Florida State College at Jacksonville secured a U.S. Navy contract in partnership with Fleet Readiness Center Southeast for an apprenticeship program.
The program offers apprentices up to four years of tuition-free education and training in one of eight skilled trades while they earn an hourly wage and benefits as an employee at Naval Air Station Jacksonville.
“This program is a great example of how FSCJ works with engaged partners to develop impactful opportunities that help our students from the military community throughout their educational and career preparation journey,” FSCJ President John Avendano said in a news release.
After acceptance into the program, apprentices are employed by the center while completing courses to earn credit toward FSCJ’s Engineering Technology Support Specialist Technical Certificate.
The program is a combination of college-level classes and hands-on training that helps students develop the required skills for a trades career.
Apprentices will work with experienced employees who teach and mentor them to step into a variety of positions such as machinists, sheet metal mechanics, aircraft mechanics, aircraft electricians, pneumatic/hydraulic system mechanics, electronics mechanics, aircraft engine mechanics and painters.
After successful completion of the program, apprentices are guaranteed a job in the federal government.
With nearly 40,000 students and awarding close to 5,500 degrees and technical certificates each year, FSCJ helps supply the region’s employers with a skilled, educated workforce.