Workforce Development Partners

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Workforce Development Partners Innovating & collaborating for workforce solutions! FUTURE CAREER ACADEMY prepares & connects students to great jobs & training opportunities.

BEST FLORIDA JOBS bridges & elevates individuals to long-term career growth & sustainable employment.

FCA Business Panel | Day 2 🎤 533 seniors. 2 Hillsborough County Public Schools. 17 industry representatives across 9 in...
10/07/2026

FCA Business Panel | Day 2 🎤

533 seniors. 2 Hillsborough County Public Schools.

17 industry representatives across 9 industries.

Today, South Tampa seniors at Jefferson High School and Robinson High School connected with professionals through Business Panels and explored local career opportunities, education and training pathways, and the skills employers are looking for across the 4 pathways: Employment, Enlistment, Enrollment, and Entrepreneurship.

A moment that stood out: A student asked, “You mean I can enlist in the military and serve in a job that isn’t on the front lines?”

One question opened the door to a much bigger conversation about the many career opportunities available across our military branches—including pathways that provide valuable training, certifications, and benefits.

Sometimes, one question can change how a student sees what’s possible.

That’s the power of the Future Career Academy’s year-long senior activation experience.

ASL Career Connection at Robinson: Members of the ASL Leadership group took turns interpreting and signing throughout the panel as part of their continued practice and learning. Multiple employers also shared that their organizations recognize ASL as part of its bilingual pay incentives, creating a great connection between what students are learning and how those skills can translate into the workplace.

Business Panels are one touchpoint within a broader FCA system designed to help students explore, prepare, connect, and launch as they move toward life after high school.

Thank you to today’s employer partners for showing up, sharing your experiences, and helping students see what their future could look like:

The Bank of Tampa
Florida Blue
Hillsborough County Clerk of Court & Comptroller
Ice Cold Air Complete Auto Repair
Publix
Tampa General Hospital
Tampa Electric
Military Recruiting Office Tampa Battalion - U.S. Army
HCPS Career Technical & Adult Education

And thank you to our school leadership teams for the collaboration and continued commitment to creating meaningful senior activation experiences.

Special thank you to the Jefferson High School Culinary Team for welcoming our team and preparing such a thoughtful luncheon. Students demonstrated incredible creativity, professionalism, and attention to detail from start to finish!

We’re also grateful to our VIP guests and community partners who joined us to learn more about FCA and see our senior activation work in action. Your time, perspective, and partnership help strengthen the network of support surrounding our students.

Interested in helping students develop a plan for their future?

Connect with our team to learn how you can support the Future Career Academy.

https://workforcedevelopmentpartners.com/contact/

FCA Business Panel | Day 1 🎤 1,344 seniors. 4 Hillsborough County Public Schools19 industry representatives across 12 in...
10/06/2026

FCA Business Panel | Day 1 🎤

1,344 seniors. 4 Hillsborough County Public Schools

19 industry representatives across 12 industries.

Business Panels are one part of the Future Career Academy’s year-long senior activation experience, connecting students to employers and real-world career insight as they explore what comes next.

Today, seniors at:

• Steinbrenner High School
• Alonso High School Ravens
• Sickles High School
• A. P. Leto High School

engaged with professionals through Business Panels and meet-and-greets, creating opportunities to ask questions, make connections, and explore the 4 pathways: Employment, Enlistment, Enrollment, and Entrepreneurship.

A moment that stood out: A student and current Publix employee came into the Business Panel unsure of what he wanted to pursue after graduation. Through the conversation, he discovered how Publix’s tuition reimbursement and career advancement opportunities could help him continue his education, explore career pathways, and grow within the company.

Sometimes, the right conversation opens up possibilities students didn’t know were there.

And that’s the power of the FCA year of activation. Business Panels are not a stand-alone experience. They are one touchpoint within a broader system designed to help students explore, prepare, connect, and launch as they move toward life after high school.

Thank you to today’s employer partners!

BayCare Health System
Giant Auto Group - Scott Fink Auto Group
Hillsborough County, Florida Government
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
JPMorganChase
Publix Super Markets
Seal Dynamics - A HEICO Company
Synergy Technology Solutions, LLC
Tampa Electric
Military Recruiting Office Tampa Battalion - U.S. Army
HCPS Career Technical & Adult Education

Thank you for sharing your time, experience, and perspective with our students.

And thank you to our school leadership teams for creating space for these senior activation experiences and continuing to partner with us throughout the year to connect students to what comes next.

Special shoutout to the Sickles Culinary Department for an incredible luncheon for our team! The menu, presentation, and hospitality were outstanding. Thank you for sharing your talents with us!

We’re also grateful to the VIP guests and community partners who joined us to learn more about FCA and support our students. Your presence and partnership help make this work possible.

Want to be part of a student’s journey?

Connect with our team to learn how you can support the Future Career Academy.

https://workforcedevelopmentpartners.com/contact/

10/02/2026

A new skilled workforce is taking shape. 🔥

Congratulations to the first welding graduates from HCPS Career Technical & Adult Education Rick Lott Technical College!

Their achievement represents more than completing a program — it’s a step toward careers that require hands-on skills, technical expertise, and industry-ready preparation.

We’re proud to celebrate these students as they move from training to opportunity!

This is what career and technical education can make possible: learning a skill, earning a credential, and building a future.
Congratulations, graduates!👏

This is what success looks like when students have a plan. 🎓At South County Career Acceleration Academy (SCCAA), the com...
10/02/2026

This is what success looks like when students have a plan. 🎓

At South County Career Acceleration Academy (SCCAA), the commitment to student success is visible — including this powerful display celebrating the 53 SCCAA recent 25-26 SY graduates who were recognized at last year’s Future Career Academy Signing Day, with their commitments declared before graduation.

