Polk State College Receives State Grant to Start Welding Program, Add to Industrial Trades Training

July 2, 2025 • News

Polk State College has received a $2.8 million Job Growth Grant. With this grant, they will start a much-needed welding program and enhance its Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machining Program.

FloridaCommerce awarded five colleges Florida Job Growth Grants so that they can expand training in advanced manufacturing and industrial trades. This, in turn, helps to meet workforce demands that strengthen and diversify the local economy. During the three-year grant period, about 300 students are expected to be trained in the welding and CNC Machining programs at Polk State College. The goal is to have 85% of those students complete training by June 2028.

“Polk State is deeply grateful to the state for recognizing our college as a trusted leader in quality workforce training,” said Polk State College President Angela Garcia Falconetti. “This investment allows us to further align our training with the evolving needs of industry. And, strengthens our ability to prepare more highly skilled individuals for in-demand, high-tech careers that drive the economic growth of Polk County.”

In addition to adding the welding program, the grant money will be used to:

Add more CNC training slots so students do not have to wait as long to get training. The program has grown 46% since August 2024, and 90% of those who complete training find jobs in the field.
Add a third CNC track for Multi-Axis Machining.
Develop and strengthen partnerships with the likes of NASA HUNCH, Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation and Catapult.

Creating Value and Advancement

“Manufacturing has created valuable pathways for students who seek hands-on, skill-based careers without the time or financial commitment of a traditional two or four-year degree,” said Patricia Collins, Executive Director of the Advanced Technology Center and Corporate College at Polk State College. “Modern manufacturing offers high-demand, high-wage opportunities that prioritize technical expertise, problem-solving and innovation. These are skills that can be gained through short-term training and industry certifications.”

She added: “Programs like CNC Machining and Welding provide students with nationally recognized credentials and the ability to enter the workforce quickly. Often in under a year. These careers offer immediate employment. Not only this, but also the potential for advancement into supervisory, engineering technician, or specialized roles through continued education or on-the-job training. For many students, manufacturing represents a practical, rewarding and sustainable alternative to the two- and four-year college track. It allows them to earn, learn, and grow within a vital and evolving industry.”

The CNC Program

During the past academic year, 64 students graduated from the college’s CNC program.

“Interest in the program remains strong, with 15 students currently on the waitlist for the upcoming August cohort,” Collins said. “To further build awareness and engagement, we also host three weeklong summer camps each year specifically designed for rising high school seniors. These camps provide hands-on exposure to CNC technology. Hopefully, to help spark early interest in advanced manufacturing careers.”

The CNC program consists of two tracks, she said:

CNC Operator – focused on setting up and running machines.
CNC Programmer – focused on writing and inputting code to tell the machines what to do.

That will change in the next academic year, when the college restructures training into a CNC Production Specialist pathway that includes two levels of training: CNC Production Technicians I and II.

“This new format also includes Metrology and Calibration training, which teaches students how to use precision measurement tools to ensure parts meet exact specifications —a crucial skill in advanced manufacturing,” she said.

The college will hire two people to handle the program expansion. One, “a full-time instructor as well as a dedicated shop/lab assistant to support instruction and ensure safe, effective hands-on training,” Collins said. “Adhering to established student-to-instructor ratios is essential for maintaining quality and safety standards in a technical training environment.”

As demand increases, the college will consider adding a part-time evening program to allow those who are already working flexible options to participate in the training programs. That will require adding adjunct professors, she said.

The Welding Program

Two public technical schools within the Polk County School District – Traviss and Ridge technical colleges – currently offer welding programs. Polk State College is launching such a program “in response to contracts with local industries requiring specialized welding training,” Collins said.

“Beyond meeting industry demand, Polk State’s new lab aims to broaden access, delivering both tailored training for industry partners and a full certificate-based pathway for students beginning their welding careers,” she said.

It’s an important step in the fastest-growing county in the country, a place where companies like Nucor Steel Florida and Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS) have built new manufacturing facilities.

“With the continued growth of the advanced manufacturing industry and the increasing demand for skilled welders, it became essential for Polk State College to respond to the needs of our community and regional workforce,” Collins said. “The consistent requests from local employers and industry partners highlighted a critical training gap that our college is well-positioned to address.”

Before moving forward with a new program, the college considered welding across multiple sectors in Central Florida. “Offering a welding program aligns with our mission to provide workforce-driven education that supports economic development. And also meets employer needs and creates meaningful career pathways for our students,” Collins said.

Vast Career Opportunities

Those who receive welding training can be hired in a multitude of fields, including:

Agriculture – repairing and fabricating equipment, machinery and infrastructure
Construction and extraction – structural welding for buildings, bridges, pipelines and mining operations
Manufacturing – assembling products and components across automotive, aerospace and heavy equipment sectors
Production Occupations – roles in fabrication, metalworking and assembly lines
Transportation – precision welding for air, ground and space vehicles
Warehousing and Logistics – maintaining and customizing storage and transport equipment
Utilities and Energy – infrastructure development in power plants, renewable energy and water systems.

“The demand for these skills is high in both local and regional markets. Welders are employable across a spectrum of industries,” she said.

Higher Aspirations

Students who want to continue their education after completing technical training can transition into academic pathways by earning college credit for their completed coursework, Collins said.

“This not only saves time and money but also encourages lifelong learning and career advancement by making it easier for students to pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field. It’s a powerful way to stack credentials, build on technical skills and create a clear, flexible pathway for career and academic growth.”

Helping the Economy

Training helps Polk County’s economy.

“Equipping students with industry-recognized certifications and connecting them with local job opportunities strengthens both individual livelihoods and the overall economic health of Polk County,” Collins said. “When residents are trained for high-demand careers and employed locally, it creates a ripple effect. It supports workforce stability, reduces unemployment and attracts new business investment to the region. This approach also helps meet the immediate talent needs of local employers. It reduces the time and cost of hiring while supporting industry growth.”

Many Polk State College students already live and work in Polk County, and stay here after receiving a certificate or degree.

“Certified graduates who stay in Polk County contribute to a more skilled labor force, increased household incomes and a stronger tax base. All of these fuel continued community and economic development,” she said. “By aligning education with local workforce demands, Polk State College plays a vital role in building a resilient, future-ready economy for the region.”