Santa Fe College has been awarded a $1.57 million grant to expand its engineering technology training into rural areas of Alachua and Bradford Counties. The funding comes from the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program, also known as Workforce CAP, which distributed $40 million statewide to support education programs in industries with high demand.
The college received the largest award among Florida’s state colleges. The funds will be used to purchase a mobile classroom and lab equipped with modern training tools and computers. This setup will allow Santa Fe College to deliver the Certified Production Technician program at multiple locations, including rural centers.
Dr. Paul Broadie II, President of Santa Fe College, said, “This grant will have a significant impact on our delivery of education throughout the communities we serve, and enable us to expand educational opportunities into rural areas with our new, state-of-the-art mobile teaching labs. I want to thank the Commissioner and the Department of Education for supporting us as we meet the needs of today’s workforce need for highly skilled employees. Students who complete the program will be able to pursue the high-wage, high-growth opportunities that will allow them to thrive right here at home.”
The program is designed to help students earn a Production Technician certificate that can lead directly to jobs in manufacturing while they work toward an Associate in Science Degree in Engineering Technology – Advanced Manufacturing at Santa Fe College’s Cellon Institute.
High school students participating in dual enrollment will also have access to this training as part of efforts to provide early college experience.
Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas commented on the broader initiative: “Florida’s workforce is stronger than ever because we are investing directly in students and the programs that prepare them for success. This $40 million investment expands opportunities across the state, giving students access to cutting-edge training and ensuring Florida remains the best place to build a career.”
