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Message from Chancellor Madeline Pumariega
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According to a June 2018 report by the Florida Chamber Foundation, Florida will add six million more residents and will need to create two million net new jobs by 2030. In 2030, upwards of 85 percent of jobs could be in occupations or fields that do not currently exist. Over the next decade, Florida will experience shifts in automation, globalization, digitization and machine learning advances as a result of technology innovation. In the face of disruption and transformation, Florida is facing a strategic opportunity to be globally competitive, create a path to prosperity for our residents and foster vibrant and sustainable communities across the state. Our colleges are key to making Florida number one in global competitiveness, high-paying jobs, and vibrant and sustainable communities.
To reach the state's goal of creating a talent ecosystem that provides a sustainable and skilled workforce, the Florida College System must undertake strategies that are responsive to the shifting needs of a global economy. For example, the Florida Chamber Foundation identifies adopting a data-driven approach as a key strategy in preparing a skilled workforce of the 21st century. To provide colleges with fastest growing occupation data, the Florida College System developed, in conjunction with the Department of Economic Opportunity, the State Colleges Projection Portal. The portal is an online tool that provides data by college service region on projected occupation openings over an eight-year period and the required education level for the occupation. This will ensure that our colleges provide programs that contribute to Florida's talent and competitiveness.
South Florida State College (SFSC) is providing anytime/anyplace training through the creation of a mobile welding lab that will provide low-cost, high-demand workforce training to the residents of DeSoto, Hardee and Highlands counties - a region with no formal welding training programs that is expected to need more than 800 welders annually. In addition to serving SFSC's four campuses, the mobile welding lab will also reach students at area high schools and industry locations. Miami Dade College's MDC WORKS: Apprenticeship Program demonstrates how colleges can deepen and expand cross-sector collaboration to align higher education programs with targeted industry needs by establishing an apprenticeship hub that provides individuals a pathway to education and high-paying jobs, while accelera
ting industry growth in areas such as aviation, technology, banking and logistics.
These are just a few examples of how Florida College System institutions are securing Florida's future. As a system, we serve thousands of students every year through short-term programs in in-demand occupations including business, accounting technology, paramedic, fire fighter and practical nursing. Eighty-seven percent of Career & Technical Certificate graduates are employed following graduation, with an average wage of $42,956, and 92 percent of College Credit Certificate graduates are employed following graduation, with an average wage of $40,912. I applaud the work of our colleges for expanding access and reducing barriers to market-relevant training and education so our families and future generations may prosper. Collectively, we will continue to work together to prepare for continued growth and strengthen our communities and our state.
Madeline Pumariega
Chancellor
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Leadership Development in Public Safety: Strategies for Student Success
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The focus of the program is to address foundational skills in leadership development, strategic operations, human resources management, and communication and computer skills. After the leadership development training, each participant prepares a field-specific business case for organizational improvement. The participant researches a topic and writes a paper describing recommendations and processes. The student then presents the business case to peers and senior leadership in a public safety organization in a "Shark Tank" style session. Students have the opportunity to earn up to nine college credits toward the College's Associate in Science in Fire Science Technology degree. Individuals seeking college credit enroll in a one-credit Prior Learning Assessment course, build a portfolio and submit other relevant documentation.
Polk County Fire Rescue now utilized LDPS as a requirement for promotion, listing it as a critical success factor in its strategic plan. In August 2017, the National Council for Continuing Education and Training announced that the LDPS Certification Program had won the 2017 Exemplary Program Award for Workforce and Economic Development.
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Governor Scott Announces More Florida Job Growth Grant Funds To Train a Skilled Workforce
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Ensuring Florida's 28 community and state colleges are training students for the workforce of tomorrow has been a top priority in the state. A well trained workforce is beneficial to Florida's future, including the success of our businesses and economy overall. In response, Governor Rick Scott has announced nearly $70 million in awards for more than 20 Florida Job Growth Grant Fund projects across the state.
The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, established by Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature last year, provides $85 million for improving community infrastructure and enhancing workforce training in Florida, which have demonstrated a strong return on investment. Most recently,
Governor Scott announced nearly $10 million in awards for six projects, including Eastern Florida State College (EFSC), Florida Gateway College (FGC), Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) and St. Johns River State College (SJR State).
EFSC, in partnership with Daytona State College (DSC), received nearly $3.8 million to train students for careers in aerospace and advanced manufacturing, creating a talent pipeline that will benefit students, as well as businesses and industries along the Space Coast. Under the grant, EFSC will receive $2.5 million for advanced technology equipment, computers and related needs. DSC will receive $1.2 million to develop, expand and equip programs in advanced welding, mechatronics and industrial technology maintenance, as well as to provide students with academic support and internship opportunities.
