As the nation faces a growing shortage of skilled trade workers, the Florida State University Facilities Department has launched a work-based learning program for local high school students.
The new program, Pathway to Success, provides practical, hands-on experience and a resource for the potential employment of student trainees upon completing the program and graduation. Students from Wakulla High School’s Career and Technical Education Program are the first to participate in the study-related work experience aimed at equipping students with fundamental technical and job readiness skills to thrive in a registered apprenticeship program.
“The success of FSU and similar organizations lies in the strength of skilled trades workers,” said Associate Vice President for Facilities Mike Jednak. “Our goal is to invest in the next generation of skilled workers by tapping into the eager and can-do attitude of our local high school students.”
The United States needs more than half a million skilled trades workers to keep up with the demand for labor, according to Associated Builders and Contractors.
Wakulla High students Tristain Shivers and Christopher Wells joined the Facilities Control Shop as Controls Technician trainees this spring. Working under a senior technician, they are learning how to troubleshoot various systems on campus, primarily related to HVAC.
Students also will learn the fundamentals of repair and replacement for variable speed drives, machine-specific controllers, air compressor controls, boiler controls, heat exchangers, fume hoods, lab controls and chiller controls. While employed at FSU through Pathways to Success, the Wakulla High students simultaneously earn credit toward their academic trade program.
Sally Wheeler, career and technical education coordinator at Wakulla High School, said the program’s benefits are twofold: it supplements the in-class instruction experience by providing practical experience and is a resource for potential employment upon successful program completion and graduation.
“Our students benefit from being placed in real-world settings where they must think critically and problem-solve,” Wheeler said. “With the guidance of an experienced professional, students can learn techniques and best practices that are attractive to potential employers upon graduation.”
FSU Facilities and Wakulla High School worked together to create a set of program objectives and criteria for student eligibility. During the student training period, both entities collaborate to support the Career and Technical Education curricula throughout the program. High schools with Career and Technical Education programs around the region are invited to participate in Pathways to Success.
As FSU’s initial partner in Pathways to Success, Robert Pearce, Wakulla County School Board superintendent, is confident that the program will benefit the students’ career development.
“With the increased emphasis at the state level on career and technical programs, the development of partnership programs like this are especially important,” Pearce said. “The Pathways to Success program provides what all stakeholders want as an outcome for our students: increased opportunity and choice. We are excited to see where our students can go with innovative programs like this.”
FSU’s pathways include exploration of electrical, plumbing, control tech and general trades. Students over 16 years of age enrolled in a high school career and technical education program are eligible to apply.
For questions or more information, contact Chelsey Falb at c.falb@fsu.edu.