With the unveiling of a $21 million workforce development program, St. Johns County is launching a new age of job training that will support regional economic growth through a partnership between the county, its school district, and several federal and local organizations. According to a statement from the St. Johns County Office of Public Affairs, the county is collaborating with First Coast Technical College (FCTC), the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, and the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to build an educational campus that will emphasize vocational skills that are critically needed in the market.
The initiative, which was presented to the Board of County Commissioners on October 15, 2024, by the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, aims to transform the former Hastings High School into a thriving educational hub while simultaneously building a new 20,000-square-foot training center that will equip graduates with the necessary skills to land over 550 high-paying jobs. District 1 Commissioner Christian Whitehurst praised the initiative, saying in a statement obtained by the County’s Office of Public Affairs that “there are some six-figure careers, with benefits, waiting on the other side of these apprenticeships.” In addition to creating jobs, the project aims to revitalize a piece of local history by renovating the former high school property into a key community resource that will include daycare, adult education programs, and a public event auditorium.
Supported by a $1.8 million local contribution from the School District, a $7.3 million county grant from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and a substantial $9.5 million grant from the EDA, this project represents a major public-private partnership to strengthen the local economy and workforce. As stated on the county website, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Economic Development Cristina Killingsworth said, “The Economic Development Administration is proud to partner with local communities to support place-based economic growth,” highlighting the EDA’s focus on resilient and sustainable growth.
With a focus on diesel engine and solar technology training, the program’s curriculum directly addresses industry demands. The private sector is also actively participating, as prominent regional employers such as Coggin Ford Jacksonville, Jacksonville Electric Authority, and Northrop Grumman have made various commitments to reinvest a total of $1.2 billion into the economy. Scott Maynard, Senior Vice President of Economic Development for the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, noted the high demand for FCTC’s current diesel and hydraulics students as well as the college’s diverse programs that ensure students are well-prepared for careers in the trucking, marine, or agricultural industries—all of which are vital to the county, as stated in an announcement.
Although the high school’s first-floor renovations may not be finished until the end of 2026, and the groundbreaking ceremony for the new workforce training center has not yet been set, the county is still filled with excitement and hope for the function this facility will play in enhancing the local workforce and economy for years to come.
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