Suzette Cook
Santa Fe College (SF) and the School Board of Alachua County (SBAC) agreed this week to join forces to offer industry certification programs for adults.
The first Achieve, Conquer, Believe Excel Program (ACB) to be taught during evening classes at Loften High School will be a facilities maintenance certificate. The program “encompasses all of the basic skills an individual needs to be successfully employed in a facilities department in a local business, such as a hospital, apartment complex, or company,” according to Dr. Jen Homard, director of high school dual enrollment at SF.
The two components to the agreement the SBAC approved at its Tuesday meeting involve instruction through the Career and Technical Education program (CTE) and supervision for children who have parents taking the courses.
“The parties recognize the need to increase access to higher education including Career Technical offerings for the community, particularly for East Gainesville,” the agreement says. “The parties agree that Career Technical education and certification increases employability, steady employment, and income by propelling SF students into high-wage, in-demand jobs.”
SF will provide the instructors, required textbooks and course materials, and parents who complete the program will earn a certificate from SF.
SF will also provide childcare supervisors for an after-school program that will “develop an enriching curriculum for children and provide materials needed to implement the curriculum,” the agreement states.
The facilities maintenance program involves components in carpentry, painting, groundskeeping, plumbing, heating, ventilation and air condition (HVAC) systems.
Jennifer Wise, chief of teaching and learning at Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS), told the board she was excited about the program that started with a collaboration between ACPS Superintendent Dr. Carlee Simon and Santa Fe President Dr. Paul Broadie.
“I’m really excited to bring staff from both of these organizations together to provide for our community a program that provides for parents and their children simultaneously at no cost to them,” Wise said.Â
Parents who take the courses can bring their kindergarten-through-sixth-grade children with them to Loften High school for classes, where children will be “supervised, fed and have a good time while parents are at school,” Wise said.
SBAC member Tina Certain said she the program impressed her.
“SFC is a jewel in our community and I appreciate what they offer to Alachua County Students,” she said, adding that she hopes for “a full enrollment” when the program starts.
SBAC Chair Dr. Leanetta McNealy said she has listened to Broadie speak about San commitment to CTE training.
“One of the things that struck me is that he truly is trying to engage the entire community,” McNealy said. “And this partnering with us will certainly do just that.”
The SBAC voted unanimously to approve the memorandum of understanding.
To get more information about the course offerings or to apply, contact Jen Homard at jen.homard@sfcollege.edu or call 352-395-5493.