Okaloosa Technical College Graduate Turns Automotive Dreams into Reality | p12
FCS Month Toolkit
Resources to Celebrate April as Florida College System Month p4
Program Highlight
Laying the Foundation for Success: Brevard Adult Education’s
Pre-Apprenticeship Pathways p8
Meet the Staff
Mark Baird, Ph.D., Associate Vice Chancellor, Career and Technical Education and Apprenticeship p7
WELCOME MESSAGE
Happy Florida College System Month! April is a great time to reflect and recognize the impact of our “Great 28” state colleges and the students, faculty and partners who make this work possible.
The Florida College System continues to expand opportunity across our state, serving more than 686,000 students and awarding over 137,000 degrees, certificates and industry certifications this year alone. Through flexible, affordable programs, our colleges are preparing students for high-wage, in-demand careers while strengthening Florida’s workforce.
From dual enrollment opportunities that save families millions to innovative programs that fuel economic growth, the Florida College System remains a powerful driver of success for all Floridians.
I am so thankful for each and every one of you and the role you play in this success.
KATHY HEBDA Chancellor Division of Florida Colleges Department of Education
T O O L K I T
Florida College System Month is a time to celebrate the 28 state colleges that power opportunity, strengthen our workforce and transform lives across the Sunshine State
This toolkit provides ready-to-use social media graphics, sample posts, messaging and promotional materials to help you share that story Use these resources to spotlight student success, academic excellence and the impact of Florida’s state colleges
MEET THE STAFF
What drives you in your role with the Office of Career and Technical Education?
Mark Baird, Ph.D.
Associate Vice Chancellor, Career & Technical Education and Apprenticeship
I am a strong believer in CTE. I have personally witnessed how transformative and life-changing high-quality CTE programs can be, and I am delighted to play a part in making them accessible to fellow Floridians. Between the personal success of students and the impact on Florida’s workforce, CTE creates an engine of economic development and prosperity for the state.
What excites you most about CTE right now?
I am thrilled about the expansion of work-based learning opportunities, including registered apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships. These programs keep students motivated and engaged and allow them to earn while they learn, gain skills in a hands-on environment working with industry professionals and stack industry-recognized credentials.
What’s something you love to do outside of work?
I like to play tennis and various tabletop games. I enjoy reading, especially science fiction, history, science and current affairs. I am very active in my church community at the Episcopal Church of the Advent.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give educators in CTE?
It’s thanks to you that Florida is the #1 state for workforce education! Keep up the good work you do connecting with and educating students.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT
Laying the Foundation for Success: Brevard Adult Education’s Pre-Apprenticeship Pathways
Submitted by Brevard County School District
The Brevard Adult and Community Education Pre-Apprenticeship Program continues to serve as a powerful launchpad for adults entering high-demand skilled-trade careers. Through multiple training pathways, the program equips learners with the technical knowledge, hands-on experience and industry-recognized certifications needed to transition confidently into registered apprenticeships or entry-level trade positions.
Enrollment has grown steadily as adults in the program seek stable, well-paying careers with long-term potential. Some students arrive looking for a fresh start, others for career advancement and many for the opportunity to build a future they can be proud of. Across all pathways, graduates consistently demonstrate strong skill development, professionalism and readiness for the workforce. Each pre-apprenticeship pathway offers a
rigorous, industry-aligned curriculum designed to mirror real-world expectations and prepare students for the demands of today’s job sites and manufacturing environments.
A major contributor to the program’s success is its strong network of partnerships with local contractors, apprenticeship sponsors and workforce agencies. These partners provide valuable support through job-site tours, guest instruction, equipment donations and direct hiring opportunities. Their involvement ensures that training remains relevant and students have clear, supported pathways into employment.
Beyond technical training, the program places a strong emphasis on essential employability skills. Teamwork, communication, reliability and problem-solving are woven into every pathway, helping students develop the
professional habits employers consistently praise. Many participants share that the supportive environment, personalized instruction and sense of community help them stay motivated and committed to their goals.
As Brevard County continues to expand in construction, manufacturing, aerospace
and space-related industries, the need for skilled workers remains high. The BACE Pre-Apprenticeship Program is meeting that need by preparing dedicated, well-trained individuals across multiple pathways who are ready to contribute to the region’s economic growth and long-term workforce strength.
Teacher explaining programing with the use of cyber dog for pre-apprenticeship cybersecurity pathway.
STUDENT HIGHLIGHT
CTE Success Story – Seth Addington, MHS Class of 2018
Submitted by Milton High School
As the instructor for the advanced manufacturing academy at Milton High School, it is always a source of pride and joy when one of my students takes what they have learned in this program and uses it in their future career.
