KISSIMMEE — Valencia College will unveil the newest addition to its Osceola Campus on Jan. 6, 2020, when the new Careers in Industry and Technology Building opens for classes.
The 54,000-square-foot building will house several new workforce-oriented degree programs, including a new Associate in Science degree program in engineering technology, with specializations in advanced manufacturing and supply chain automation.
The $18 million building will also house classes for the Osceola Campus’s degree programs in residential property management, along with hospitality and tourism management. The three Associate in Science degree programs will expand the portfolio of workforce degree programs available in Osceola County.
“I am delighted that Valencia’s new Careers in Industry and Technology building will provide much-needed access to education and training for careers that are in high-demand in our community,” said Kathleen Plinske, provost and executive vice president of Valencia College and president of the college’s Osceola, Lake Nona and Poinciana campuses. “This state-of-the-art facility will create opportunities for hands-on, experiential learning to prepare students directly for the workforce.”
The new CIT building will also serve as the new Osceola County location for CareerSource Central Florida. CareerSource Central Florida frequently partners with Valencia College to provide training for unemployed and underemployed workers.
“CareerSource Central Florida is very excited to work together onsite with Valencia College to ignite the potential of career seekers and businesses in Osceola County. This invaluable partnership with the college creates career pathways to professional skills for area residents and delivers qualified talent to growing businesses,” said Pamela Nabors, president and CEO of CareerSource Central Florida. “In fact, in the last three years, CSCF has supported over 1,300 individuals enrolled in Valencia’s advanced skills training programs putting people to work at good wages. This is the next level of an incredible partnership that benefits the regional economy.”
Several of Valencia’s short-term workforce training programs will also start classes at the new location on Jan. 21, including Valencia’s mechatronics program, which is currently housed at Valencia’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Center in Kissimmee. Over the course of 22 weeks, mechatronics technicians learn electrical, technical and computer skills that enable graduates to troubleshoot mechanical systems in everything from assembly lines to computerized theme park rides.
The CIT facility will also house Valencia’s short-term training program for apartment maintenance technicians, as well as a mock apartment to be used by students in the hospitality and residential property management programs.
The building was designed and built by HuntonBrady Architects and Clancy & Theys Construction Company.