Blog

The labor shortage that plagues a variety of fields in the region has met a formidable foe: classes that get workers on the job — quickly. by: Business Observer Walt Eppard fell into a technical career in the trades in the late 1950s while in the Air Force. The military said he couldn’t fly because…

Advanced manufacturing program draws the interest of local businesses. by: Your Observer Country Club’s Michael Baillie faces a tough choice — picking from one of his many job offers. In six months, students in the Advanced Manufacturing course at Manatee Technical College will find their lives transformed and a world of opportunities likely will await…

Wendell Thorne survived a massive heart attack thanks to a CPR-trained bystander, and he is now giving back Maybe it was something he ate. He tried telling himself that anyway. The pain had to be gastrointestinal. He looked in the mirror, where the pictures of his children are tucked in the frame, and deep down…

Technical schools have been lobbying Florida state legislators so more students can become registered nurses. As a result, Florida House Bill 381 is under review with the Florida House of Representative’s Higher Education and Career Readiness Subcommittee. Language from the bill states that it would “…[authorize] school district career centers to conduct certain associate degree…

Technical schools have been lobbying Florida state legislators so more students can become registered nurses. As a result, Florida House Bill 381 is under review with the Florida House of Representative’s Higher Education and Career Readiness Subcommittee. Language from the bill states that it would “…[authorize] school district career centers to conduct certain associate degree nursing…

Manatee Technical College hosts SkillsUSA competition. by: Your Observer P.J. Miller’s finished product represented 60 hours of time and energy. At least 20 of those hours were spent welding his metal log cabin, his sculpture welding entry in the Feb. 7 SkillsUSA regional competition at Manatee Technical College. “There’s just so many possibilities,” he said…

MTC student work gets world audience. by: Your Observer The work of Lakewood Ranch artist Kathryn (Mazzanti) DeYoung has earned a bigger audience. Her photo entry of mannequin heads at the Manatee Technical College’s cosmetology program was one of 45 entries chosen for this year’s “Embracing Our Differences” exhibit. This year’s competition had 11,791 submissions…

Proposed state legislation could allow MTC to produce registered nurses. by: Your Observer Five years ago, Cindy Coffman, vice president of human resources at Tidewell Hospice, had heard about the national and statewide shortage of registered nurses. Still, Tidewell seemed unaffected — until 18 months ago. Coffman discovered firsthand what had been a national trend….