By Eric Snider February 19, 2026 At Manatee Technical College, the next generation of barbers finds skill, confidence and a career with staying power The silver-haired man facing toward the ceiling wears a blissful expression. A young guy carefully shaves his neck with a straight razor, intent on making the skin as smooth as baby…
By Julia Hazel, Manatee County UPDATED 11:32 AM ET Jan. 16, 2026 PUBLISHED 1:56 PM ET Jan. 13, 2026 MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — At Manatee Technical College, there’s a program called Project EDGE that teaches students with intellectual disabilities work skills to increase their independence. What You Need To Know Justin Torres is part of…
By Madison Bierl, December 10, 2025 At Manatee Technical College, Project Edge is a transitional program for students with intellectual disabilities to learn foundational skills. Parrish’s Justin Torres, 19, has always liked art and working with machines. So after he enrolled at Manatee Technical College and visited the advanced manufacturing program, he knew what he…
(Fall 2025) Manatee Technical College welcomes Dr. Jodi Kirk as its new director. Dr. Kirk holds a Doctorate in Business Administration with a concentration in Management and a Director of Career and Technical Education Certificate from the University of Central Florida. Her academic foundation is matched by extensive experience in both secondary and post-secondary education, as well…
By Lesley Dwyer | Your Observer Jay Romine served 33 years in law enforcement and over 12 years as a director at MTC in Lakewood Ranch. When Mill Creek’s Jay Romine started out as a police officer with the Palmetto Police Department in 1979, officers were issued guns but not bullets. Because he was 18…
How MTC’s Early Childhood Pre-Apprenticeship Program raises up tomorrow’s educators: NextGen Family Magazine by Shannon Evans Photos: Wendy Dewhurst & Katelyn Disbro You’re staring, bleary-eyed, at a spreadsheet, and the numbers still don’t add up. You’re on hold with the insurance company (again). Your inbox just hit triple digits, and your laundry pile rivals Mt….
By Lesley Dwyer June 10, 2025 The last time Manatee County had an outdoor firing range for law enforcement, Jay Romine had just graduated from the police academy. His career has since spanned 46 years. Romine served 20 years as the chief of police for the Holmes Beach Police Department. For the past 12 years, he’s served…
MTC Takes Home 50 Medals! Manatee Technical College proudly celebrates the incredible achievements of our Career and Technical Education students at the 2025 Florida State Leadership and Skills Conference and Competition, held in Jacksonville, FL, from April 28th to May 1st This prestigious event brought together talented students from across the state to showcase their mastery…
Chapman School of Seamanship received a Yamaha 425hp XTO outboard, donated to its Marine Technician training program in recognition of the school’s commitment to excellence. Photo courtesy of Yamaha Yamaha Marine donated 425-horsepower XTO Offshore outboards to eight technical schools for placing a high number of technicians within certified Yamaha dealerships in 2024. Developed in 2015,…
(Bradenton, FL—February 4, 2025) Manatee Technical College graduated a record number of students for its winter graduation on January 30, 2025. Those students completing programs during the fall semester of the 2024-25 school year numbered 509—a 27 percent increase over graduation the same time last year, owing to a similar increase in enrollment. The 250…
BY Julia Hazel | Manatee County MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Earn and learn: that’s the mission of one local electrical company with the growing trend of young adults entering the trade industry. New Dawn Electric in Manatee County is hiring high school graduates and paying for their education. What You Need to Know Joseph Berloni…
The school and the EDC work together to prepare students for local jobs in manufacturing and aviation maintenance, among other sectors. By Sharon Hillstrom | February 28, 2025 When Manatee Technical College announced in January another record-setting number of graduates from its diverse programs, we weren’t surprised. MTC’s growth through programs targeted to the needs…
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