The CEP’s talent development initiative called NEXTworks exist because we believe the next generation works by engaging businesses with Marion County Public Schools and Career Technical Education (CTE) educators along with our higher education providers.
The NEXTworks talent development initiative seeks to develop training programs and tools that align with what our business community needs. Students get real world application in these career paths businesses are aligned with high schools to create a pipeline and give kids access to opportunities they may not have been aware existed. This builds awareness of what careers are available here locally in fields like construction, healthcare, equine, technology, robotics, and logistics.
One example is the partnership between Bellview High School and Optimum RV who is also the NEXTworks presenting sponsor. The RV industry is an exploding sector and servicing those vehicles is a skill that requires special training and significant earning potential. Through this partnership, students receive classroom instruction at Bellview and then spend a portion of their day at the Optimum facility getting hands-on experience. A fully certified RV technician can earn well over $100,000/year.
It is one of the many lanes for students who are not targeting a university degree but are interested in furthering their education through certifications and training programs while working. A growing number of opportunities exist for our local youth to move from school right into the local job market and make good money without a university degree.
Other opportunities require training which can be attained here in our community. The CEP is partnering with the school district, the College of Central Florida, and Rasmussen University to market programs that are available. Through various NEXTwork events students find out what paths are available to them not only from educations but directly from business leaders.
With the incredible growth in the Ocala Metro it is more important than ever for the CEP and the business community to partner with our local educators to create and develop the talent pipeline.
