Manatee Technical College bucks state trend with smart outreach | From the Bradenton Herald
Manatee Technical College defies a downward statewide enrollment trend. How did this technical and vocational career institution do that? Smart marketing and outreach.
As the economy continues to recover and jobs become more plentiful, potential MTC students could be lured into the workforce and skip training that could lead to better opportunities and higher pay. But isn’t it a bad idea to trade a stronger future for immediate paychecks and fewer chances at advancement while working in a low-end job or even dead-end career?
Violet Parker speaks with Doug Wagner of Manatee Technical College at the college kiosk at The Mall at University Town Center.GRANT JEFFERIES/Bradenton Herald
Statewide, enrollment in technical colleges fell 9 percent from 2011-2012 to 2013-2014, the Florida Department of Education notes. The hard number shows the number of students dropped from 122,412 to 111,804 in those two academic years.
MTC, however, can lay claim to upward movement. During those same two years, the college’s enrollment rose from 3,053 to 3,250. Not only does the school offer training in 50 programs and certificates in appealing to a broad cross-section of the populace, MTC continues to be proactive in student recruitment.
In July, the college debuted a kiosk at The Mall at University Town Center, a high-traffic location where school representatives will be answering questions. Since high-skilled technical jobs are in demand throughout the region, MTC’s lure should be an easy sell considering the higher starting wages and stronger career opportunities that will pay off handsomely in the future.
Violet Parker speaks with Doug Wagner of Manatee Technical College at the college kiosk at The Mall at University Town Center.GRANT JEFFERIES/Bradenton Herald
The cost of earning an MTC degree or certificate will be well worth the investment in time and money. Programs last from as little as three months to two years, ranging in cost from $1,200 to $6,590.
Kudos to MTC for the smart kiosk marketing.
