Preparing students to become successful in careers goes beyond providing a collegiate experience. Knowledge acquired in the academic setting is simply education. Learning how to apply that knowledge in a work setting is career preparation. Connecting the dots between academic knowledge and career performance is a key objective for Florida Technical College (FTC).
FTC leaders work proactively to assess future employment growth and build programs to close the talent gap for employers. President David Ruggieri and his team at FTC keep a finger on the economic pulse of the Central Florida communities they serve.
“From IT to health care, from film to entrepreneurship, today’s technical and vocational schools reflect the needs of the modern marketplace,” Ruggieri says.
A Win for Students and Employers
Florida Hospital Medical Group (FHMG) has a high standard for hiring team members to work in its more than 160 medical specialty offices in Central Florida. Aside from the necessary competencies needed for each position, FHMG recruiters look for the soft skills that will enable prospective employees to fit into the culture of the organization.
Charity Thalacker, FHMG recruiter, appreciates her organization’s relationship with FTC. “When I was hired and realized the number of employees to be recruited, I visited schools to experience the programs first hand,” she says. “FTC stood out to me as providing valuable and meaningful training.”
“We have built an externship program with FTC that allows their students practical worksite experience and helps us evaluate students as potential employees. FTC understands how important our mission is to us and they prepare their students accordingly. The VP of career services at FTC screens applicants before she sends them to be interviewed. She knows what we are looking for and helps us make great hires.”
FTC President David Ruggieri understands the benefit of relationships like the one with FHMG. “We are driven by two key outcomes: to prepare and place graduates in rewarding careers and to provide employers with a strong talent pool. Our relationship with Florida Hospital Medical Group exemplifies how we work to achieve those outcomes. It’s a win for our students and the employers we serve.”
The FTC Difference
Structure Many careers today allow flexible scheduling, and some workers are able to telecommute. But the majority of vocational positions still call for regular, punctual attendance. FTC believes that discipline should begin in college. In a traditional collegiate setting, the professor provides the assignments and test dates but rarely takes attendance. While students may be able to perform academically without attending class, they’re not prepared for team accountability in a work setting. FTC ensures its graduates are as responsible with their scheduling as they are with knowledge retention.
Maturity The average student age at FTC is 25. Enrolled in programs of their choice, they work hard to academically excel in the coursework that will prepare them for a demanding labor market. Classes at FTC are offered at varying times to allow students who work full time to earn a degree for their next career move.
Relationships The class settings at FTC are intimate, with opportunities for attentive instruction from professors. A majority of FTC faculty members hold positions or come directly from the workplace setting. They serve dual roles as academic instructors and professional mentors, helping students learn how to apply academic principles to real-life work.
FTC’s relationships extend beyond the classroom as employers work closely with the college. These partnerships enable employers to communicate expectations and job growth projections in order for FTC to best prepare students for in-demand careers. Externship programs allow students and employers the opportunity to measure job fit before either makes a commitment.
For more information on how your company can partner with Florida Technical College to close your talent gap, contact:
Dr. Karen White, VP Career Services,
kmwhite@ftccollege.edu
(787) 664-5699.