Seth Addington was one of those amazing students who made such a positive impact as a student at Milton High School. He excelled in both academics and as a cadet in NJROTC, and his character was of the highest integrity. I was blessed to have Seth in my advanced manufacturing technology program all four years during his high school career. Seth earned the full MSSC-CPT (Manufacturing Skill Standards Council-Certified Production Technician) industry certification, which requires passing an exam in all 4 certification areas including Safety, Quality Practices and Measurement, Manufacturing Processes and Production and Maintenance Awareness. Seth also became very skilled at using SolidWorks to create items for 3D printing. He was the all-around perfect student.
After graduation, Seth began working for a local company, Industrial Energy Services, where they make energy efficient LED lighting for commercial and industrial buildings. His MSSC-CPT industry certification helped him in getting hired as a higher qualified job applicant, which allowed him to work on higher level machinery.
In 2021, Seth joined the Air Force, where he continued to show his dedication to excellence. His superb work ethic has been recognized over and over throughout his military service. Seth has been named Outstanding Armament Technician at Nellis Air Force Base and Airman of the Year for 2023. He received the Air and Space Achievement Medal in July 2024 for Meritorious Service.
Seth graduated from Airmen Leadership School in March 2025 and was later promoted to Staff Sergeant of the 57th Maintenance Group. Seth is now certified to work on any military plane and has just re-enlisted for another 4 years. He is a crew chief and is responsible for several
airmen. His job includes installing weapons on the planes and ensuring they are in working order.
Seth Addington is the perfect example of an outstanding CTE student who worked
hard to attain the industry certifications for advanced manufacturing technology, and then went on to pursue a career in the realm of manufacturing where he continues to make a positive impact in the world.
Seth Addington
STUDENT HIGHLIGHT
Okaloosa Technical College Graduate Turns Automotive Dreams into Reality
Submitted by Okaloosa Technical College
Jackson Shirey, a graduate of Niceville High School and the Automotive Technology program at Okaloosa Technical College, is proving that dedication, hard work and a clear vision can turn dreams into reality. From an early age, Shirey set his sights on a future in the automotive and racing industry, with the ultimate goal of working for a professional race team. To begin building that future, he enrolled in the Automotive Technology program at Okaloosa Technical College (OTC) during his junior and senior years of high school. Determined to master his craft, Shirey
returned to OTC after graduating high school complete the program.
His commitment paid off. Shirey completed the automotive program as an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Master Certified Technician, a distinction that reflects advanced technical knowledge and handson expertise. Continuing his education, Shirey enrolled at the University of North Florida (UNF) in Jacksonville, where he is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. While attending UNF, he has combined his technical background
with leadership and business skills as treasurer of the university’s Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) racing team. In that role, Shirey played a key part in negotiating a $100,000 partnership between UNF Racing and the Brumos Collection. This significant achievement demonstrates his ability to connect industry, education and motorsports.
Now, Shirey’s long-standing dream of working with a race team is closer than ever. He was recently accepted into the
SPARK (Students Preserving American Racing Knowledge) Internship Program, earning the opportunity to intern with Lone Star Racing during the iconic Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway, North America’s most prestigious sports car race. With each milestone, Jackson Shirey continues to build momentum toward a career in motorsports. His journey from high school student to an aspiring professional in the racing world serves as an example of what can be achieved through persistence, education and passion.
Jackson Shirey
Florida Celebrates April as Florida College System Month
Tallahassee, Fla., April 1, 2026 – Today, Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas kicked off Florida College System (FCS) Month, highlighting the power ful impact of Florida’s 28 state colleges as the primary gateway to postsecondary education and one of the key drivers of economic growth across the state. Florida ranks number one in the nation in higher education, workforce education, graduation rates, affordability, and attracting and retaining talent.
Read full press release >>
ICYMI: Florida Reaches #1 in Workforce Education
Tallahassee, Fla., February 17, 2026 –Today, in recognition of Career and Technical Education (CTE) month, Governor Ron DeSantis announced Florida’s achievement as the number one state in the nation for workforce education fulfilling Executive Order 19-31 five years ahead of the 2030 goal. This milestone reflects Governor DeSantis’ more than $12 billion commitment to workforce education and builds on Florida’s broader record of excellence, including top rankings in higher education, talent attraction, and education freedom. These accomplishments position Florida as the national leader in preparing a skilled, future-ready workforce through historic investments and industry-driven programs. Read full press release >>
