St. Johns County is ushering in a new era of job training with the announcement of a $21 million workforce development initiative that aims to foster regional economic growth—thanks to a collaboration between the county, its school district, and multiple federal and local entities. The county is teaming up with First Coast Technical College (FCTC), the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, and the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to construct an educational campus that will focus on vocational skills urgently needed in the market, this information emerges from an announcement from the St. Johns County Office of Public Affairs.
Introduced on Oct. 15, 2024, by the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to the Board of County Commissioners, the initiative is set to convert the old Hastings High School into a bustling educational center, all while erecting a new 20,000-square-foot training facility designed to provide graduates with the skills to land over 550 high-paying jobs touted by District 1 Commissioner Christian Whitehurst who, in a statement obtained by the County's Office of Public Affairs, claimed "There are some six-figure careers, with benefits, waiting on the other side of these apprenticeships." The initiative is not just about jobs it also plans on reviving a piece of local history, as the historic high school site will undergo renovations to become a vital community resource featuring childcare, adult education classes, and an auditorium for public events.
Funded through a combination of county dollars amounting to $7.3 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), a $1.8 million local contribution from the School District, and a significant $9.5 million grant from the EDA, this project symbolizes a significant public-private collaboration aimed at bolstering the local economy and skill base. The EDA's involvement comes with an eye on sustainable and resilient growth, underscored by Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Economic Development Cristina Killingsworth's statement that "The Economic Development Administration is proud to partner with local communities to support place-based economic growth," as reported on the county website.
The program's curriculum responds directly to industry demands, focusing on diesel engine and solar technology training, with the private sector pitching in vigorously as notable regional employers, including Coggin Ford Jacksonville, Jacksonville Electric Authority, and Northrop Grumman, have all manner of commitments to reinvest a combined $1.2 billion into the economy, Scott Maynard, Senior Vice President of Economic Development for the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, mentioned the high demand for FCTC’s current diesel and hydraulics students and the diverse programs provided by the college, which ensures students are well-prepared for careers in the trucking, marine, or agricultural sectors, all critical to the county as indicated in an announcement.
While eager community members and future students may have to wait until the end of 2026 for the first-floor renovations of the high school to complete, a date for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new workforce training center remains to be scheduled, the county's sentiment, nonetheless, is one of anticipation and optimism for the role this facility will play in enriching the local workforce and economy for years to come.
