July 14, 2026
Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins Visits Southern Technical College–Sanford to Highlight Florida’s Future Workforce and Growing Industrial Economy
SANFORD, Fla. — July 14, 2026 — More than 100 Southern Technical College students joined faculty, the Sanford Regional Chamber of Commerce, City of Sanford Mayor Art Woodruff, local employers, workforce leaders, Program Advisory Council members, and community partners in welcoming Florida Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins to Southern Technical College–Sanford for a workforce education and student engagement visit focused on preparing Florida’s future workforce through career education, employer partnerships, and industry collaboration.
The visit showcased the critical role career, and technical education plays in preparing students for high-demand careers while strengthening the talent pipeline that supports Florida’s continued economic growth.
Throughout the morning, Lieutenant Governor Collins met with students and faculty, participated in a hands-on HVAC training experience, and engaged with business and community leaders to discuss workforce development, employer engagement, and the importance of aligning education with the evolving needs of Florida’s economy.
Students representing healthcare, skilled trades, and technical education programs had the opportunity to meet with Lieutenant Governor Collins, discuss their educational journeys, demonstrate the hands-on skills they are developing, ask questions and learn how workforce education is opening doors to rewarding careers across the state.
Discussions also explored Florida’s opportunity to continue attracting major industrial investment, including advanced manufacturing, maritime manufacturing, commercial and military shipbuilding, crane manufacturing, transportation infrastructure, energy production, logistics, and other high-demand industries. As these sectors continue to expand, workforce readiness remains essential to ensuring employers have access to highly trained professionals capable of supporting Florida’s long-term economic competitiveness.
“Florida’s continued success depends on investing in the people who will build, maintain, innovate, and lead our state’s future,” said Lieutenant Governor Jarrid “Jay” Collins. “Institutions like Southern Technical College are preparing students with the technical skills, work ethic, and career pathways that employers need today and will continue to need in the years ahead. Expanding workforce education and Registered Apprenticeships strengthens our economy while creating meaningful opportunities for Floridians to build rewarding careers right here at home.”
“The City of Sanford is proud to support educational institutions that serve as economic engines for our community,” said Mayor Art Woodruff. “Southern Technical College is helping prepare the skilled workforce that our local employers depend upon while creating opportunities for residents to build successful careers. Bringing together students, educators, employers, and state leadership demonstrates the kind of collaboration that strengthens both our city and our regional economy.”
“Today’s visit demonstrates what is possible when education, business, government, and community leaders come together around a shared goal—preparing students for meaningful careers while strengthening Florida’s workforce,” said Dr. Wilfredo Barreto, Executive Director of Southern Technical College–Sanford. “Every student who walks through our doors represents future talent for Florida’s employers, and every partnership we build creates new opportunities for those students to succeed.”
Lieutenant Governor Collins also met with local business leaders, Chamber representatives, employers, workforce professionals, and community stakeholders to discuss strengthening partnerships that align education with employer demand while supporting continued economic development throughout Central Florida.
Southern Technical College remains committed to providing students with educational experiences that extend beyond the classroom by connecting them with employers, elected officials, workforce organizations, and community leaders. These experiences help students better understand career opportunities, strengthen professional networks, and gain firsthand insight into the partnerships that drive workforce and economic development throughout Florida.
As Florida continues to attract new employers and expand industries such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing, construction, energy, transportation, logistics, maritime operations, and the skilled trades, Southern Technical College remains committed to developing the highly trained workforce that will help drive the state’s economic future. Through employer partnerships and career-focused education, the college is preparing students to meet the evolving needs of Florida’s economy while creating pathways to long-term career success.
About Southern Technical College
Southern Technical College is a private institution dedicated to preparing students for successful careers through hands-on, career-focused education. Offering programs in healthcare, skilled trades, business, information technology, and other high-demand fields, the college partners with employers and community leaders to help meet workforce needs across Florida.
Southern Technical College is committed to developing graduates who are equipped with the technical knowledge, professional skills, and real-world experience needed to succeed in today’s evolving economy.
www.southerntech.edu
The visit showcased the critical role career, and technical education plays in preparing students for high-demand careers while strengthening the talent pipeline that supports Florida’s continued economic growth.
Throughout the morning, Lieutenant Governor Collins met with students and faculty, participated in a hands-on HVAC training experience, and engaged with business and community leaders to discuss workforce development, employer engagement, and the importance of aligning education with the evolving needs of Florida’s economy.
Students representing healthcare, skilled trades, and technical education programs had the opportunity to meet with Lieutenant Governor Collins, discuss their educational journeys, demonstrate the hands-on skills they are developing, ask questions and learn how workforce education is opening doors to rewarding careers across the state.
Discussions also explored Florida’s opportunity to continue attracting major industrial investment, including advanced manufacturing, maritime manufacturing, commercial and military shipbuilding, crane manufacturing, transportation infrastructure, energy production, logistics, and other high-demand industries. As these sectors continue to expand, workforce readiness remains essential to ensuring employers have access to highly trained professionals capable of supporting Florida’s long-term economic competitiveness.
“Florida’s continued success depends on investing in the people who will build, maintain, innovate, and lead our state’s future,” said Lieutenant Governor Jarrid “Jay” Collins. “Institutions like Southern Technical College are preparing students with the technical skills, work ethic, and career pathways that employers need today and will continue to need in the years ahead. Expanding workforce education and Registered Apprenticeships strengthens our economy while creating meaningful opportunities for Floridians to build rewarding careers right here at home.”
“The City of Sanford is proud to support educational institutions that serve as economic engines for our community,” said Mayor Art Woodruff. “Southern Technical College is helping prepare the skilled workforce that our local employers depend upon while creating opportunities for residents to build successful careers. Bringing together students, educators, employers, and state leadership demonstrates the kind of collaboration that strengthens both our city and our regional economy.”
“Today’s visit demonstrates what is possible when education, business, government, and community leaders come together around a shared goal—preparing students for meaningful careers while strengthening Florida’s workforce,” said Dr. Wilfredo Barreto, Executive Director of Southern Technical College–Sanford. “Every student who walks through our doors represents future talent for Florida’s employers, and every partnership we build creates new opportunities for those students to succeed.”
Lieutenant Governor Collins also met with local business leaders, Chamber representatives, employers, workforce professionals, and community stakeholders to discuss strengthening partnerships that align education with employer demand while supporting continued economic development throughout Central Florida.
Southern Technical College remains committed to providing students with educational experiences that extend beyond the classroom by connecting them with employers, elected officials, workforce organizations, and community leaders. These experiences help students better understand career opportunities, strengthen professional networks, and gain firsthand insight into the partnerships that drive workforce and economic development throughout Florida.
As Florida continues to attract new employers and expand industries such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing, construction, energy, transportation, logistics, maritime operations, and the skilled trades, Southern Technical College remains committed to developing the highly trained workforce that will help drive the state’s economic future. Through employer partnerships and career-focused education, the college is preparing students to meet the evolving needs of Florida’s economy while creating pathways to long-term career success.
About Southern Technical College
Southern Technical College is a private institution dedicated to preparing students for successful careers through hands-on, career-focused education. Offering programs in healthcare, skilled trades, business, information technology, and other high-demand fields, the college partners with employers and community leaders to help meet workforce needs across Florida.
Southern Technical College is committed to developing graduates who are equipped with the technical knowledge, professional skills, and real-world experience needed to succeed in today’s evolving economy.
www.southerntech.edu
Contact:
Cate Manley, Director of Corporate Development & Media Relations Southern Technical College
cmanley@metisholdings.net
