These are ongoing Suncoast Workforce programs and initiatives addressing current and future needs in our community.

Construction Technology Careers (CTC)
The Construction Technology Careers Initiative is a joint venture among the School Boards of Manatee and Sarasota Counties, local trades organizations and businesses and the Suncoast Workforce.

The mission is to recruit high school juniors and seniors into the preapprenticeship programs at Manatee Technical Institute (MTI) and / or Sarasota County Technical Institute (SCTI). Students spend half a day at their high school and the other half in courses at MTI or SCTI learning on-the-job safety and basic tool operations for Carpentry, Electricity, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Masonry, Plumbing. Students may spend the summer in the on-the-job training activities with employers. After graduation, students are encouraged to pursue apprenticeship training.

Visit the CTC website

Contact CTC

Community Entrepreneur Opportunity (CEO)
The CEO business-training program is for individuals interested in starting or improving small businesses. It provides core instruction for entrepreneurs to produce a business plan in class time and with one-on-one assistance. Courses include business basics, industry analysis, marketing, operations and financials.

Entrepreneurs who complete the CEO business-training program may be eligible to apply for CEO micro loan funds. Classes are held at NO COST to participants because of a generous sponsorship from Comerica Bank. Representatives of SCORE and the Small Business Development Center located at Manatee Community College's Business Resource Center coordinated the CEO program in partnership with the Suncoast Workforce and the City of Sarasota Newtown Redevelopment Office and the city/county Enterprise Zone Development Agency.

For further information on the CEO program contact:

Dru Jones
Economic Development Coordinator
Planning and Redevelopment Department
City of Sarasota - Newtown Redevelopment Office
1782 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Sarasota, FL 34234
Phone: 941-373-7780