Project OPEN
Project Open
Project OPEN transforms the lives of precariously housed and low income individuals, many with children, veterans and the homeless.
Through partnerships and collaboration, customized skills certification courses are designed to meet the needs of our candidates and provide tools necessary to advance a positive career path. Project Open breaks the cycle of poverty
Free certified training right here at home for qualified candidates*
Offerings Include:
- Heavy Equipment Operator
- Computer Numerical Control
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Welding II
- Electronic Board Assembly
- Mechatronics
- Certified Medical Assistant
Programs are available close to home in Osceola County at Valencia College. Programs scheduled throughout the year and programs vary in length. Each curriculum has differing qualifications,
timeframes and prerequisites. *Scholarships are dependent on income verification and eligibility requirements.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
WHAT: Project El Faro provides displaced victims of hurricane Maria with the tools and support
necessary to improve their marketable skills towards employment through an individualized approach of
language, ESOL-English as a second language and if needed, certification training.
WHY: In 2017 Hurricane Maria changed live of millions of lives. Homes were destroyed, lives were lost,
families were left feeling helpless and hopeless. Osceola County changed as thousands of evacuees sought to start a new life here and we proudly saw our community band together and welcome them with open arms. We recognize that language barriers represent a challenge for Hurricane Maria evacuees who primarily speak Spanish and now call Central Florida their home, limiting their employment opportunities despite their marketable skills and experience. Additionally, certifications and degrees obtained in evacuees’ homeland (e.g., Puerto Rico) are not always viable in the United States.
HOW: Our goal is to transform the lives of 20-30 Hurricane Maria evacuees by providing a collaborative,
comprehensive, long-term solution. We aim to eliminate the barriers associated with displacement via
education, employment, and high-touch support.
We provide participants with:
- In partnership with the Adult Learning Center of Osceola (ALCO)
- Individualized English training, meeting each participant at their respective English
comprehension level - Onsite/online training, providing participants with flexible options
- Personalized progress-tracking, consistently assessing for sufficient comprehension to begin certification training or seek employment
- Individualized English training, meeting each participant at their respective English
- In partnership with the Valencia College and the Osceola Technical College (oTECH)
- Customized short-term certification training in advanced manufacturing/health careers
- Financial literacy/job-readiness training as needed
- Immediate connection to prominent employers post-graduation
- Case management/wrap-around services to ensure participant success
