The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa Bay announced the opening of the Liberty Workforce Innovation Center on Monday, Oct. 19, in South Tampa, directly across from Robinson High School. The new facility expands the organization’s traditional after‑school programs to serve young adults up to age 24, providing a bridge between school‑age education and the workforce.
Career pathways and industry‑recognized credentials
Liberty offers career exploration, technical training and the chance to earn industry‑recognized credentials in four high‑growth fields: healthcare, information technology, construction and culinary arts. Dedicated learning spaces support hands‑on instruction in nursing, IT labs, skilled‑trade workshops and a commercial‑grade kitchen.
In addition to technical skills, the center’s curriculum includes financial literacy, workplace readiness, professional development and pre‑apprenticeship opportunities, ensuring participants are prepared for full‑time employment or further technical education.
Employer‑driven model
Employer participation is central to the center’s model. Local industry partners help identify the skills most needed in the regional economy, provide practical experience, and connect graduates with job openings. Existing partners include BayCare, Bank of America and Habitat for Humanity, all of which have pledged to collaborate on internships, apprenticeships and mentorship.
Building on a regional workforce effort
The Liberty center is part of a broader shift toward workforce development across Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando counties. The organization already runs a regional workforce readiness program that offers paid internships and career‑exploration experiences. A “Future Leaders” initiative gives teenagers paid work experience within Boys & Girls Clubs facilities.
In Pinellas County, the nonprofit operates a partnership with Pinellas High Innovation, an alternative‑education setting that provides career guidance and planning. The organization also runs the Jordan Park Food Pantry in St. Petersburg in partnership with the St. Petersburg Housing Authority.
Community and political support
The grand opening attracted a bipartisan group of officials, including Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, state Rep. Danny Alvarez and Troy Selberg, director of workforce initiatives with the U.S. Department of Labor. Tampa city representative Ocea Wynn and foundation trustee Marc Jacobson, a key funder of the project, were also on hand.
Freddy Williams, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa Bay, said, “Preparing young people for the future means giving them more than exposure to career possibilities. It means providing the skills, experiences and connections to turn those possibilities into opportunities.”
Looking ahead
The Liberty center opens during the organization’s centennial year; its predecessor, the West Tampa Boys Club, was founded in 1926, and the first Pinellas County club opened in 1959. While officials have not announced a comparable facility in Pinellas County, the center serves as a potential model for expanding workforce services throughout the Greater Tampa Bay region.
Questions remain about the center’s capacity, the number of participants it can serve, which credentials will be earned and how employers will translate training into permanent jobs. As the nonprofit continues to grow, community leaders and business partners are watching closely to gauge the impact on the local labor market.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
