By Summer Jarro Ι The Villages Daily Sun Ι September 1, 2024
The labor landscape is shifting, and Florida is investing millions of dollars to ensure its students are prepared to meet the need.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis allocated $765 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year to the Focus on Florida’s Future Budget, which will support
workforce education programs that prepare students to fill high demand jobs. The budget includes $100 million for Florida’s Workforce
Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program, which gives money to school districts and institutions to create and expand career and technical education (CTE) programs.
“I set a goal to make Florida the best state in the nation for workforce education by 2030, and we are doing that by making investments
that expand opportunity and meet industry needs,” DeSantis said.
that expand opportunity and meet industry needs,” DeSantis said.
Participation in workforce training programs is on the rise. About 800,000 students in Florida have enrolled in high school CTE programs
since 2019, according to DeSantis’ office.
Enrollment in construction programs increased by 19.3% from spring 2021 to spring 2022, mechanic and repair program enrollment increased by about 11.5% and culinary program enrollment grew by about 12.7%, according to the National Student Clearinghouse.
Florida is responding to this shift by pouring money into technical colleges, community colleges and trade schools that provide these and other CTE programs.
“In order to support the workforce demands of those businesses, we’ve got to have these types of programs,” said DeAnna Thomas, executive director of Lake Technical College. “It excites me that our local and state leaders are putting a laser focus on that workforce training demand and need.”
Increased Focus and Funding
The state’s grant program already has provided money to improve certification programs at schools in Lake, Sumter and Marion counties.
In January, more than $35 million in funding from the program was allocated to create and expand semiconductor-related instructional
programs at schools including the College of Central Florida in Ocala and the Marion County School District.
The College of Central Florida will utilize the funding to improve its technology and engineering education offerings. A new facility is being built at the Ocala Campus that will be used for the college’s advanced manufacturing program.
New programs also are being added at the college, including the rapid prototyping college credit certificate at CF’s Ocala and Citrus
campuses and expansion of the mechanical designer and programmer college credit certificate to the Citrus campus.
In February, the grant program allocated about $25 million to create and expand 19 programs in Florida dedicated to strengthening
workforce development. The Sumter County School District received some of the funding for CTE programs focused on welding technology, animal science, horticulture and more.
Lake-Sumter State College broke ground Aug. 15 on its Workforce Development Center, which will be 38,000 square feet and will offer
programs that will help fill the local need for technical and non-technical careers. The facility was created thanks to a $17.5 million grant from the state. Construction is expected to finish in spring 2026.
Lake Technical College recently received $4 million from the program to renovate a facility to house its HVAC program and also was
awarded two Florida Job Growth grants totaling $7.8 million from the Florida Department of Commerce to go toward a transportation
project and the college’s semiconductor industries and advanced manufacturing programs.
The increasing number of grants and programs focused on workforce development programs in Florida is a trend Thomas never has seen before.
“I’ve been in career technical education now for almost three decades, so it’s exciting to see the focus put on that because there are so
many workforce demands,” Thomas said. “And more of the younger people, the high school graduates, don’t have an interest in pursuing a four-year degree. They really want to get some skills quickly and go to work.”
A Changed Mindset
Nationwide, undergraduate college enrollment dropped 8% from 2019 to 2022, according to data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. The pandemic had an effect on enrollment, but even after in-person classes picked up again, the numbers still declined, according to the clearinghouse.
This dip in the number of students going to college since 2018 is the steepest on record, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Four-year public colleges in rural areas saw enrollment decrease by about 2.5% in spring 2024 compared to the previous spring semester,
according to the clearinghouse research center. Nonprofit private universities in large cities saw a 4.5% decrease in enrollment or about 102,000 fewer students in the same time period. Private for-profit universities in suburban areas saw an enrollment decrease of 19.2% in spring 2024 compared to spring 2023.
In 2022, the number of 18- to 24-year-olds enrolled in college was down by about 1.2 million from its peak in 2011, according to Pew
Research Center.
