State Program Offers Job Opportunity to Florida Hospital

The Jobs Partnership of Florida Offers Unique Opportunity for People in Difficult Circumstances to Pursue a Nursing Career at Florida Hospital

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 23, 2007 - Faith Kirkwood, a 24-year-old, single mother of two, had given up on her dream of becoming a nurse.  Tasked with raising two children on her own, Faith believed she did not have the money or the time to complete the nursing degree she started years ago.  Now, thanks to The Jobs Partnership of Florida's newest training program, Faith will take the first step toward her nursing career by graduating with a full-time job as a Patient Care Technician at Florida Hospital in Orlando.

"It was such an inspiration to have people believe in you and help you achieve your dreams, especially when you've given up on them and don't believe they are possible," said Faith about her experience in the program.  "Now I believe in myself and I am on the way to pursuing my dream of being a registered nurse."

The mentoring and job training program "Earn While You Learn," a collaboration between The Jobs Partnership of Florida, Florida Hospital, Orlando Tech, WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA (WCF), Orange County Government, and 1-800-Charity Cars, helps women like Faith pursue a career in nursing by training them for a  position as Patient Care Technicians at Florida Hospital.  The Jobs Partnership of Florida provides a 12-week "Life & Work" training class that prepares candidates by teaching them employability skills for success on the job.  In addition, Orlando Tech provides 8 weeks of technical skills training required for employment as a Patient Care Technician at Florida Hospital.  All of the candidates receive a training wage through a grant from WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA, providing 100 percent of the training costs and a source of income during the intensive training process, in addition to the WCF Online training. On Thursday, August 23, Faith and the rest of the students who completed the program will officially graduate at a ceremony held at the Florida Hospital Seventh-day Adventist Church. 

The "Life & Work" classes offered in the "Earn While You Learn" program were modified to specifically prepare participants for a nursing career at Florida Hospital.  In addition to the faith-based life skills training taught by local pastors, instructors from Florida Hospital delivered training on the organization's core values and coached students in order to inspire and equip them for success at work.

"I am very proud of all of the students who have participated in this program and went through this life changing transformation," said Annette Carter, Florida Hospital Nursing Administrator, who developed and implemented the nursing portion of the new program with The Jobs Partnership of Florida.  "I look forward to working with them at Florida Hospital in their new roles as Patient Care Technicians and am excited to welcome them as part of our Florida Hospital family."

In addition, essential recruiting and comprehensive support services, including child care and case management, were provided by Orange County Community Action. 

Finally, vehicles donated by 1-800-Charity Cars will be presented to graduates of the program who are in need of transportation, removing one of the biggest barriers for employment retention.  

"Many folks in our community have been denied access to meaningful job opportunities for reasons beyond their control," said Marc Stanakis, Executive Director of The Jobs Partnership of Florida.  "Our vision is to connect the resources of the local church through business and community partnerships so that people are inspired and equipped for success at life and work."

Faith is excited about her future and looking forward to starting her new position at Florida Hospital in September.  In January she plans to go back to school at Valencia Community College and finish her prerequisites for her Nursing degree.  After that she plans to attend the Florida Hospital College to become a Registered Nurse.

About The Jobs Partnership of Florida

The Jobs Partnership of Florida is a unique collaboration of church, business and community partnerships that offers an innovative approach to workforce development, providing a lasting solution to the challenges of poverty, low self-esteem and inconsistent work ethic in today's workplace by training people on work-relevant biblical principles and building strategic relationships for the sake of individual and community transformation.

About Florida Hospital

Opened in 1908, Florida Hospital is one of the largest not-for-profit hospitals in the country, caring for more than a million patients per year - that's more than any other hospital in the country, according to the American Hospital Association.  The more than 1,900 -bed system, comprised of seven hospitals and 16 Centra Care locations, has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best hospitals in the country for the past nine years. 

About WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA

WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA is the region's workforce expert, helping over 4,700 employers connect with more than 38,000 job seekers. WCF offers innovative solutions to assist Central Florida businesses succeed in today's highly competitive workforce, while providing the tools job seekers need to find or advance in their current career.  For more information, visit WCF online at www.WorkforceCentralFlorida.com.

About Orange County Community Action

Orange County Community Action Division serves as the County's antipoverty agency and is charged with addressing poverty through programs and services such as, job training, placement assistance, meals and activities for youth and seniors, access to computer labs and GED classes, though various community partners.   

For more information, contact The Jobs Partnership of Florida at 407-235-1522.

www.JobsPartnershipFL.org

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