Valencia College is celebrating the first graduating class of a program designed to address a critical shortage of trade workers.
Ten students on Thursday completed Valencia’s accelerated plumbing technician program.
For 10 weeks, students were trained by veteran instructors to learn several skills, including how to install pipes, replace plumbing fixtures and repair and troubleshoot drain-waste-vent systems.
Yve Servius, one of the graduates, said he’s already received several job offers.
“Now I’m starting to see the vision of a bright future. I never expected it,” said Servius, who lived in his car until his friend offered a place to stay and convinced him to pursue the program.
“I was sleeping in my car. This was back in November, and (my friend) told me to come in and move in with him because he didn’t like how I was just outside like that,” Servius said.
The program was launched through a $500,000 grant from the Lowe’s Foundation.
The grant is part of its five-year, $50 million commitment to support the training of 50,000 people for skilled trades careers nationwide.
According to U.S. Department of Labor data, about 43,300 openings for plumbers and pipefitters are projected each year over the next decade.
Nationwide, employment of plumbers is projected to grow by 6%. In Florida, the state is projected to need 15% more plumbers by 2030.
For more details about Valencia College’s accelerated skills training programs, visit valenciacollege.edu.