Young men made up most of that decline, with 1 million fewer men enrolled in college nationwide in 2022 than in 2011, according to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data.
Gabriel Rodriguez is in the welding program at Marion Technical College in Ocala. The Ocala resident said he was attracted to the program because it takes only a few months to complete.
He will get his certification in October, and starting salaries range from $32,000 to $62,000.
“It’s a great opportunity,” Rodriguez said. “Not everyone wants to go the university/college route.”
Dusty Watson also is forgoing a traditional four-year degree so he can enter the workforce more quickly and less expensively.
Watson said he felt helpless watching his mother’s health deteriorate but didn’t have the time or money to attend a university and earn a doctor of medicine degree. Instead, he enrolled in Marion Technical College to get a certification in practical nursing.
The program takes about 43 weeks and costs $8,500, with starting salaries ranging from $40,000 to $65,000 annually.
“It’s a lot more freeing that you can finish and start making a living in less than a year,” Watson said.
The increase in the cost of attending a four-year college is another reason many high school students are opting not to enroll.
According to the National Center of Education Statistics, the cost to attend a public four-year university in the 2021-22 school year was about $10,700 for one year of education. At a four-year private for-profit university, the cost was about $19,100 for one year, and at
a four-year private not-for-profit university it cost about $41,900.
The cost of attending a trade school in the 2021-22 school year started at about $4,000, according to the most recent data from the National Center of Education Statistics.
Career Options for Everyone
At Marion Technical College, almost every program that started in August is full.
“I think people are looking for different opportunities and different ways to get into the workforce,” said Laurel Lapane, coordinator
of student services at Marion Technical College. “We have a lot of students coming right out of high school who are saying, ‘You know what? I want something different. I want to enter the workforce. I don’t want to be sitting in a classroom anymore.’”
Enrollment is up at Lake Technical College as well. And it isn’t just high school graduates opting to try something new but people of all ages.
“We have a variety of students, from recent high school graduates all the way up to people in their 50s and 60s, who are looking for a
career change where they can get a good medium-to-high-wage job,” Thomas said. “We have students who come here because they can be in a new career within one year or less of career certificate training and obtaining those industry credentials and be on their way.”
Eustis resident Brian Braddock, 43, took the next step in his career by enrolling in the paramedic program at Lake Technical College. He has been in fire and EMS service for 20 years, and now he is studying to be an EMT.
The program takes about six weeks and tuition costs around $900.
Braddock attended Lake Tech in 2007 to become a firefighter and is back again because of the great resources available at the college, he said. He feels lucky to be able to further his education so close to where he lives and works.
“There are some parts of the country where people want to do things but it’s a two-hour drive or they don’t have anything close to them,”
he said.
Local businesses also offer programs that train people to fill jobs in their industries.
Janet West, owner of the three Salon Jaylee locations in The Villages, opened Tenaj Salon Institute 17 years ago. In nine months, the institute teaches students everything they need to know to become a cosmetologist.
About 3,000 students have gone through the program since its inception.
“Coming in, being able to finish in nine months and then being able to get a great career is amazing,” said Hannah Butner, managing partner and head of recruitment, retention and training for Sheer Express, which Salon Jaylee and Tenaj Salon are part of. “It’s not
taking someone five years to get a degree and then hoping they can use it. You have the technical skills and you can get a job tomorrow.”
On Aug. 20, Duke Energy celebrated the groundbreaking of its Wildwood Training Center, which will expand the training of transmission
craft and technical workers who upgrade Duke Energy’s infrastructure. The state-of-the-art facility will include indoor training classrooms and equipment training spaces, along with an outdoor area with a training substation.
The company plans to complete the facility in 2025.
The average lineman salary in Florida is $89,514 as of July 29, according to salary.com.
“Power grid workers are invaluable and are the first to respond in the aftermath of storms,” said Jason Williams, Duke Energy Florida senior vice president of power grid operations. “They play an incredibly important role in how we are preparing and building a smarter energy future for our customers and how we are supporting the tremendous growth in Florida.”
