A Winning Play: Eckerd Connects Workforce and Job Corps Team Up for Student Success

Driving Career Success with a 98% Completion Rate

At the recent National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) Youth Symposium, Eckerd Connects was spotlighted during a panel showcasing a game-changing approach to workforce development. The conversation highlighted how teamwork, resource-sharing, and meaningful synergy can drive powerful outcomes for students, including a 98% completion rate. Together, Eckerd Connects and Turner Job Corps are proving that the right partnerships make all the difference in preparing young people for the workforce.

The panel was facilitated by NFL Hall of Famer and Eckerd Connects National Ambassador, Darrell Green, who knows a thing or two about achieving big wins.

“Today, we’re going to take a deep dive into the secret sauce that makes this partnership work so well,” said Green.

Through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Eckerd Connects, and its workforce development team bring a powerhouse of education and job training to the table.

“This partnership has introduced countless youth to our GED services, work-based learning, workplace skills training, and interview preparation,” said Carley Huguley, State Operations Director for WIOA. “It’s all about creating a strong foundation for career success.”

When new work-based learning requirements were introduced for Job Corps, Turner Job Corps Center Director Nathaniel (Nate) Cooper saw the benefits of aligning with Eckerd Connects.

“It was really a no-brainer to partner with Eckerd to give students additional skills and work-based learning opportunities to prepare them for the workforce,” Cooper noted.

The Eckerd-operated Turner Job Corps Center is the fourth-largest Job Corps campus in the nation, with 732 students enrolled across 16 trade programs. This tuition-free training is open to income-eligible youth aged 16-24.

“Thanks to this partnership, students are gaining the skills and confidence they need,” added Cooper. “Our campus now ranks 17 out of 121 Job Corps centers nationally, with significant increases in student placements and work-based learning opportunities.”

Building a Strong Playbook for Success

Creating this partnership required collaboration and intentional alignment to ensure both programs maximized student outcomes without duplicating efforts. Panel participants emphasized the importance of maintaining strong, purposeful relationships between Job Corps and WIOA partners.

As Business and Community Liaison, Krystal Santos serves as the essential link between Job Corps and the surrounding community.

“We collaborate actively with employers, workforce agencies, and community stakeholders,” Santos said. “Our programs are tailored to local industry needs, and we work closely with employers to align training with the skills they seek.”

The partnership also includes memorandums of understanding and Community and Workforce Council meetings, which help create a steady pipeline of skilled workers for local businesses and offer young adults career pathways to sustainable employment. These meetings are key to gathering feedback from employers and stakeholders, ensuring Job Corps training remains aligned with today’s job demands.

As Turner Job Corps and Eckerd Connects continue to innovate, program participants highlight the real impact this collaboration has on students.

Patrina Bogan-Hallback from Destiny 4U noted, “I’m honored to be a workforce partner with Job Corps and WIOA. It’s crucial for students to have real-life experiences to prepare them for the workplace.”

Real-World Success Stories

The results of this partnership can be seen in students like Devyn. Initially hoping to join the U.S. Army Cyber Command, Devyn entered Job Corps to explore alternative career paths when his initial test scores weren’t high enough. He enrolled in Office Administration at Job Corps and began workforce skills training through Eckerd Connects. Staff helped Devyn improve his math and reading, ultimately helping him pass the military entrance test. Today, Devyn is on his way to a successful Army career, thanks to the mentorship, training, and hands-on experiences gained through this partnership.

Or consider Miranda, who entered Turner Job Corps without a high school diploma or career skills. Through the Culinary Arts program and Eckerd Connects’ training, she earned her GED, completed career readiness training, and was inspired to pursue Advanced Training. Now, she’s advancing in her culinary skills without any financial burden.

Inspiring Results and Expanding the Game Plan

“It’s inspiring to see how students’ lives are changed through this collaboration,” said Darrell Green. “Now, we’re looking at how to expand this successful formula.”

“We’re thrilled with our 98% completion rate,” added Carley Huguley. “Our partnership allows us to leverage resources more effectively. For instance, we’re now working with the Brunswick Job Corps campus to offer on-site GED training—even though Brunswick isn’t a campus we oversee.”

As the partnership grows, ongoing communication remains key. At Turner Job Corps, weekly meetings focus on compliance, goal-setting, and collaboration with community partners.

“Being on the workforce board has given me insights on creating new opportunities for our campus,” said Cooper. “We’re even working with local public schools to expand services for students.”

With aligned missions and values, the winning combination between Eckerd Connects and Job Corps is creating a powerful impact. For everyone involved, the goal remains the same: for each student to leave the program with their own success story. At Eckerd Connects, we’re not just “in it to win it”—we’re here to transform lives.