SCF Approved as SkillBridge Partner by DOD

The Department of Defense (DOD) selected State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) as a partner for its SkillBridge program, which provides opportunities for active-duty service members to gain civilian work experience through industry training, apprenticeships and internships. As part of the agreement, service members will be selected for internships with the Incubator/Accelerator for SCF’s Center for Advanced Technology & Innovation.

“It’s an honor to be an industry partner of the SkillBridge program. The internship with the Incubator/Accelerator at SCF will offer exposure to the entrepreneurial and investment communities,” said Matthew Harper, SCF’s Incubator/Accelerator director. “I wish I had this opportunity when I transitioned from the Navy.”

The SkillBridge intern at SCF will work directly under Harper during the launch of the Incubator/Accelerator. The program will include an initiative specifically targeting veteran entrepreneurs.

The new center is being partially funded by a $3.6 million job growth grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. The Incubator/Accelerator will help entrepreneurs convert ideas into businesses and foster start-ups to become self-sufficient.

For more information about the SkillBridge program, visit DODSkillBridge.USALearning.gov. To learn more about the SkillBridge internship at SCF, contact Matthew Harper at HarperM@SCF.edu or 941-752-5449.