Helping Fill Workforce Gaps
Local technical colleges, community colleges and trade schools are making improvements and adding programs as the rise in their enrollment continues and certain industries face shortages of skilled workers.
Local technical colleges, community colleges and trade schools are making improvements and adding programs as the rise in their enrollment continues and certain industries face shortages of skilled workers.
Lake Technical College recently completed a 25,000-square-foot transportation training hub in partnership with the City of Tavares
Public Works Operations Center. The facility became available for use in August.
Public Works Operations Center. The facility became available for use in August.
The training hub is being used for the college’s diesel systems technician and automotive service technology programs. At the facility,
students are able to shadow or intern with workers in the industry and work on the vehicles housed there.
“Our students will be able to provide services for them, and, at the same time, it’s giving students the opportunities to work on vehicles and equipment that they may not otherwise,” Thomas said. “It’s really putting them forward in the industry, which is in high demand right now.”
The Diesel Systems Technician I program at Lake Tech takes one year to complete and costs around $3,000, while the Diesel Systems Technician II program takes around eight months and costs another $2,200. Starting salaries for diesel mechanics range from $35,000 to $40,000 per year, with the average diesel mechanic salary in Florida at $55,728, according to talent.com.
The Automotive Collision Technology Technician program at Lake Tech takes about 47 weeks to complete and costs around $4,000. Starting salaries range from $31,667 to $52,500, and the average automotive technician salary in Florida is $63,178, according to salary.com.
Thanks to more funding from the state grant program, and in partnership with Lake County Schools and Lake-Sumter State College, a
13,000-square-foot gymnasium is under renovation and expected to be used in fall 2025 for Lake Tech’s heating, ventilating and air conditioning program and its electrician program.
The HVAC program has a waiting list, and the new building will allow 24 more spots to open. The program at Lake Tech costs about $2,200, and starting salaries range from $44,667 to $65,333, according to local industry information.
“There’s a good demand right now in the workforce for it, and it’s a program that students can complete in about seven months and be out working,” Thomas said. “We have several programs that have a waiting list.”
The HVAC industry is in need of workers now. Each year until 2032, about 37,700 new openings for heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers are expected, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The College of Central Florida is building a $20 million Center for Nursing at the Ocala campus. It is expected to open in November and include six classrooms, one technical lab, three skills labs and six simulated exam rooms.
The new facility will expand the program and provide more nurses for an industry that is seeing a huge demand. Florida faces a shortage of 59,000 nurses by 2035, according to a 2021 Florida Hospital Association analysis.
Marion Technical College received a grant for $5.4 million to use to build a new facility to develop new aviation and diesel mechanics
programs. Construction began in August, and the facility is expected to be completed by July 2025.
The hope is to offer the first aviation class in January 2026, said Kim Martsolf, assistant principal of Marion Technical College.
When finished, the facility will have one side with two classrooms dedicated to the aviation air frame mechanics and aviation power plant
mechanics classes. The other side of the facility will have two more classrooms for the diesel mechanics program.
About 12,000 aircraft mechanic positions need to be filled each year to keep up with the demand, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“There’s definitely a demand for diesel (technicians) and aviation because there are so many airports in Florida that there’s a shortage of
mechanics,” Lapane said.
Other fields expecting to see job increases are industrial machinery mechanics and medical equipment repairers, according to FloridaCommerce. The number of industrial machinery mechanics needed is expected to grow at a rate of 19.4% by 2031, and the
medical equipment repair field is expected to grow by about 16.1%.
Getting an Early Start
The push to get high school students into careers begins even before graduation.
In August, Lake County Schools and Marion County Public Schools partnered with Space Florida to join the Space Florida Academy Program, which connects high school students with the aerospace industry and credentials applicable in the field.
“This partnership will provide exciting opportunities for Lake County students, especially within our CTE programs, to pursue careers within the many areas of employment in the space industry,” said Diane Kornegay, superintendent of Lake County Schools.
