Lealman Exchange is home to various tenant organizations that serve our community and beyond. Today, we chatted with Alisa Franz, Pinellas County Operations Manager for AmSkills.
Tell us a little about yourself and your organization: I have been with AmSkills for a little over two years and love seeing people transform their lives by training and obtaining a new career in manufacturing. I have just recently become the Pinellas County Operations Manager. If a person is interested, they can train for two weeks with AmSkills, and at the end of the two weeks, they can interview with several hiring manufacturing companies that partner with AmSkills. You don’t have to know one thing about manufacturing to succeed!
Tell us who you serve and how: Our adult Career Discovery Bootcamp students need a GED or High School Diploma, reliable transportation to get to work, and be at least 18 years old. If a felony is a factor, we must discuss it. We serve the community by offering the boot camp for only $35 for two weeks. We are a non-profit and rely on grants, private donations, and the sponsorships of partnering manufacturing companies.
What drives your mission? We are a non-profit, and our passion to transform lives cost-effectively drives our mission. While we fully support students attending college, we realize that some would rather not incur debt or attend college. We provide a two-week training boot camp to those who would like to get their foot in the door of the manufacturing industry for only $35.
Do you have an accomplishment you are particularly proud of you’d like to share? I am proud to say the Career Discovery Bootcamp is better than ever due to our staff’s efforts to constantly evaluate and do better!
What programs or opportunities are available through your organization to our Lealman neighbors? The Career Discovery Bootcamp at the Lealman Exchange will be offered eight times in 2025. We will also offer teen camps during spring break and the summer.
To learn more about AmSkills, visit https://www.amskills.org/ and follow them on Facebook / Instagram @amskills.