GAINESVILLE, Fla. – When Antoine Bryant was fired from his job, he didn’t know what was in store for the future. He knew employment was a priority, but didn’t know what the steps were to achieve that–so he went to CareerSource North Central Florida for help. 

On the doorstep of CareerSource NCFL, he wasn’t sure what he was looking for. What he discovered, however, was a center brimming with resources to help develop a new career plan.

Antoine needed a plan of action, and CareerSource NCFL provided the tools to help him to map his own.

In search of something new, Antoine signed up for “Opportunity Quest: Own Your Future” at CareerSource NCFL which offered him a chance to train while receiving on-the-job experience. 

“The place lives up to its name,” he says. “It’s a wealth of resources, especially the class that I took–life-changing, literally life-changing. The class is invaluable.” 

This 4-week, earn-while-you-learn program empowered him to achieve industry-specific credentials and increase his potential annual earnings. The center continues to support Antoine and other participants by providing assistance such as childcare referral, transportation costs, and other employment tools such as classes on networking, resume building, and hot jobs.

“Owning a business, having a business, and working for a business can help people become better employees and also broaden their minds to opening their own business,” he argues.

When Antoine came into CareerSource NCFL, he didn’t know how to move forward. CareerSource NCFL helped him every step of the way, providing support and guidance into his next chapter. 

A newfound optimism for the future awaited him. With the help of a team of people who opened up new possibilities for him through the classes and business coaching that the center offers, Antoine began to envision a better future. 

Overall, Antoine has become a better employee and team player through the training and classes that he received at CareerSource NCFL. Empowered with new knowledge and support, Antoine has built a stronger skill foundation and is excited to leap into his next chapter.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – When Erik Burton was hit with a divorce and a job loss all at once, he knew something had to give.

“My life was crumbling,” he says.

Then living in Ohio, Erik decided to move to the Gainesville area to find a fresh start. He wanted to find his passion and build a life he could be proud of. 

By chance, he drove past the CareerSource NCFL Gainesville career center and saw that they were hosting open interviews with local businesses. He decided to give the career center a shot. 

“I couldn’t ask for a better gift,” he says. “Florida’s been like paradise for me… I couldn’t ask for anything else.” 

At the Gainesville career center, Erik met Jan, his caseworker, who recommended he enroll in the “Own Your Future” Opportunity Quest program, a training module that helps upskill participants so they can compete for technology-based occupations. Since then, Erik has learned how to use the Microsoft Office Suite and online accounting software Quickbooks. He is currently taking classes on web design. 

“I’m in the fast lane,” Erik says.

Erik enrolled in CareerSource NCFL’s Own Your Future program to help him take control of his life. There, he was able to learn about creating wealth, changing his mindset, unexpected success stories, and how to shape his own future. 

“One word: life-changing,” he says of the program. “Instead of the problems, you look at them as opportunities.” 

Jan and other CareerSource NCFL team members checked in regularly to make sure Erik was able to reach his goals. As a result of his training, Erik was able to find a job at Bear Archery, a Gainesville company that creates bows and arrows for archers in the area. 

“I get the second chance at life I always wanted, because they believed in me and helped me believe in myself,” he says. 

Erik’s long-term goal is to help others succeed the way he has. He wants to travel the country and watch other passionate people “take off like a rocket.”

“Regardless of what you’ve been through or where you came from, it’s more than the sky’s the limit—it’s more like the universe is the limit,” he says—a mindset he can accredit to the experience he had with CareerSource NCFL.