Graphic courtesy Elevate Data.

A program of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce helped ease the cost of internships at local companies. Meanwhile, collective efforts to train and improve skillsets helped residents in the region collectively boost their income by millions.

In total, CareerEdge Funders Collaborative helped residents of the greater Sarasota region boost their annual earnings by $3 million in 2022. That’s according to a comprehensive annual report by Elevate Data on the workforce development program’s impact on the local economy.

The annual evaluation looked at the investments and returns for CareerEdge, a program launched in 2010 that focuses on helping improve the workforce and give individuals the skills needed for career advancement.

About $1.16 million was invested in the program in 2022, helping provide training to 501 employees in the region and certifications for 689. The effort provides on-the-job training and reimbursements for paid internships, as well as a Bridge to Careers fast-tracking program and upskilling efforts that have led directly toward increases in wages.

That resulted in some immediate benefits for hundreds of employees. The evaluation found 168 workers involved in the program land promotions this year, and a total of 230 received raises.

The report includes testimony both from workers and employers involved in the CareerEdge programming.

“Mentors provided me with support and encouragement throughout the internship,” reads a comment from a participant. “They were knowledgeable and patient. They presented me with challenges and assisted me with any issues I may have had. Extremely kind staff that genuinely cares about helping me succeed.”

The internship program through CareerEdge provides up to $1,500 to companies to supplement the cost of taking on interns, and will provide that to a business for up to two interns each year. More than half of the 21 internships tied to the program last year were in the manufacturing industry, and 10 of those individuals ended up landing jobs with employers.

During internships, the interns made between $13 and $22 an hour. The average cost employers paid jumped 23% last year from prior years, up to $16.17 an hour.

All of the interns in the program praised the effort.

“Before the internship I had no idea how a real job would look. It is a much faster pace and now I know what to expect,” one intern told evaluators.

Employers also voices satisfaction from participating. “This program allows my office to build a pipeline of new talent into our organization,” one executive said. “It also helps us pay it forward with students who otherwise might not get the opportunity to see how the business world operates.”

Graphic courtesy Elevate Data.