Campus & Community

With the goal of developing a local talent pool for local employers, the City of Boynton Beach, Palm Beach State College, and CareerSource Palm Beach County are partnering to provide college credit certificate programs for City of Boynton Beach residents. The Workforce Readiness Initiative will help those who are unemployed, underemployed, or simply looking for a career change, to gain the in-demand skills that meet the City’s specific employment needs.

City of Boynton Beach Mayor Ty Penserga announced the launch of the initiative at his City Hall Social on April 27.

“I have spoken to so many residents who want to get hired in the businesses that are here in the city, and the disconnect is that the companies—for example, Publix—are looking for certain expertise,” Penserga said. “It’s time for us to fill that education and skills gap and align what our employers need with the kind of educational opportunities we provide for our residents. This way, people who live here can actually work in the city and be part of the prosperity that’s happening in our business community right now.”

Initially, City of Boynton Beach residents will have the choice of two PBSC college credit certificate programs:

• The 12-credit Business Specialist program prepares students for a wide range of entry-level positions through a focus on business fundamentals, such as business software, operations and marketing.
• The 18-credit Logistics and Transportation Specialist program teaches marketable skills in logistics information systems, materials and inventory planning, transportation and distribution, and supply chain management.

The programs will be available for enrollment this summer, and CareerSource Palm Beach County will offer tuition support for eligible participants. Dates and application information will be announced in the near future.

“This collaboration with the City of Boynton Beach exemplifies how Palm Beach State is the go-to higher education partner in Palm Beach County for advancing economic opportunities for residents,” said PBSC President Ava L. Parker. “We applaud Mayor Penserga and the city’s commissioners for taking steps to upskill the city’s workforce and prepare residents for careers in high-demand fields such as logistics and supply chain management right in their own community.”

For more information about the Workforce Readiness Initiative, contact Deborah Gordon, director, PBSC Corporate and Continuing Education, at 561-868-3700 or email CCE@palmbeachstate.edu.