Pasco-Hernando State College was awarded $227,943 in funding through the Florida Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant (PCOG) program for 2023-2024.
The funds are part of an overall $14.4 million appropriation approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis during National Apprenticeship Week. These funds are aimed to help start, expand, or operate registered apprenticeship and preapprenticeship programs at Florida school districts, colleges, state universities and private training entities. The funding will support over 5,000 participants as they commit to receiving on-the-job training and related classroom instruction simultaneously.
“The funds will support both apprenticeship programs by allowing the purchase of equipment, tools, materials, and consumable supplies that are needed for the program. In addition, it will also fund instructors and curriculum that is used in the programs,” said Christopher Brantley, Ed.D., Assistant Dean, PHSC Workforce Development and Career & Technical Education.
PHSC currently offers an apartment maintenance technician apprenticeship program. Students in this program learn skills such as appliance repair, HVAC, basic electrical, basic plumbing, carpentry, punch skills and more through in-classroom instruction and on-the-job training.
“The apprenticeship programs are important because they provide an opportunity to learn new skills that are in high demand within our local area. Students can also retrain and gain new skills that will allow them to be employable in a new field,” said Brantley.
As the only college in the area to receive this grant funding PHSC is looking to further expand its apprenticeship offerings with help from the PCOG.
“The apprenticeship program has a bright future. We are currently working on a buildout of a Construction and Design program at Gower's Corner. Once completed, it will house both our apprenticeship programs, Construction and Design and Apartment Maintenance Technician. In addition, the new site will allow the college to collaborate with local partners in the construction industry. Through these local partnerships, we will be able to expand the programs to meet the needs of the local community,” said Brantley.
Recently PHSC received 2special mobile training stations outfitted with electrical, plumbing, and HVAC simulators to complement its AMT program with the ability to offer training throughout the area. The mobile trainers were acquired with funds from a prior grant and are a direct testament to opportunities grants like the PCOG provide.
For more information visit: phsc.edu/apprenticeships.