Tech giant gives St. Petersburg College $1.1M for workforce programs

St. Petersburg technology giant Jabil is donating $1.1 million to a local college to boost the area’s manufacturing workforce pipeline.

The money, donated over three years, goes to St. Petersburg College and is aimed at strengthening its career training programs.

According to a joint statement from Jabil and SPC, the funding is intended to expand student access to technology, lab equipment and raw materials used in real manufacturing environments; provide scholarships for students seeking soldering and mechatronics certifications; and improve workforce readiness programs for those looking for work with manufacturers.

Jabil will also work with the college’s faculty to develop “high impact” curriculum for students to attain the skill and certification needed for jobs like solderers and semiconductor technicians.

“These positions are critical to the production of cutting-edge technologies from automation to renewable energy solutions, helping drive economic growth,” according to the statement.

Jabil is a global engineering, supply chain and manufacturing company that locally employs 3,000 people across three local manufacturing sites and its corporate headquarters.

According to its most recent earnings report released March 18, its revenue for the second quarter of this year grew 23% to $8.28 billion from the same period last year.

St. Petersburg College offers more than 300 programs including associate and bachelor’s degrees, certificates, workforce certifications and short-term training opportunities. It has three campuses and seven centers.