CareerEdge Funders Collaborative releases 2024 impact report

CareerEdge Funders Collaborative, a workforce initiative of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, has released data demonstrating its 2024 efforts resulted in an economic impact of $3.1 million for the local economy. 

The annual evaluation of the program shows its impact on the Sarasota-Bradenton economy, including more than $1.3 million invested in workforce development, almost $2.1 million in added wages, 486 workers trained, 117 new jobs, 213 new employment opportunities and 259 workers earning raises. The report includes other metrics including demographics by gender, ethnicity, certifications earned by industry and increases in annual wages per program.

The CareerEdge “Bridges to Careers” program enhances skills and earning capacity by providing training to earn credentials in high-demand occupations such as certified nursing assistants and technicians in the trade skills. In 2024, the program provided training to 53 trainees across six programs, partnering with seven local education providers. Trainees included 26 certified nursing assistants, six electricians, 12 HVAC technicians and nine diesel mechanics.

According to a news release, one key performance indicator used to measure the impact of the program is pre- and post-training wage, which shows an average difference of $9.17, totaling more than $1 million in annual earnings gains for program graduates.

Since its inception in 2010, CareerEdge and its employer partners have invested $18.4 million, providing training for 8,141 workers resulting in 1,837 promotions, 5,192 raises and $42 million in workers’ aggregate annual earnings. Funders in 2024 include Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Sarasota County Government, Bank of America, Eppard Family Foundation, Florida Blue Foundation, Regions Bank Foundation and Truist Foundation.

To access the full report, visit SarasotaChamber.com/careeredge-funders-collaborative.