Farmworker Career Development Program
The Farmworker Career Development Program (FCDP) at Indian River State College began in 1973. For unemployed or underemployed farmworkers and their dependents who qualify, the program provides training and necessary supportive services that prepares them for a full-time, year-round unsubsidized job at $10.00 or above.
A planned program of vocational and on-the-job training, work experience, job placement assistance, and basic and/or remedial education—including GED®, English as a Second Language (ESL)—is provided to each participant as needed. FCDP can also provide tuition assistance to participants who qualify.
FCDP is funded through the Florida Department of Education by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.
GED® is a registered trademark of the American Council on Education (ACE) and administered exclusively by GED Testing Service LLC under license. This material is not endorsed or approved by ACE or GED Testing Service.
Support Services
- Counseling and Evaluation
- Tuition Assistance
- Basic Skills Tutoring
- Book Loan Program
- General Education Development (GED)
- Career Training in areas such as Automotive Service Technology; Certified Nursing Assistant, Cosmetology; Welding Technology; Early Childhood Education, Air Condition, Refrigeration & Heating Technology; Law Enforcement; Medical Assistant as well as Business certificates and more.
- Job Placement Assistance
Eligibility
Eligibility for participation in the program is limited to migrant and seasonal farmworkers and/or their dependents who meet the following criteria:
- Must be a United States citizen, permanent Resident Alien or other Alien approved by the Immigration and Naturalization Services, or have a DACA Employment Authorization Card ; and
- Must have done farm work or have a spouse or parent that has done farm work during the past 24 months (2 years) from date of pre-application; and
- Must meet income guideline requirements.
Application Process
Follow these steps to apply to FCDP:
Applicants to the Farmworker Career Development Program must apply in person and meet with a Case Manager to determine eligibility. Call 772-462-7916 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins will be accommodated between scheduled appointments.
In order to complete the application, bring all documents to the appointment. The following documents are required for the applicant and all members living in the household. Please allow 1 to 2 hours to complete the enrollment process.
Residency (provide one of the following):
- Utility bill, phone bill, water bill, or cable bill
- Voter registration card
- Lease or home mortgage
- Vehicle registration
- Driver license
- IRSC-notarized Residency Verification Form
Proof of Income:
- Tax returns
- Pay stubs
- W-2s
- Employer payroll records
- Unemployment documents
Employment Authorization:
- Employment authorization card
- Social Security cards
Public Assistance (if applicable):
- Verification of Food Stamps
- Verification of Medicaid
- Supplemental Social Security
- Free Lunch Verification
Proof of Identity:
- Permanent Resident card or passport
- DACA Employment Authorization card
- Birth certificates
- School records
- Marriage license
- High school diploma or GED
- Driver license or state ID OR picture school ID
- Voter registration card
**Note: A parent or legal guardian must attend intake appointment with students who are under 18 years of age.
Employ Florida is your online resource for job listings, education and training opportunities, career building assistance and much more. All Farmworker Career Development Program participants are required to register for Employ Florida.
- Go to www.employflorida.com.
- Click on "Not registered, Option 3-Create User Account" and click on "Individual."
- "Agree" to the Privacy Agreement.
- Enter all required info, and make sure to write down your user ID and password for your record.
- Print confirmation page and submit to the Case Manager.
All FCDP participants are required to take the TABE test. TABE testing is offered in the Assessment Centers on all IRSC campuses. Indian River State College does not charge a fee to take the TABE.
Next, complete Kuder Interest Survey. Follow the following steps and make sure that your IRSC Case Manager receives a copy your test results.
- Go to this link: https://www.floridashines.org/find-a-career/plan-your-future.
- Go to "Find a Career" top right corner of the page.
- On the right-hand side column under "Make a plan" scroll down to "College & Adult Student" and click on "Register and Log in" to create an account.
- Once you create an account, from your main personal page, find the "Kuder Skills Confidence Assessment" and take the assessment.
- When the assessment is complete, print and or email the results for "Identifying Your Skills" to your Case Manager.
Contact
The Farmworker Career Development Program serves each of the four counties. You can also learn more at https://www.facebook.com/IRSCfarmworker/.
