April 8, 2024
Eastern Florida State College leaders broke ground Monday on a new Center for Innovative Technical Education (CITE) that will set a regional standard in training high-tech workers.
The $20 million facility on the Melbourne campus is due to open in August 2025 and will offer programs leading to bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees and university certificates.
This artist’s rendering shows the southern entrance to the Innovative Technical Education Centre under construction on EFSC’s Melbourne campus to train high-tech workers.
“CITE will be no ordinary building; rather, it will set a high standard for Central Florida to meet the burgeoning workforce demands of local businesses and industries,” said Dr. Jim Ritchie, university president.
“So this will be a key component in creating jobs and ensuring continued economic growth on the Space Coast.”
Richie thanked the University’s Board of Trustees for their strong support for the facility and gave particular praise to the three council members who helped make CITE a reality.
The project’s sponsors are state Assemblyman Tyler Sirois and state Senator Tom Wright, along with former state Assemblyman Rene Plascencia, who approved the funding as chairman of the House Higher Education Appropriations Committee at the time.
Ritchie cited several elements that make the 31,500-square-foot building unique.
CITE will feature easily configurable labs to give students access to software used by high-tech companies, simulation labs and collaboration areas where students can work together to solve problems in real time.
Virtual reality and artificial intelligence will also be used to support learning in certain programs, helping to integrate state-of-the-art equipment with coursework.
Training can be customized to meet the specific needs of each individual company, allowing businesses to expand their workforce or provide continuing education for existing employees.
It also helps startups get a foothold as they begin building their tech teams.
CITE supports students in programs such as engineering technology, robotics, mechatronics, 3D printing, computerized drafting, computer information systems and cyber security.
Richie said he expects the other two new EFSC facilities will also play a major role in training high-tech workers.
The Cocoa campus envisions an advanced technology center featuring programs to increase the pipeline of highly skilled workers for Kennedy Space Center’s private space companies.
This artist’s rendering shows an area called the “Collaboratorium” that will be equipped with high-tech equipment to allow students from different disciplines to work together and learn skills they can use in the workplace.
Additionally, construction is underway on the Titusville campus for a new Aerospace Center of Excellence to train students in fields supporting space exploration, advanced manufacturing, aviation and more.
“These efforts demonstrate the university’s commitment to workforce development and collaboration with industry partners, ensuring a bright future for our students and the entire Space Coast,” Ritchie said.
The building was designed by HKS Architects Inc., and the prime contractor is Ajax Building Company.
Eastern Florida State University educates approximately 18,000 students annually through four campuses in Brevard County and online. For more information about the university, visit easternflorida.edu.
Additional images and artists’ renderings can be found in the EFSC Flickr album.
Recent News
East Florida Now Accepting Applications for Paramedic Program
read more
Beauty and facial salon services are also available
read more
Patent and trademark training also available
read more
Source link
