov. Crist said the funds would help by providing workforce training for unemployed Floridians and would also help businesses by improving their workers' skills.

"These federal stimulus funds will be dedicated to a wide variety of training and job placement services," said Agency for Workforce Innovation Interim Director Cynthia Lorenzo. "One of our aims is to assist Floridians at One-Stop Career Centers around the state."

Florida Workforce Development Board has approved Southwest Flori- da College, an accredited, non-profit career college with four area campus, as a training provider.

"Workforce Development has been given a substantial amount of money to be used for workforce training as part of a larger effort to tackle the unemployment situation," said Dr. Stephen Calabro, executive vice president at Southwest Florida College. Depending upon applicants' eligibility factors and their need, students can receive significant funds for tuition support. Funds are readily available to those who are eligible on a first come, first serve basis.

Southwest Florida College has a number of short-term programs for careers in high-demand fields. The Workforce Development monies, combined with other resources, can substantially reduce the cost of education for qualified applicants.

"Our participation with Workforce Development provides a wonderful opportunity for students to acquire new job skills or improve upon existing skills while they are working towards a diploma or a degree," said Dr. Calabro.

Individuals interested in receiving training through the College's affiliation with the Florida Workforce Development Board should call 888-526-7973 or visit their local Workforce Development office.

Southwest Florida College has four campuses, located in Fort Myers, Tampa, Port Charlotte and Estero, with the Institute of Interior Design located within the International Design Center.

For more information, call toll free 888-526-7973 or visit www.swfc.edu.