Marion County Public Schools continues to see an increase in enrollment in its CTE program.
“The number of certification exams we offer year to year has increased pretty significantly over the last several years,” said Christopher Carlisle, director of governmental and community relations for Marion County Public Schools. “These CTE courses are attractive to any kind of student. Even those who want to go to college take part in these programs because they offer an opportunity to have a well-paid summer internship or job.”
At The Villages High School, every student chooses from one of 12 academies to attend during their junior and senior years. The programs
— Advanced Studies, Agriscience, Business and Banking, Computer Science, Construction Management, Culinary Arts, Digital Media
Design, Engineering, Fine Arts, Fitness and Coaching, Graphic Arts and Health Sciences — prepare graduates for their collegiate paths or
offer industry certifications so they can join the workforce immediately.
The academies were added about 19 years ago.
“Part of it was to help feed the workforce in this area,” VHS principal Robin Grant said.
The academies have evolved over the years to keep up with industry advancements and provide as much real-world experience as possible.
“We want to give them the best snapshot of different things. Like in Health Sciences, they may go to five or six different locations to let them get an idea of what they want to do for their career,” Grant said. “All of our academies have that full experience in some form or fashion.”
Students in the Business and Banking Academy, for example, work alongside employees at various Citizens First Bank locations.
Kelly Colley, VHS vice principal, noticed more students taking pre-college classes and CTE courses starting in the 2022-23 school year.
“We have a shrinking number of students who are chasing two-year or four-year colleges,” Colley said. “Instead, we see them chasing those experiences.”
Colley believes there are multiple reasons for the changed mindset.
“I think the economy, I think opportunities, I think competitiveness and if they have a postsecondary interest, they’re seeing that this is
something that can differentiate me from another student,” Colley said.
The school’s new on-the-job training program goes beyond job shadowing and internships. Starting this year, VHS seniors can work in their career field for credit and earn money while doing it. The program is in its infancy, but right now 30 students are enrolled and working for some of the school’s business partners, such as Citizens First Bank and Galaxy Home Solutions.
“We continue to enhance our program,” Colley said. “We are making sure that our students have a better understanding of what our workforce needs are and what’s available in the area.”
VHS Prepares Students for Career Success
The Villages High School offers 12 academies for students to attend during their junior and senior years. The programs — Advanced Studies, Agriscience, Business and Banking, Computer Science, Construction Management, Culinary Arts, Digital Media Design, Engineering, Fine Arts, Fitness and Coaching, Graphic Arts and Health Sciences — prepare graduates for collegiate paths or offer industry certifications so they can join the workforce. These students chose to use that experience to go right to work after high school.
The Villages High School offers 12 academies for students to attend during their junior and senior years. The programs — Advanced Studies, Agriscience, Business and Banking, Computer Science, Construction Management, Culinary Arts, Digital Media Design, Engineering, Fine Arts, Fitness and Coaching, Graphic Arts and Health Sciences — prepare graduates for collegiate paths or offer industry certifications so they can join the workforce. These students chose to use that experience to go right to work after high school.
Alicia Flores | AgriScience
Alicia Flores wasn’t interested in agriscience until she took a tour of The Villages High School academies when she was a sophomore. When she looked into the Agriscience Academy, she saw a video of someone showing off a cow at a county fair. “I just really had to
do that,” Flores said. While in the academy, she earned the Agriculture Education Services & Technology Inc. Agriculture Associates Certification and the AEST Agritechnology Specialist Certification. After graduating in 2021, she started Flores Cattle Company, to
breed cattle for families in FFA or the 4H program. “I always wanted to start something,” Flores said. “I just didn’t know what it would be.” Being part of the Agriscience Academy taught her everything she needed to know about the field and that it would require hard
work. “It also teaches you to respect animals,” Flores said.
do that,” Flores said. While in the academy, she earned the Agriculture Education Services & Technology Inc. Agriculture Associates Certification and the AEST Agritechnology Specialist Certification. After graduating in 2021, she started Flores Cattle Company, to
breed cattle for families in FFA or the 4H program. “I always wanted to start something,” Flores said. “I just didn’t know what it would be.” Being part of the Agriscience Academy taught her everything she needed to know about the field and that it would require hard
work. “It also teaches you to respect animals,” Flores said.
