FORT PIERCE – Residents of Fort Pierce’s Lincoln Park community can take great pride in the accomplishments of the first students completing training offered through the Lincoln Park Career Pathways Initiative at Indian River State College (IRSC). Family, community members, and local dignitaries stood alongside college administrators, faculty, and staff to join with more than 20 students celebrating their achievement during the Initiative’s Completion Ceremony held at the IRSC Blackburn Educational Center on Avenue D on Tuesday, March 5.

“This program has opened up my world. I’m really motivated to continue and see where this path leads me!” states Knosha Burks-Hair, 34, who is now a certified production technician.

Enrollment is now open for classes starting throughout spring. Prospective students can apply to train for one of three highly sought-after industry certifications offered tuition-free at the Indian River State College Blackburn Educational Center on Avenue D: Fast Track to Manufacturing/Certified Production Technician (CPT), Certified Logistics Associate (CLA), and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Each of these growing and expanding fields offers students an opportunity for a lifelong career.

In addition to tuition-free instruction, eligible students may also receive financial assistance to help defray costs with student transportation, meal stipends, and child care.

The certification programs are made possible through the Lincoln Park Career Pathways Initiative, a collaborative effort between St. Lucie EDC, CareerSource Research Coast (CSRC), Treasure Coast Manufacturers Association (TCMA), and Indian River State College (IRSC), and is sponsored by Allegany Franciscan Ministries through the Common Good Initiative.

Interested students should contact Melanie George, Lincoln Park Career Consultant at 772-462-7100.

This article was distributed through Treasure Coast Business, a news service for the readers and advertisers of Indian River Magazine.