The St. Pete Works Grant is changing lives

2/22/2023

Now in its second year, the St. Petersburg Works Grant continues to change the lives of St. Petersburg College students, providing them with an opportunity to find a new career, and a new direction in life. Since its inception, more than 300 certificate-earning graduates have been employed.

A recent 2022 graduate, Jukobi Gamble, finished the Electrical Lineworker program just before Labor Day. He said the experience was eye-opening, and one that he wishes he had known about when he was younger.

“A lot of young people need to learn about this program,” Gamble said. “I was a new barber in 2020 when the pandemic hit, and I couldn’t cut hair. I knew I needed a job where I could be outdoors. This opportunity came along at just the right time.”

Corey Eichelberger is another recent graduate, earning a certificate in the Advanced Excavator course. While not running this level of machinery on site just yet, the course did prepare him for the work he does every day with a heavy-duty forklift.

“I dedicated myself to the program and I had a lot of help from the faculty and staff,” Eichelberger said. “Completing the course gave me a great sense of accomplishment. I think the certificate program is going to get my foot in the door for bigger and better things.”

As the program continues, more SPC students will earn life-changing certificates. In the process, they will lift themselves and their families out of poverty.

Eichelberger plans to make the most of the opportunity he earned through the grant. “I want to keep doing things the right way; earning this certificate has given me a whole new future.”