(Bradenton, Fla., Feb. 16, 2023) — State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) joins others across the nation in celebrating Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month in February. The college is devoted year-round to offering educational programming that prepares individuals for immediate workforce readiness in careers important to Florida’s economic development. SCF offers numerous CTE programs, including 32 associate in science degrees and nearly three dozen workforce certificates and several non-credit industry certifications.

The variety of CTE programs SCF offers creates opportunities for many prospective students. Individuals looking to reskill for a career change or upskill within their current line of work can get a rapid return on investment with workforce certificates. Additional education is often an important way to earn promotions and increase earning potential, and earning a degree at SCF in high-demand fields has helped tens of thousands of graduates jumpstart their careers.

SCF frequently adapts to meet the needs of a growing region and a diversified economy. In 2022 alone, SCF added three new two-year degrees to address areas of growth in the local workforce, providing academic training in business analytics, hospitality and tourism, and music production.  

Health care professions have been a staple of SCF’s educational offerings since the college’s establishment in 1957. Nursing is one of the longest-running and highly regarded programs at SCF. The shortage of nurses in local hospitals is more apparent than ever in SCF’s rapidly growing service region. Boldly leading to answer the call for more nurses, SCF partnered with local health care providers and the Florida Legislature to secure funding for significant expansion to allow for additional nursing enrollment.

Another benefit of earning a workforce credential at SCF is the ease in continuing to pursue higher education at a later time. Students who earn a certificate can apply their credits toward a two-year degree. Many students who achieve an associate degree can use those credits toward one of SCF’s seven strategically offered four-year degree programs, opening new doors for leadership opportunities and even greater earning potential. 

SCF also opened the 26 West Center in 2021, establishing entrepreneurship-themed programs for students and community members, building new connections between the college and the business community, and launching the SCF Coding Academy to offer training in high-tech careers. These popular new programs complement the traditional degree-based options for CTE. Learn more about the 26 West Center at 26West.SCF.edu and Coding.SCF.edu.

For more information about CTE at SCF, visit SCF.edu/CTE.