South Florida State College (SFSC) was awarded $500,000 through a special funding allocation by the Florida legislature to create a mobile welding lab that will provide low-cost, high-demand workforce 培训 to the residents of 德索托, 荷迪, 和6686体育集团官网.
“The 政府ernor’s budget was titled ‘Securing Florida’s Future’ and that’s exactly what this special funding initiative does for our region,”医生说。. 托马斯·C. Leitzel, SFSC主席. “Welding is a core skill for various jobs and industry sectors. We’re thrilled to be able to offer this specialized 培训 in an innovative and convenient delivery method for the residents of our district. Bringing the classroom to our students for short-term 培训 makes sense. SFSC is extremely grateful to Senator Denise Grimsley and Representative Ben Albritton, who both sponsored the legislation that led this important funding initiative through their respective chambers.”
With no formal welding 培训 项目 available in Florida’s rural heartland region, this mobile welding lab has the potential to train more than 150 students annually and offer short-term 培训 options with significant income and earning potential to the tri-county region.
“South Florida State College is excited to have the opportunity to expand technical 培训 opportunities throughout our service area,”医生说。. 西德尼·E. 情人节小., vice president for academic affairs and student services at SFSC. “The addition of the mobile welding lab will allow SFSC to not only reach students at our four campuses, but also area high schools and industry locations throughout the region. This 培训 will vary in length from degree, 证书, and diploma 项目 to just-in-time workforce development 培训 through SFSC’s Corporate and Community 教育 Department.”
Welding is one of the most in-demand workforce skills with 3.4 percent annual growth in the heartland region and an estimated 800 welders needed annually in central Florida. 根据 CareerSource佛罗里达, trained welders can earn a starting salary of $17 per hour with a possible future salary of $30 per hour, or $60,每年000, which is more than the average salary for someone who possesses a vocational 证书.
“We are eager to support the needs of businesses in our service district with a mobile welding lab,埃里克说。. Christensen, dean of applied sciences and technology at SFSC. “The new welding program will greatly complement many of the 项目 currently offered and help satisfy a need with our local employers. Virtually every company has a need for welding—some businesses need full-time welders while others may just need one of their employees to be able to weld as the need arises. The mobile lab will enable us to provide the right 培训 anywhere, anytime.”
The lab will be housed in a large trailer with both simulator and live-welding units. Trainers and equipment will be included to facilitate arc welding (MIG, TIG, and Stick Welding). The lab will continuously travel throughout the tri-county region, as needed.
With a pool of trained welders available locally, 德索托, 荷迪, 和6686体育集团官网 will be positioned to attract new employers and industry leaders to the region.
For more information about the mobile welding lab, contact 埃里克 Christensen at 863-784-7424 or 埃里克.Christensen@southflorida.edu.
关于南佛罗里达州立大学
South Florida State College (SFSC) is a comprehensive, 开放获取, higher 教育 institution dedicated to providing a student-centered environment focused on learning and personal enrichment through quality 项目 and services. 在德索托的校园里, 荷迪, 和6686体育集团官网 and through its online presence, 学院颁发证书, 准度, and bachelor’s degrees that lead to the continued success of its graduates and a variety of opportunities for the 教育al, 文化, and economic advancement of the service district. SFSC is one of the 28 institutions of the Florida College System.
Highlands County is surrounded by a robust talent pipeline and top-tier colleges and universities. 赛百灵的商业, 普莱西德湖, and Avon Park are supported by a strong and responsive local school district and state college that offer academic and technical skills 培训, such as the new advanced a manufacturing program at South Florida State College. 的优点 Highlands County's 教育 and 培训 项目.