Aidan Maraj | Business and Banking
Aidan Maraj always had a knack for finances. When it was time to enter his junior year at The Villages High School, it didn’t take him long to pick the Business and Banking Academy. “I thought about what would be the most practical,” he said. It helped that his mom worked
in banking, so he had an idea what the profession is like. In the academy, Maraj got hands-on experience working at several Citizens First Bank branches. He also earned certifications in Intuit Personal Finance, the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute’s
Business Financial Management course and the Communication Skills for Business’s Professional Communication program. After graduating from VHS in 2023, he started an internship with Citizens First Bank and now works for the bank as a fraud and dispute
representative. “It’s a very interesting line of work to be in,” Maraj said. “I enjoy it every day.”
in banking, so he had an idea what the profession is like. In the academy, Maraj got hands-on experience working at several Citizens First Bank branches. He also earned certifications in Intuit Personal Finance, the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute’s
Business Financial Management course and the Communication Skills for Business’s Professional Communication program. After graduating from VHS in 2023, he started an internship with Citizens First Bank and now works for the bank as a fraud and dispute
representative. “It’s a very interesting line of work to be in,” Maraj said. “I enjoy it every day.”
Brianna Santiago | Culinary Arts
The skills Brianna Santiago learned through the Culinary Arts Academy at The Villages High School led her to her current job in the industry. Santiago, who graduated from VHS in 2021, is a chef at The Villages Show Kitchen, a venue at The Market at Sawgrass Grove
that hosts cooking demonstrations and more. In the academy, Santiago learned techniques and got hands-on experience by preparing food for school staff and classmates as if she were working in a restaurant. She also earned a ServSafe Certification and the NOCTI Food
Handler Certification in the academy. “It put me at a good starting point for a job working in restaurants,” she said. Santiago said John Woods, who is the head of the Culinary Arts Academy, does a great job preparing his students for the workforce. “It’s a great opportunity,”
she said of the academies. “Lots of them offer certifications and ways to get scholarships.”
that hosts cooking demonstrations and more. In the academy, Santiago learned techniques and got hands-on experience by preparing food for school staff and classmates as if she were working in a restaurant. She also earned a ServSafe Certification and the NOCTI Food
Handler Certification in the academy. “It put me at a good starting point for a job working in restaurants,” she said. Santiago said John Woods, who is the head of the Culinary Arts Academy, does a great job preparing his students for the workforce. “It’s a great opportunity,”
she said of the academies. “Lots of them offer certifications and ways to get scholarships.”
Madison Seitzler | Construction Management
Madison Seitzler grew up around construction and mechanics, but that wasn’t enough to prepare her for what the profession actually entails. Being part of the Construction Management Academy at The Villages High School helped her truly understand the industry. Now,
she is a warranty specialist for The Villages Residential Construction and Home Warranty Office. “I think the biggest thing they prepared us for is that it was going to be a lot of hard work,” Seitzler said. The 2022 graduate earned industry certifications while in the academy,
including the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) 10 license, and also helped build homes through Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter. “Not a lot of people get to experience it from the ground up,” Seitzler said, adding that the process was very
rewarding. “One of the most amazing parts was watching the homeowner’s face light up.”
she is a warranty specialist for The Villages Residential Construction and Home Warranty Office. “I think the biggest thing they prepared us for is that it was going to be a lot of hard work,” Seitzler said. The 2022 graduate earned industry certifications while in the academy,
including the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) 10 license, and also helped build homes through Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter. “Not a lot of people get to experience it from the ground up,” Seitzler said, adding that the process was very
rewarding. “One of the most amazing parts was watching the homeowner’s face light up.”