53 Students. 53 Career Pathways. 53 Commitments.
Each representing a different plan after high school.

This is the kind of intentional partnership that helps build momentum around a shared goal: every student graduates with a clear, actionable plan for what comes next.

Through continued collaboration between SCCAA and Future Career Academy, we’re proud to reinforce the importance of helping students explore their options, prepare for their next step, make meaningful connections, and take action toward their future.

Thank you to Principal Jennifer Woods, Workforce Program Advisor Shalini Rajpaul, and the entire SCCAA team for your continued partnership and for making student success visible, celebrated, and part of the culture of your school. ❤️

This week, Workforce Development Partners’ Chief Growth & Partnerships Officer, Christie Bruner, had the opportunity to ...
10/01/2026

This week, Workforce Development Partners’ Chief Growth & Partnerships Officer, Christie Bruner, had the opportunity to join a panel of Tampa Bay professionals at University of South Florida St. Petersburg as part of Dr. Harris Ambush’s LaunchPAD program.

LaunchPAD helps first-year students connect classroom learning with real-world careers, and the conversation explored leadership, workforce development, community impact, career pathways, and the skills employers are looking for in today’s graduates.

Christie shared an important message with students: the experiences you build outside the classroom matter. Communication, adaptability, relationship-building, curiosity, and the willingness to step into new opportunities can be just as important as what appears on a résumé.

At WDP, this is exactly why we believe in creating opportunities for students to connect with employers and professionals before they enter the workforce. Career readiness starts long before graduation—and sometimes one conversation, one introduction, or one experience can open the door to a career a student had never considered.

In October we mean BUSINESS — BUSINESS PANELS, that is! 🎤At Workforce Development Partners, October is about Hillsboroug...
10/01/2026

In October we mean BUSINESS — BUSINESS PANELS, that is! 🎤

At Workforce Development Partners, October is about Hillsborough County Public Schools seniors engaging in our Future Career Academy Industry Exploration curriculum and bridging the gap between the classroom and the workforce through real conversations with industry professionals.

11 event days. 37 high schools. 15,000+ graduating seniors.

1 MISSION:

To prepare and connect students to the jobs and training opportunities in their communities and help every student graduate with a clear, actionable plan for life after high school.

Our Business Panels are designed to:

🔹 Introduce FCA and build trust with students and school communities.
🔹 Build awareness and interest in local companies, careers, and job opportunities.
🔹 Encourage student participation and maximize their FCA experience.

Behind every Business Panel is a team of educators, industry partners, school leaders, and community partners working together to create meaningful career connections.

October is where industry exploration meets REAL opportunity!

👉 Learn more about Future Career Academy and our work connecting students to their futures:

www.workforcedevelopmentpartners.com

WDP was proud to attend the Tampa Recruiting Battalion Partnership Luncheon and connect with leaders and community partn...
09/28/2026

WDP was proud to attend the Tampa Recruiting Battalion Partnership Luncheon and connect with leaders and community partners supporting the U.S. Army’s mission in Tampa Bay.

The event was a meaningful reminder of the importance of strong partnerships, service, and creating opportunities for the next generation.

We’re especially excited to bring that connection to our Future Career Academy Business Panels this October. U.S. Army Recruiting Tampa Company will join us to help students explore military service as a post-graduation pathway and learn about opportunities available across the U.S. Armed Forces.

Thank you to the Tampa Recruiting Battalion for welcoming us and for the work you do to connect with and serve our community.

Helping students turn “What’s next?” into a plan. 🎓This week, FCA District Directors were out at Spoto High School and R...
09/25/2026

Helping students turn “What’s next?” into a plan. 🎓

This week, FCA District Directors were out at Spoto High School and Riverview High School (Riverview, Florida) connecting with students, supporting school communities, and helping students take their next steps with purpose.

Thank you Ann Knott Griffin & Marisol Montoya for inviting FCA to table at Riverview's College & Career Fair! Sarah loved connecting with students, sharing resources, and talking about the many pathways available after high school.

A BIG shoutout to the Shark Student Government Association! 👏

The students who helped facilitate the event were top tier — organized, professional, welcoming, and clearly invested in creating a great experience for their peers. It was a real SHARKCESS! 🦈🏆

Thank you to the Spoto and Riverview leadership teams and SGA students for the warm welcome and hospitality! We’re grateful to be part of school communities that help students explore, prepare, connect, and launch their futures. 💙

September is Workforce Development Month—a time to recognize the people, partnerships, and opportunities that help indiv...
09/21/2026

September is Workforce Development Month—a time to recognize the people, partnerships, and opportunities that help individuals take their next step.

At Workforce Development Partners, our work spans the workforce journey—from helping Future Career Academy students explore and prepare for their futures to connecting adult job seekers with employment opportunities through Best Florida Jobs.

Because workforce development is about more than preparing people for a career. It’s about connecting people to opportunity, employers to talent, and communities to stronger futures.

We’re proud to be part of that work every day.

Building relationships with Tampa Bay businesses means creating more opportunities for our students.Workforce Developmen...
09/20/2026

Building relationships with Tampa Bay businesses means creating more opportunities for our students.

Workforce Development Partners was excited to join the Tampa Bay Builders Association’s Meet the Builder event, connecting with builders and companies that support one of our region’s most important industries. TBBA’s members represent the many businesses it takes to build and grow our communities—from homebuilders and contractors to suppliers, skilled trades and professional services.

For our team, these connections help open doors for Hillsborough County Public Schools students through Future Career Academy—giving them greater exposure to local employers, the wide range of careers within the building industry, and opportunities to see where their skills and interests could take them.

Thank you, TBBA, for welcoming us and helping strengthen the connection between today’s employers and tomorrow’s workforce.

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