Workforce Recovery Training Program offers tuition assistance

The Workforce Recovery Training Program at Chipola College is now underway with the onset of Spring classes, and funds are available to cover program participants’ tuition and fees.

The WRTP is a public service program administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s to support economic revitalization activities for hurricane recovery. The program was developed to address the unmet need for skilled trades and specialized training and is supported with a Community Development Block Grant for Disaster Recovery funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Chipola College is one of nine designated sites in Florida to receive these block grants after hurricanes Irma and Michael.

The WRTP grant provides workforce training for individuals in the most impacted and distressed areas from Hurricane Michael through job training in construction occupations and services. Career and support services are provided to help with successful training, job readiness and job placement assistance. The WRTP will be in place through August 2025 in Chipola's Welding and Construction Technology Programs.

Instructor Chris Parrish leads the Chipola welding program, which utilizes state-of-the-art welding equipment, mobile welding units and simulation technologies. A 1,050-clock hour Welding Technology course is available with an additional 750-hour Advanced Welding Program for interested students.

Chipola’s Building Construction Technology program, led by instructor Scott Phelps, prepares students for employment or advanced training. The 1,050-clock hour program covers electrical, plumbing, heating/ventilation/air-conditioning, masonry, carpentry, and the use of hand and power tools. Workforce Florida projects annual statewide growth of 13,500 jobs in advanced manufacturing and construction.

Call 850-526-2761 or come in today to apply for the upcoming Summer and Fall 2023 terms .