Lee County grant funds ‘micro-credential’ classes at FGCU, FSW and Hodges

A new grant is providing training to future employees, giving candidates the skill sets they need to land a job, who otherwise wouldn’t have access to it.

With glasses on and a pen in hand, Zhishan Liang looks like a typical student, but this isn’t your typical class.

“It really gave me a new skill set that I didn’t have before,” Zhishan explained.

He signed up to take a ‘micro-credential’ class. It’s a class designed to teach specific skill sets that employers in Southwest Florida want and are struggling to hire for.

There are also classes in artificial intelligence, cyber security, medical device fundamentals, and construction management.

Commissioner Brian Hamman said anyone who lives in Lee County can apply, adding, “This will help them get those skills to go from maybe the hospitality position that they’re in right now to that management or professional type position that they’ve always wanted, he explained.

You can take these classes, some of them free, at Hodges, Florida SouthWestern, and FGCU.

Aysegul Timur said, “We design these programs. Our faculty members and the industry leaders and employers sit in the same room talking about what skills we see missing, and where are the skills gaps? And what can we do to close these skill gaps.”

Hamman said he believes Lee County’s workforce is strong but can be better because the need for a larger workforce and more skilled workforce continues to rise. “We’ve got a great local company in Arthrex, who’s actually guaranteed an interview for people who create who complete this micro-credential. I think that’s an exciting opportunity.”

Employers get the qualified people they need and employees get the money they want.

The universities are able to offer these programs to so many people thanks to a grant from Lee County.

If you want to take advantage and apply to enroll in a course at FGCU click here.