SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A program at Seminole State College is helping residents across Seminole County gain new skills and access to educational opportunities they may not have had before.
What You Need To Know
Seminole Commits launched in 2022 with $1 million in American Rescue Plan funding
The program offers free classes, including GED prep, English courses, and workforce training
Nearly 1,200 students have participated so far
Leaders say the goal is to help unemployed and underserved residents gain skills for better jobs
The initiative, called Seminole Commits, launched in 2022 with funding from Seminole County through the American Rescue Plan Act. Leaders say the goal was to help people who lost jobs or struggled during the pandemic gain new skills and return to the workforce.
“The A.R.P.A. funding from Seminole County gave us $1 million to work with the community, especially adult learners, to remove those barriers to education,” said Amy Kirkland, associate vice president of resource and economic development at Seminole State College.
The program offers free courses for adults 18 and older, including GED preparation, English classes, workforce training, and hands-on programs like culinary classes. Organizers say the classes are designed to help unemployed, underemployed and underserved residents gain skills that could lead to better job opportunities.
One of those students is Lin Welch, who is currently enrolled in Culinary II through the program.
Welch served in both the Air Force and the Navy and spent part of his military career working in kitchens preparing meals for service members. He said joining the program gave him the chance to reconnect with those skills.
“The reason that I joined this program is because I am a resident here, and they needed somebody to be in the first class, and I went, OK,” Welch said.
Welch says the experience has helped him regain confidence while learning new techniques.
“It’s designed to get you started in that direction so that you can be employable and useful,” he said.
Since launching, nearly 1,200 students have participated in Seminole Commits courses. Kirkland says the program works to remove barriers that often prevent adults from continuing their education.
“We are here to serve the unemployed, underemployed, or underserved communities,” Kirkland said.
Leaders say the program partners with community organizations and teaches courses directly in neighborhoods to make them more accessible.
Seminole State officials say they plan to continue expanding the program with new classes, including event planning and utility line worker training, while continuing the culinary courses for students interested in hospitality careers.