(Bradenton, Fla., July 25, 2023) — Seventy-eight middle and high school students from 28 Bradenton-Sarasota schools will graduate this week from “The Power of YOU” job skills training and summer internship program as part of a partnership between State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota’s (SCF) 26 West Center and CareerSource Suncoast.

“Nothing is more important than developing our future workforce here in the Bradenton-Sarasota area. This unique experiential learning program gives our local middle and high school students a head start on their careers and helps local companies and organizations identify and grow future talent,” said SCF Executive Vice President and Provost Todd G. Fritch.

“Our partnership with the 26 West Center at State College of Florida perfectly complements the CareerSource Suncoast Summer Youth Employment Program. We can offer youth that may not otherwise have access to these skills and experiences an opportunity to learn job skills in the classroom and the workplace,” according to Joshua S. Matlock, Chief Executive Officer, CareerSource Suncoast.

Graduating students completed the four-part program that began on May 30, 2023. The program included an interactive one-day workshop taught by instructor coaches at the 26 West Center, a Career Fair that featured 18 local employers, six-week-long internships, and weekly online reflective assignments with feedback from the instructor coaches who provided mentoring and support to the participants. The graduation program will feature two graduate speakers: Joshawna Grooms, 14, who attends Southeast High School, and Micah Hill, 18, a student at Booker High School, who will speak about their experiences in the program.