Tampa Bay Economic Prosperity Foundation launches CertUp Tampa, a career awareness campaign focused on underserved communities
September 20, 2022
The campaign aims to generate more awareness about short-term training opportunities for in-demand jobs among residents of East Tampa, Central Park and Ybor City
Tampa, Fla. (Sept. 20, 2022) – The Tampa Bay Economic Prosperity Foundation today launched CertUp Tampa, a multimedia campaign created to promote awareness among residents of East Tampa, Central Park and Ybor City about short-term career training programs for high-demand jobs that offer good pay and great opportunities for advancement with local employers.
“Tampa and Hillsborough County have achieved great success in strengthening our target industries, recruiting new businesses, and creating high wage jobs over the past decade,” said Craig J. Richard, President and CEO of the Tampa Bay Economic Prosperity Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit affiliate organization of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council. “While this has led to greater career opportunities and income for many area residents, a large number in our underserved communities have not yet benefited from this increased prosperity. A lack of the education and skills our employers require is a key reason, but other factors such as proximity to good paying jobs play a role as well.”
The campaign ads tap into people’s desires to earn more money and achieve their personal and professional goals. Developed by ChappellRoberts and Diamond View, the ads feature three individuals who leverage the skills they acquired in order to achieve their dreams of professional advancement, home ownership, and getting their children into college.
Audiences are directed to the CertUpTampa.com web site, which features information about certificate and degree programs at Hillsborough Community College. Featured programs include Cybersecurity, Health Navigator, Clinical Research, Cardiac Catheterization, Welding Technology, and Automotive Collision Technology, which were chosen because of the high number of jobs available with local employers. The first phase of the campaign, which features television, radio, outdoor, and digital media advertising, will run through early January 2023.
“Hillsborough County’s economic future depends on the availability of a skilled and diverse workforce, but the path to a rewarding career is not easy for everyone in our community,” said Dr. Ken Atwater, president of Hillsborough Community College and Chairman of the Tampa Bay Economic Prosperity Foundation. “Our goal with this campaign is to show that time, money or support should not be barriers to earning a certification that leads to a rewarding, high-demand career. Our staff at HCC are committed to each student’s success and can help them get the resources they need to eliminate the obstacles that may be holding them back from pursuing their dreams.”
The CertUp Tampa campaign is a key component of the Tampa Bay Economic Prosperity Foundation’s Inclusive Economic Growth Initiative, which has a parallel strategy of generating business investment in East Tampa.
To fund this Initiative, the Tampa Bay Economic Prosperity Foundation launched a $2 million capital campaign, which to date has raised more than $1.4 million. The Tampa Bay Economic Prosperity Foundation is grateful to the following organizations who have generously supported this campaign: TECO, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, SouthState Bank, DTCC, Grow Financial, Suncoast Credit Union, HCC, Regions, AT&T, Cousins, and The Florida Aquarium.
To learn more about the Tampa Bay Economic Prosperity Foundation, visit prospertampabay.org.
About the Tampa Bay Economic Prosperity Foundation
Founded in 2018, the Tampa Bay Economic Prosperity Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit affiliate organization of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council. The Foundation has a two-pronged mission: to bring jobs and capital investment to the East Tampa, Central Park and Ybor City, and Uptown districts of Tampa and Hillsborough County; and raise awareness of career training and skills development opportunities to residents of those areas. For more information, visit prospertampabay.org.
View the CertUp Commercial Spots here:
Listen to the CertUp Radio spots here:
https://tinyurl.com/CertUP15-Radio
https://tinyurl.com/CertUp30Radio
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