
St. Petersburg's initiative to empower its youth workforce took another successful step forward with the graduation of 12 cadets from Mayor's Future Ready Academy. As reported by the city's official news release, Mayor Kenneth T. Welch commended the graduates for completing the 18-week training program, designed to secure participants gainful employment within the city's workforce. The ceremony, held last Friday, took place amid the green surroundings of Hammock Hall at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve.
The graduating cadets, now equipped with invaluable employment skills, received on-the-job training and classroom instruction in collaboration with the City of St. Petersburg and Pinellas Technical College. Among the 12 cadets, one was hired as a full-time city employee, and nine others achieved their commercial driver licenses, a crucial step toward employment in various transportation and infrastructure sectors. The successful culmination of their efforts was marked by congratulatory speeches from city and college officials, including Mayor Welch and representatives from the City Parks and Recreation and City Water Resources Departments.
With the attention now turning to the next generation of cadets, the academy has already selected candidates for the Spring 2025 cohort currently undergoing the pre-employment process. Those aiming to enroll in the Fall 2025 program can anticipate applications opening in June. The program's website provides more details for interested parties seeking to advance their careers through this acclaimed initiative.
Mayor's Future Ready Academy represents more than just a job training program; it embodies the city's commitment to fostering a ready and robust workforce. Participants, commonly referred to as cadets, dedicate 40-hour weeks to a mix of hands-on and theoretical learning. They work alongside seasoned city workers in fields like Parks and Recreation, Sanitation, and Water Resources, picking up skills that are immediately applicable and genuinely transformative for their prospects.