Lake County, FL – August 16, 2023
In a concerted effort to reshape education and workforce development in Lake County, Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) and Lake Technical College (LTC) have forged a dynamic collaboration under the banner of the LakeWorks partnership. This initiative aims to elevate student achievement and empower the local workforce, aligning with the growing demand for skilled professionals.
Gathering at LSSC’s campus, community stakeholders were privy to insights from a panel comprising Dr. Heather Bigard, President of LSSC; DeAnna Thomas, Executive Director of Lake Technical College; Lake County Commissioner Doug Shields; and State Representative John Temple. The panel highlighted LakeWorks’ pivotal role in responding to the economic development imperative at both county and state levels. The focus on increasing credential attainment aligns with Florida’s expanding workforce requirements.
Emphasizing the strengthening alliance between LSSC and LTC, the panelists unveiled LakeWorks as a catalyst for transformative change. While the two institutions have collaborated for years, this initiative propels their partnership to a new dimension, harmonizing the local education system and bolstering the workforce development pipeline.
Deanna Thomas, Executive Director of Lake Technical College, remarked, “We continue to look for ways to work together to bring the greatest impact to employers and students in our community.” Both LSSC and LTC are committed to exploring avenues that provide the most substantial benefits to the community.
LakeWorks’ unique features include synchronized academic calendars, seamless credit transfer between institutions, and a focus on stackable credentials, facilitating students’ local experience while minimizing logistical challenges. The initiative offers a shared webpage, a scholarship fund, a partnership coordinator staff position, and shared data and campus resources. These steps intend to streamline the student experience while avoiding program duplication and ensuring the local workforce receives optimal training.
LSSC President Dr. Heather Bigard underscored their commitment to affordability, saying, “Neither of us have raised our tuition in over a decade and we continue to offer industry-leading programs.” This dedication to students’ financial well-being forms a cornerstone of their partnership.
Addressing the audience, Lake 100 Executive Chair and LSSC District Board of Trustees Chair Bret Jones, raised the question, “What’s missing from the full success of this partnership?” Both Bigard and Thomas highlighted the need for increased employer participation in sponsoring students through the programs offered by LSSC and LTC.
While the partnership already integrates local businesses’ input into curriculum design, the intention is to deepen the connection between education and industry, ultimately resulting in high-demand careers in the local community.
As LakeWorks evolves, it aims to continually generate innovative opportunities for students, fostering a synergy between education and employment that benefits both students and employers.
About LakeWorks Partnership:
LakeWorks is a groundbreaking partnership between Lake Sumter State College and Lake Technical College. The initiative is designed to promote student achievement and workforce development in the community by synchronizing academic calendars, facilitating seamless credit transfers, expanding education options, encouraging stackable credentials, and connecting high school programs to career pathways through dual enrollment.
