In celebration of National and Florida Apprenticeship Week, FSCJ hosted the first annual Apprenticeship Open House on November 17. Organized by the Florida Apprenticeship Grant Team, the event’s purpose was to introduce potential employers to the value of registered apprenticeships for their industries.

Executive Chair for the School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics/Downtown Campus President Dr. Marie Gnage and Associate Vice President of Workforce Education and Economic Development Linda Woodard welcomed 55 representatives from area union and non-union employers representing the healthcare, IT and manufacturing industries.

Distinguished guests from the U.S. Department of Labor and the Florida Department of Education also attended. Al Herndon of the Florida Masonry Apprentice and Education Foundation, Inc. led a presentation regarding the creation of new apprenticeships.

In addition, Miller Electric’s Tim Hinson shared his experience of utilizing FSCJ’s articulation agreement with the Jacksonville International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) to grant credits toward the Associate in Science (A.S.) in Industrial Management Technology.

After a question-and-answer forum facilitated by the guest speakers, attendees were given interactive tours of the manufacturing and IT labs. Following the open house, several employers in attendance have contacted the grant team to explore possibilities of establishing apprenticeships.