Yesterday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that $3.7 million has been awarded through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to Valencia College to start a robotics technician program to support semiconductor and other advanced manufacturing in Osceola County.
The newest Accelerated Skills Training program will be located on Valencia’s Osceola Campus and will have two tracks: a 14-week robotics technology program with training that is applicable across multiple manufacturing and logistics sectors, and a 20-week specialized robotics program that trains technicians to work in the semiconductor industry.
The two programs combined are expected to train 120 people in the first two years for jobs with average starting salaries of $21 to $27 an hour. Both programs will lead to industry certifications, with credits that can be transferred toward related Associate in Science degree programs.
Speaking about the college’s Accelerated Skills Training programs, Gov. DeSantis said, “Valencia College has a proven track record of success. Across their programs, 95 percent of students graduate and, on average, 81 percent are employed in their field within just one month.”
The robotics program was one of two local initiatives that were announced at the Center for NeoVation in NeoCity in Osceola County. The governor also presented a $6 million grant to Osceola County to help fund the construction of Neovation Way, a road that would directly link NeoCity to Neptune Road.
The governor’s office said that together, the two awards will create manufacturing jobs while developing a talent pipeline to support industry growth.