Lake Technical College and Lake-Sumter State College are joining forces with the Florida Department of Education for a new workforce initiative.
Titled “Get There Florida,” the initiative highlights key benefits of programs available locally in Lake and Sumter Counties and to all Floridians statewide.
Dr. Diane Culpepper, executive director of Lake Technical College, is a big supporter of the workforce education initiative.
“A skilled workforce will drive the rebuilding of our economy,” she said. “I am thrilled the governor and the Florida Department of Education have created this initiative to help spread the word about the value of career and technical education and the importance of postsecondary workforce credentials and industry certifications.
“Lake Technical College is pleased to be an educational partner in preparing students for their careers in the fastest growing occupations of today and tomorrow.”
“In Lake and Sumter Counties, LSSC and Lake Technical College are already strong partners in preparing students to ‘Get There’ in today’s increasingly competitive workforce,” said Dr. Stanley Sidor, president of Lake-Sumter State College. “As we continue to meet the needs of our employers through workforce training and education, stackable credentials and certifications are crucial to our student’s career success, while saving them valuable time and money.”
Career and technical education, often referred to as “CTE”, serves as a critical component in preparing people for occupations important to Florida’s economic development. Program offerings are organized into 17 career paths and are geared toward middle school, high school, district technical college and Florida College System students throughout the state.
“’Get There’ accelerates student success, preparing them for their future and ensuring a talented workforce,” said Kathy Hebda, chancellor of the Florida College System. “With 28 state colleges and 48 technical colleges and centers spanning the state, there is a program for everyone. Whether you’ve recently experienced job loss, graduated high school or are simply looking for a career change or opportunity to stack your credentials into a degree – we want to help you ‘Get There.’”
At Lake Technical College, students can enroll in an in-demand, high-quality workforce program, move quickly and gain critical skills needed in Central Florida’s essential and emerging industries. Lake Technical College has more than 30 career and technical education programs which include:
- Professional Culinary Arts;
- Accounting Operations;
- CNC Production Specialist;
- Automotive Collision Technology Technician; and
- Pharmacy Technician.
Through a unique partnership, students who complete programs at Lake Technical College can transfer to Lake-Sumter State College and receive up to 27 credits toward an associate degree – including career paths in healthcare, engineering, law enforcement and management.
Lake-Sumter State College offers a growing variety of technical certificate, college-credit certificate, associate degree and bachelor’s degree programs designed to create pathways into today’s dynamic workforce.
“The wide-ranging effects of COVID-19 are just beginning to be realized across our state’s workforce,” said Henry Mack, chancellor for Career, Technical and Adult Education. “This initiative was born from the need to match those seeking reemployment or advancement in the workplace with employers whose products and services either facilitate relief and response to the COVID-19 disruption or are not susceptible to disruption.”
At GetThereFL.com, Floridians can learn more about CTE and workforce training programs available at state and technical colleges, align their interests with a career path and connect with their local institution to enroll.
