Pre-Apprentice Students Train in Namesake Manufacturing Center

Students looking to jump start a career in manufacturing have a new option with the addition of the pre-apprenticeship program offered by the Brevard Public Schools Adult and Community Education Department. 

The Brevard Adult Education Department’s newest pathway prepares motivated individuals for a career in the manufacturing industry. The new program was developed in partnership with Eastern Florida State College and Space Coast Consortium Apprenticeship, with support from CareerSource Brevard. Any student 16 years of age or older not currently enrolled in a traditional K-12 program can participate.

“I really like building and creating things, working with math and figuring things out,” said Jonathan Schmidt, a recent graduate. “I was never good in a traditional school setting. I really felt bored. Going into this program was a big step for me, but it was worth it. I quickly learned this was something I was passionate about and this program will open doors for me that I never thought possible.”

The program is hosted in a brand new, state-of-the art manufacturing building, which opened for students in summer of 2021. This past May, the building was officially named the Johnny Fred Bailey Sr. Center for Career Advancement. 

A lifelong resident of Brevard County, Bailey has run Bailey’s Paint and Body Shop in Cocoa for 48 years. Naming a building that is home to the pre-apprentice program after Bailey is fitting, since over his long career, Bailey has trained many individuals in the paint and body trade. Many of his unofficial apprentices have gone on to open their own successful businesses. 

The 9-month SolidWorks manufacturing program started in August of 2021. The SolidWorks software engineering curriculum teaches students to design models and create and design their own assemblies. In the second part of the program, students focus on manufacturing. At the end of the course, students take both the CSWA (Certified Solidworks Association) and the MSSC (Manufacturing Skill Standards Council Certified Production Technician) industry exams.

At the Johnny Fred Bailey Sr. Center for Career Advancement, students learn not only via lectures and textbooks. They have access to hands-on training on state-of-the-art equipment. The Brevard Adult and Community Education department collaborated closely with local manufacturing businesses to determine what type of equipment to invest in. 

“Our goal is that every student earns two industry certifications upon completion of the class,” said Tonya Holder, learning specialist with Brevard Adult and Community Education. “But success for us is when our students want to continue in postsecondary or decide to continue to learn their trade through our sponsor, the Space Coast Consortium Apprenticeship Program.” 

Recent graduate Schmidt said he’s looking to get involved with an apprenticeship program.

“I want to take the certifications I earned in the pre-apprenticeship program and knowledge that I have gained and turn them into a full-on career,” he said. 

Learn More

brevardschools.org/Page/15550#calendar46985/20220531/month

321-633-3660 x31403

1225 Clearlake Road

Cocoa, FL 32922