"We are very grateful to Governor Scott for this important grant," said EFSC President Jim Richey. "It will play a significant role in helping us educate and train a new generation of high-tech workers, including for companies launching a new era of human spaceflight from NASA's Kennedy Space Center."
The funding awarded comes as aerospace and advanced manufacturing industries are rapidly expanding in the region, including in industries such as SpaceX, Teledyne Oil & Gas, Thompson Pumps, Dougherty Manufacturing and other members of the Volusia Manufacturers Association.
DSC President Tom LoBasso said, "Our activities will have regional significance and will help prepare workers both within and beyond our three-county service area to fill jobs that are currently in high demand. A skilled workforce is key to our region's sustained growth and success. As the primary workforce training and education provider for Flagler and Volusia counties, Daytona State is excited to be a partner on this project."
FGC received $860,000 toward the development of programs in Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanics and Aviation Airframe Maintenance. Through a three phase process, FGC will determine feasibility and related expenses to begin an accredited program, identify aviation related training equipment and determine costs associated with acquisition, and initiate activites related to expansion, renovation and/or new construction of classroom laboratories.
"Florida Gateway College embraces Governor Scott's support of economic development and job growth opportunities in the Lake City, Columbia County area," said FGC President Lawrence Barrett. "We look forward to working with our industry partners in pursuing this outstanding workforce initiative."
 FSCJ received $710,352 to support the Northeast Florida Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics Job Growth Program. This regional partnership will help bring together businesses, industry associations and supporting community organizations in an effort to target the high-growth industries of
Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics. The program will help develop and implement strategies to meet the need for skilled workers in the region.
Grant funds will provide support to 75 participants from rural, urban and high-need communities in areas such as tuition and test fee scholarships, paid internships, equipment and educational materials. Program participants will include individuals who are low-income, unemployed, underemployed, incumbent workers, military veterans and spouses, displaced workers, disadvantaged and underrepresented populations, and those who have a significant workforce training need.
"We are grateful for this grant and our partners who allow us to further our workforce development initiatives in these key areas of opportunity," said FSCJ Interim President Kevin E. Hyde. "Many thanks to Governor Scott, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and Enterprise Florida for entrusting us with this award to build more students' learning and employment opportunities and come closer to closing the talent gap in the manufacturing and logistics industries."
SJR State received $1.38 million to add advanced manufacturing training to the College's list of offerings to train students to be part of the next generation of engineering technicians. SJR State's programs will prepare students for employment in advanced manufacturing as process and production technicians, industrial machinery mechanics, quality assurance technicians, programmable logic control technicians and operators, and industrial engineering technicians. Through the College's mechatronics certificate program, students will be prepared for employment in the areas of industrial engineering, maintenance and technology, or will be provided supplemental training for persons previously or currently employed in these occupations.
"The grant will support the establishment of a new Engineering-Advanced Manufacturing program that was designed in partnership with our regional businesses to help meet their demand for a trained and skilled workforce to support the production and automation needed in today's advanced manufacturing environments," said SJR State President Joe Pickens. "This initiative demonstrates our strategic commitment to build sustainable, high-skilled/high-wage opportunities for the citizens and businesses of Northeast Florida, further diversifying our local and state economy."
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Second Chance Pell Grant Program Allows Inmates to Seek Degrees at Florida Gateway College
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Florida Gateway College (FGC) and the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) recognized the academic success of 42 incarcerated students in the Second Chance Pell Program, an initiative offering Pell Grant eligibility to inmates selected and supervised by the FDC who are eligible for upcoming release within the next five years. Not only did these students complete the program, but also demonstrated academic excellence by being named on the President's List (4.0 GPA) or Vice President's List (3.5-3.99 GPA) for the 2018 spring semester.
"We are incredibly proud of this program," said FDC Secretary Julie Jones. "The success of these initial students is further testimony that expanding educational opportunities to incarcerated individuals is a worthy investment for their future, and the future of Florida communities where these inmates will eventually be employed and live."
FGC in partnership with the FDC was selected by the United States Department of Education as one of 67 sites in the nation for the inmate education program. The program's goal is to reduce recidivism rates by providing high-quality, affordable postsecondary education and training to inmates of state and federal prisons that will help them get jobs and support their families once released. The Pell Grants awarded help with the cost of tuition, fees and textbooks.
Each semester, FGC offers courses leading to an associate degree in general studies or environmental science technology: water resources, as well as high-demand occupational certifications.
Program Liaison William Peace said, "We at Florida Gateway College are very proud of the academic performance of the students in the Second Chance Pell Program. This is a group of individuals who have worked hard to demonstrate that they are serious about making positive changes in their lives."
