Language will no longer be a barrier to Spanish-speaking Osceola County residents as they now have the opportunity to complete two skills-based programs in their native language.
ORLANDO, FL. November 4, 2021 — In keeping with its commitment to increase equitable access to higher education for Hispanics and minorities alike while strengthening local communities, Florida Technical College (FTC) announces the expansion of its Electrical and Welding Diploma Program fully taught in Spanish in its Kissimmee Campus.
The new addition brings the total of programs taught in Spanish to 8. In 2017, FTC launched its first program in Spanish to help meet a growing need for skilled professionals, and at the same time, accommodate an increasing population of Latino students. More than 51 percent of Osceola County residents are Hispanic, according to the latest U.S. Census data.
“FTC continues to meet learners where they are. This expansion is another example of our commitment toward the advancement of Latinos,” said FTC President Dr. James Burkett. “It’s a win-win for our students and our community. An investment in education benefits all stakeholders — students, taxpayers, businesses, and the community as whole. While preparing students for the workplace, education has the potential to close skills gaps and shrink income disparities.”
The nine-month Electrical Diploma with PLC Program is taught one class per month, four days a week, in five-hour blocks. Students engage in hands-on projects learning basic wiring, pipe bending, motor controls, and other relevant skills. In addition, this program also teaches the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). Each class is capped at 25 students.
FTC Welding Diploma Program curriculum, provided by the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER), offers the technical and practical knowledge needed to interpret manufacturing and construction drawings, calculate measures, and bend, cut, grind, and weld ferrous and nonferrous metals. Students will learn shielded metal arc, gas metal arc, flux core arc, gas tungsten arc, and pipe welding.
FTC’s dedication to the Hispanic community includes the recent launch of the “Reach Higher” Business Scholarship. In partnership with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando, the annual Hispanic Heritage Month scholarship initiative awards one full FTC scholarship for the bachelor’s degree program in Business Entrepreneurship, Management, and Marketing.
FTC has a flexible schedule in all its seven Florida campuses. The school is an academic unit of NUC University, which is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Financial aid is available for those who qualify. For additional information or to register, call 855-201-4759
About FTC: Founded in 1982 to provide private, post-secondary education in specialized fields, Florida Technical College is an academic unit of NUC University (NUC), which is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267- 284-5000) www.msche.org. The MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). FTC offers diploma, associate, and bachelor’s degree programs in a range of professions, including Healthcare, Construction Trades, Hospitality, Beauty, Information Technology, and Business. FTC campuses are located in Orlando, Kissimmee, Lakeland, DeLand, Pembroke Pines, Cutler Bay, and Tampa. Program availability varies by campus.
