FORT PIERCE — Indian River State College will expand its HVAC, construction and solar panel technician training programs with a $2,236,673 grant made possible through the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s (DEO) Rebuild Florida Workforce Recovery Training (WRTP) Program. The award is part of more than $14 million committed by the State to launch or expand training programs for construction trades in communities impacted by Hurricane Irma.

“The IRSC team is excited to partner with CareerSource and Project LIFT to offer students training that will not only lead to certificates and licenses, but real jobs in a booming construction industry,” says IRSC President Dr. Timothy Moore. “Over the next three years, our College will offer these tuition-free training opportunities that ready students for the job site after a short investment of time. It’s a tremendous value proposition.”

IRSC will work with CareerSource Research Coast, Project LIFT, and other local organizations to coordinate support services such as transportation, access to child care services, computer skills training/digital literacy, counseling/advising services, English to Speakers of Other Languages Adult Education program, on-the-job training opportunities and job placement services.

St. Lucie County residents interested in enrolling in or learning more about the programs should visit https://www.irsc.edu/programs/rebuild-florida.html.

Rebuild Florida is a partnership of DEO and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Launched in September 2018, Rebuild Florida uses federal funding for Florida’s long-term recovery efforts from the devastating impacts of natural disasters. For more information, visit www.RebuildFlorida.gov.