About Us

Made Possible by Nearly $23 Million in Federal Funding – the Largest Grant in FGCU History

The SWFL Equitable Jobs Pipeline will connect underemployed and unemployed Southwest Florida residents to training, jobs and other supports. This regional collaboration is developing a long-term solution to reduce barriers. Because talent lives here – but needs a path to opportunity.

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1,700+

Individuals targeted for new or better-paying jobs

$22.9M

Good Jobs Challenge grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration 

5

Counties targeted (Lee, Collier, Hendry, Glades, Charlotte)

Our Target Industries

  • Healthcare

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  • Manufacturing

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  • Logistics

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  • PK-12 Public Education

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Interested in careers in one of of these industries?

Get involved today!

Pipeline Phases

System Development (now through May 2023) includes:

  • Formalizing partnership agreements and commitments to hire
  • Refining analysis of regional skills gap to determine which existing or new credential programs will prepare job seekers for unfilled jobs
  • Recruiting job seekers through employers, training partners, nonprofits and local government

Program Design (June 2023-February 2024) includes:

  • Finalizing credential programs targeted to employer-identified jobs and contracts with education partners
  • Coordinating wraparound services for job seekers, such as language assistance, transportation and child care
  • Developing a sustainability plan based on metrics

Program Implementation (March 2024-August 2025) includes:

  • Using data to make program revisions and plan sustainability
  • Scaling up credential programs in each industry sector, as employer needs dictate
  • Engaging mid-size and small businesses to determine need for additional targeted training and credentials
  • Continuing to support trainees along a career pathway after they are hired

In The News

Read and explore stories in the news featuring the Southwest Florida Equitable Jobs Pipeline initiative.


FGCU Regional Economic Research Institute (RERI)

The institute studies the regional and state economy and conducts on-demand economic research of issues pertaining to Southwest Florida. Research includes areas such as economic development and forecasting, economic impact analysis and surveys.

Learn about RERI >


Research & Reports

In support of the Southwest Florida Equitable Jobs Pipeline, various research and data-tracking elements are available now and will grow as the program expands.

Explore our research

Contact the Pipeline team

This investment in our regional workforce will change many lives for generations to come.

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Media Requests

Contact:

Melanie Schmees

Manager, Sponsored Programs

239-745-4554

mschmees@fgcu.edu