Students interested in advanced manufacturing careers will be able to enroll in manufacturing programs at Port Charlotte High School and Charlotte Technical College.
Charlotte County Public Schools was awarded $1.4 million through the Florida Department of Education’s Workforce Capitalization Incentive Grant Program to fund programs that will prepare students for high-demand, high-wage career paths.
Advanced manufacturing classes will be taught to students at the high school under the direction of Principal Louis Long.
Charlotte Technical College is renting space in an industrial building near Punta Gorda Airport for CTC students, under the direction of the school Director Cynthia Gulsby, said Claudette Smith, spokesperson for the school district.
The location of the CTC program “will allow greater collaboration with employers to connect students to the workforce,” Smith said.
The programs will begin to be promoted in January 2025, so the exact number of students who will participate is unknown, but the district expects significant interest, Smith said.
The program will start at Port Charlotte High in August 2025, and the tentative date for the program at CTC is January 2026.
Both the high school and technical college will collaborate with key industry partners, including Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association, Space Florida and Florida Semiconductor Institute.
“These partnerships will help us connect students with local employers like Vestas aircoil and other companies in the region that require skilled manufacturing workers,” she said.
The curriculum has already been created. At the high school, the Advanced Manufacturing Technology program will have three classes: Advanced Manufacturing Technology 1, 2, and 3.
Charlotte Technical College’s Advanced Manufacturing and Production Technology program will offer four classes: Entry-Level Production Worker, Production Quality and Assurance, Manufacturing and Production Processes and Manufacturing and Production Maintenance.
“This funding represents a significant investment in the future of our students and our community and perfectly aligns with our Space Florida partnership,” Superintendent Mark Vianello said. “By adding advanced manufacturing programs at Charlotte Technical College and Port Charlotte High School, we are offering more choices within our Career Planning Guide and building a strong local talent pipeline. These programs will equip our students with the skills needed for high-paying careers right here in Southwest Florida, ensuring they are prepared for the workforce and ready to succeed.”
The advanced manufacturing program will provide students with cutting-edge training and certifications that meet industry standards, offering a direct path to employment in one of the region’s fastest-growing sectors. Through partnerships with local businesses, students will also have opportunities to participate in internships and apprenticeships, gaining real-world experience, he added.
Derek Rooney, president of the Charlotte County Economic Development Partnership, said that the advanced manufacturing programs will provide the next generation with skills that align with industry demands.
In addition to advanced manufacturing programs, CCPS “remains committed to providing students with resources to explore various career options. The district’s Career Planning Guide offers comprehensive information on career paths, including advanced manufacturing, while Space Florida’s Space Academies provide opportunities for students interested in aerospace and related industries,” Vianello said.
CTC’s new Airframe and Powerplant training center with classrooms and a large, new hangar is under construction and is expected to be completed in December 2025.
Aviation students are already being taught on Charlotte County Airport Authority land, but due to the popularity of the program, it has outgrown its present facility.
The aviation program is a partnership between CTC and the airport authority.
After the aviation programs began, the school board launched the Space Academy.
