HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital Launches Goodwill JET Program to Empower Students with Disabilities
Participating students will receive paid, on-the-job training at HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital over the coming months.
St. Petersburg, FL — HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital is proud to announce the launch of the JET (Job, Education & Training) after-school program in partnership with Goodwill Industries Suncoast. This innovative initiative provides students with disabilities an invaluable opportunity to gain workforce readiness through hands-on internships at local businesses.
As part of the program, participating students will receive paid, on-the-job training at HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital over the coming months. Each week, students will spend four hours in various hospital departments, including Food and Nutrition Services (FANS), PBX Operators and Environmental Services.
The program is structured to ensure students gain comprehensive experience by rotating through each department every seven weeks, equipping them with diverse skills and insights that will help them succeed in future employment opportunities.
“HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital is honored to collaborate with Goodwill Industries Suncoast to empower the next generation of workers,” said Brent Burish, CEO of HCA Florida St. Petersburg and Pasadena Hospitals. “By supporting the JET Program, we’re contributing to workforce development and reinforcing our commitment to fostering an inclusive community where individuals of all abilities can thrive.”
The partnership builds upon a longstanding collaboration between the Pinellas Market of HCA Florida Healthcare and Goodwill-Suncoast to support individuals with disabilities. For example, HCA Florida Pasadena Hospital previously hosted Goodwill’s Project SEARCH Program, which enables adults with disabilities to gain internship experience, resulting in multiple full-time employment opportunities within the healthcare field.
“The JET after-school program is an incredible opportunity for students with disabilities to gain hands-on work experience while enjoying the structure and community of an after-school program like their peers,” said Robert Bautista, Community Employment Initiatives Manager, Goodwill-Suncoast. “Through our partnership with HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital, we're helping these students build invaluable skills and confidence that will prepare them for future success.”
By hosting programs like JET and Project SEARCH, HCA Florida Healthcare continues to demonstrate its dedication to creating pathways for all individuals to achieve their fullest potential.