Governor Ron DeSantis held a press conference Thursday morning from Northwest Florida State College in Niceville where he announced more than $2.8 million is being awarded to NWFSC through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to fund a new diesel mechanic technician training program.
- The program is slated to support a broad range of industries through transferable skills to include the Florida Department of Transportation, heavy-duty trucks, transit, school bus and construction equipment.
- Nearly 70% of all freight shipped in the United States is carried by commercial diesel vehicles. There is a high demand, not only for people to operate the vehicles, but people who can repair and maintain the vehicles.
- In Okaloosa County, DeSantis believes there will be close to a 20% increase in demand over the next five years with students making $60,000+ a year.
“We’re doing a lot to highlight initiatives to help with job growth in the state of Florida, and that involves infrastructure and workforce training. We see a lot of businesses in finance, aerospace, manufacturing, and logistics where there’s a huge demand for skilled employees,” said DeSantis.
- Today’s announcement really builds off that insight. It builds off of what they’ve already done at Northwest Florida State College.
Education Week ranked Florida’s K-12 schools #3 in the country and for 5 years in a row, the public university system #1. “We’re committed to not just university education, but vocational education as well,” says DeSantis.
DeSantis was joined by Department of Economic Opportunity Secretary Dane Eagle, NWFSC President Dr. Devin Stevenson, and Chair of the Board, Lori Kelly.
- “Governor DeSantis providing this award will help individuals in the Panhandle gain technical skills that will grow the workforce in surrounding rural communities,” said Secretary Dane Eagle.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for diesel service technicians and mechanics is expected to increase by 8% over the next 10 years, and in Walton and Okaloosa counties, current projections show an 18% increase in demand for transit technicians over the next five years.
“We know that business and industry in Northwest Florida is counting on us to provide the education to support the jobs of the 21st Century,” said NWFSC President Dr. Devin Stephenson.
The program projects to have 340 students complete the program over a seven-year period. The local area currently has only one Transit Technician program within 150 miles of NWFSC.
