Celebrating Economic Excellence & Companies “Making it Martin”
December 19, 2024
Area non-profit organizations with dedicated skills training programs focused on developing alternative or untapped workforce opportunities, helping businesses meet the demand across a diverse spectrum of industries.
Organizations listed appear alphabetically.
Fee for service: No
Advanced Employment Services, a division of the ARC, assists individuals with physical, mental, and intellectual disabilities in securing competitive employment in their community. A dedicated Employment Consultant provides pre-employment skills training, such as developing employment goals, completing job applications, interview preparation, and on-site interview support. Once employed, on-site job coaching services include assistance in learning job tasks, facilitating workplace accommodations, and providing ongoing employee and employer support.
ARC expands into food service training by purchasing Alice’s Family Restaurant, A Caring Cafe. The fully operational restaurant will train and employ individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The intensive training of individuals with disabilities and low-income clientele is focused on employment preparedness. The goal is to develop successful candidates who can be employed by companies like Publix, restaurants, and other food providers, including ACC.
Project SEARCH Adult—This program serves adults (18+) with disabilities. The Project SEARCH Transition to Work program is a unique, business-led, one-year employment preparation program that takes place entirely at the workplace. During the course of nine months, participants have the opportunity to complete three internships in various departments of the host site. ARC specialists assist with the transition into competitive employment in the community.
Fee for service: No
Fee for service: No
Dedicated to serving Martin County businesses, this non-profit, founded by the Stuart/Martin Chamber of Commerce, assists local businesses in finding and securing employees. It also provides support and assistance to residents who are looking for new career opportunities. Career Connect helps them prepare for employment with resume writing, soft skills training, and interview training and matches them to the right employer.
Jobseeker Services:
Employer Services:
Learn more about CareerConnect Martin and view their annual impact here.
Fee for service: Yes, fees may apply
The chapman school is a non-profit maritime school in Stuart, FL. Since opening their doors in 1971, they have trained over 30,000 students with their “Learn at the Helm” approach.
Professional Mariner Training: This prestigious program provides graduates with the valuable skills necessary for a career in the marine industry’s commercial and pleasure yacht sectors. For experienced mariners, the PMT program opens new doors and advancement opportunities. For those with little or no experience, the Chapman School diploma provides high credibility among prospective employers. Professional Mariner Training delivers a competitive edge for those seeking employment in a highly specialized field. Upon successful completion of PMT, graduates with sufficient sea time experience may also qualify for a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential.
Yamaha Marine Maintenance Certification Program: Chapman School has partnered with Yamaha Marine University and now offers a Yamaha Marine Maintenance Certification Program. Become certified to maintain Yamaha outboard engines through our 9-week hands-on training program. Graduates of this program can advance into maritime industry careers as Marine Technicians specializing in outboard engine operation and maintenance.
Yacht & Small Craft Surveying: Dubbed “The Industry Standard,” this program prepares students to enter the field of marine surveying as confident professionals. This course is designed to equip the student to recognize, evaluate, and communicate findings so as to leave no doubt as to the vessel’s condition at the time of the survey. This program is a great prerequisite to insurance adjusting.
Fee for service: Yes, fees may apply
Employment Options helps adults with disabilities find and maintain competitive employment in the community. Follow Along is an employment retention program for individuals with significant disabilities. Retention Specialists work with participants to help them advocate for themselves and any accommodations they may need, create and/or maintain natural supports, and learn new job tasks to ensure lasting employment.
Project SEARCH is a unique one-year school-to-work program that provides real-life work experience, combined with training in employability and independent living skills, to help young adults with disabilities make a successful transition from school to productive adult life.
Fee for service: No
House of Hope helps individuals find opportunities to earn a living wage, gain new experiences, and find local career paths. They offer various workforce development and support services for job seekers and regional employers.
Support services include individualized career coaching, hosting networking events to connect partnered local businesses with talent, internships for expanded learning opportunities, and linkage with other community resources that support sustained employment.
Fee for service: No
Project LIFT serves adolescent boys and girls still attending high school and offers a Career Rising program for older teens and young adults through age 24. Project Lift also focuses on vocational training, job readiness, and employability to address local workforce demands. At no cost, at-risk teens and young adults engage in hands-on paid training in welding, carpentry, construction, automotive repair, electrical, and marine mechanics while licensed therapists work with them to address issues including depression, substance use, trauma, and anger management.
Soft skills are also a key area of focus, including time management, interview skills, and workplace communication. Random drug testing is conducted for all participants weekly. Industry partners are encouraged to collaborate with us to provide training opportunities and cultivate prospective employees by removing the stigma associated with vocational training and empowering at-risk students to develop the dignity that results from mastering a skilled trade.
Workforce training programs have included those for construction trades, electricians and HVAC trades, automotive and welding, as well as many other industry demands.
Transformation starts at Project Lift, click here to read their 2023/2024 Impact Report.
Fee for service: Yes, fees may apply
The REACH Center, which will open in early 2025, is a collaboration between the Martin County Board of Commissioners, Witham Field, Indian River State College, Career Source Research Coast, and several private sector companies. Its purpose-built curriculum will focus on reskilling and upskilling adults for manufacturing positions in high-demand industries such as aviation and marine.
As the opening of the REACH Center draws near, watch this recent WPTV interview with George Stokus, Martin County Assistant Administrator.
Fee for service: No
Fee for service: No
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