Palm Beach Post (editorial): FSCJ leads in apprenticeships

Link to article: https://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/20200105/doctors-help-homeless

The role of a community college was exemplified by the recent award to Florida State College at Jacksonville as one of the top 15 grantees of the American Apprenticeship Grants.

The grants promote the expansion of apprenticeships in manufacturing, construction, trades, health care and information technology.

These often are good-paying jobs that provide a living without requiring a college education. And they are needed due to the large number of boomers who are retiring.

The goal over a five-year period was to serve 1,000 workers. In fact, 1,245 workers are being served with 10 months remaining in the grant cycle, FSCJ reported in a news release.

Other members of the consortium are St. Petersburg College and Broward College.

“We are proud to support the work of the American Apprenticeship Initiative through the Florida Apprenticeship Grant program,” said College President John Avendano.

“By engaging with various industries who welcome apprenticeship programs, our representatives have seen great success in establishing similar programs for other high-need occupations that have not traditionally explored the opportunities that apprenticeships may provide for their work force.”