President of Florida Gateway College Dr. Lawrence Barrett said, "It is an honor to continue Florida Gateway's successful partnership with the Florida Department of Corrections in providing quality education options to inmates. We believe that this program addresses the challenge of workforce development for those incarcerated that will be released in the next few years."
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The Florida College System (FCS) provides access to various types of workforce degrees and certificates that are designed to prepare graduates for employment upon completion. The figure above indicates the number of recent annual FCS graduates (2016-17) among the top four most popular workforce credentials. Last year, the FCS awarded 14,965 Associate in Science degrees, 23,452 College Credit Certificates, 8,995 Vocational Certificates, and 7,914 workforce Baccalaureate degrees. While these aforementioned credentials represent the majority of all workforce credentials earned (approximately 98 percent), the FCS also offers other workforce programs including Advanced Technical Certificates, Certificates of Professional Preparation, Educator Preparation Institutes, and Apprenticeships.
Some of the workforce programs of study with the highest number of credentials awarded (2016-17) include the Associate in Science in Nursing (4,750 completions), the Business Specialist College Credit Certificate (3,299 completions), and the Vocational Certificate for the Florida Law Enforcement Academy (2,114 completions).
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Michael Kutsner - Indian River State College
Michael Kutsner is a student at Indian River State College (IRSC) pursuing an Associate in Science degree in Medical Lab Technology. Kutsner is passionate about continuing his education, but his educational journey has not always been easy. In grade school, Kutsner struggled academically, failing the second grade and experiencing personal hardship. During this time in his life, Kutsner's teacher introduced him to an IRSC employee who became his mentor. As a result, Kutsner enrolled in an IRSC retention program that exposed students to college for the first time. Kutsner began his postsecondary education career at IRSC in the high school program, earning his GED.
While enrolled in the GED program, Kutsner met his wife, Autumn, who was taking classes in the adult high school. Kutsner and his wife agreed to "switch off" work and school. While Autumn enrolled in the Respiratory Therapy program, Kutsner chose to pursue a career in the military. Last year, Autumn graduated from IRSC's respiratory program, allowing Kutsner the opportunity to pursue his dream of becoming a Medical Lab Technologist.
Kutsner is not only passionate about pursuing his dream of becoming a Medical Lab Technologist, but is also focused on what can be done to better society. During times of disaster, Kutsner made sacrifices in his life to assist others in need. Kutsner is part of the Florida National Army Guard and was on the front lines with his guard unit protecting his community after Hurricanes Matthew and Irma. He delivered supplies to those in need throughout Florida, helping our state recover from the hurricanes' impact.
"While many Floridians and vacationers were evacuating areas in Hurricane Irma's path, you were moving in the opposite direction into harm's way," said Major General of the Florida National Guard Michael Calhoun. "Your commitment, compassion and demonstrated teamwork contributed directly to the success of the largest activation of Guardsmen in our state's history."
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Faculty and Administrators: Nominate a Student to be the Chancellor's Clark Maxwell Scholar Student of the Month
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In honor of the late Chancellor Clark Maxwell Jr., each month a student is selected to represent the Florida College System. Nominations for the Student of the Month are accepted on a rolling basis. If you know a student who demonstrates exemplary leadership skills, academic success, and/or commitment to community service through their involvement in the Florida College System, nominate them
today!
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New Workforce Training Lab at Daytona State College
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Daytona State College (DSC) recently marked the opening of a new Workforce Training Lab at its New Smyrna Beach-Edgewater Campus with regional business leaders and officials. The new lab is designed for entry level training in a range of skills for high-demand industries. According to Volusia County Economic Development, building and construction are set to be major economic drivers for the area over the next few years.
"With building and construction among the hottest industries in the region for growth in the foreseeable future, the College is ramping up its training initiatives with a variety of short-term course offerings designed to build a job-ready workforce," s
aid Frank Mercer, director of DSC's Center for Business and Industry.
The first series of courses are designed to prepare students for careers in the skilled trades, including: fibrous glass duct construction; exterior window, door and skylight installation; fiberglass shingle installation; Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10-hour construction course; vinyl and fibrous cement sliding installation; and fiberglass fabrication boot camps.
"These are intensive, short-term courses that can be completed in a few weeks and require no pre-requisites," said Frank Snyder, chair of DSC's School of Workforce Careers. "Some credits also can be applied to our certificate in Building Trades and Construction Design Technology."
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Thank you to the Florida Lottery for Continuous Support in
Helping Students Pursue Postsecondary Educational and Career Goals
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STAY CONNECTED WITH THE FLORIDA COLLEGE SYSTEM
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