Ribbon Cutting Line (from left to right): Mark Wiley, CSCF Chair and President & CEO of the Central Florida Chapter
Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.; Dr. Stanley Sidor, Lake-Sumter State College President; Pamela Nabors,
CSCF President & CEO; Ken Lawson, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director; and Leslie
Campione, Lake County Commissioner, District 4
CareerSource Central Florida (CSCF) announced its new location at Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) in a grand opening ceremony with community leaders, government officials and business partners throughout both counties. This first-ever college-based CSCF career center aligns an educational institution with the local workforce board to connect career seekers – particularly those students or alumni who may be working towards an associate degree or advanced skills training – and businesses to deliver qualified talent.
Tailored and shaped by deep community knowledge, relationships and partnerships, CSCF provides talent solutions ranging from career coaching services, skills training, educational programs, and screening and hiring talent. Based on workforce intelligence and needs of the local high-growth industries, last fiscal year, CSCF served more than 6,000 individuals in Lake and Sumter Counties and provided training to over 500 residents to help advance their skills. More than 1,000 career seekers were connected to employment opportunities and over 380 local businesses partnered with CSCF to support their hiring and training needs in both counties. The top two industries supported were Healthcare and Advanced Manufacturing, representing 40 percent and 20 percent, respectively, of the total businesses served.
The newly imagined space, located in LSSC’s Building M in the south end, is centrally located for students as well as residents in Lake and Sumter Counties and will enhance access to career development services through affordable, reduced-cost programs, internships, and annual training scholarships.
“This new center was envisioned to represent the valuable partnerships with Lake-Sumter State College and other educational institutions such as Lake Technical College to not only help build professional skills for area residents but to deliver qualified talent to businesses that meet employment demands,” stated Pamela Nabors, CareerSource Central Florida’s President and CEO. “Our presence is a true symbol of the strong collaboration between CSCF and the community leaders, government officials and business partners of Lake and Sumter Counties.”
“We are excited to launch this expanded partnership with CSCF to provide employment support to our students, alumni, and entire local community at our convenient Leesburg Campus,” said Dr. Stanley Sidor, President of Lake-Sumter State College. “The innovative new center allows us to advance our mission of preparing students for and connecting them to high demand, high wage jobs.”