By Lynn Hatter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-886294.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – Florida Department of Education Commissioner Eric Smith was at the Capitol Thursday to celebrate the state's career training programs. Smith says these programs are important in helping the state's economic growth.
Joshua Balleros is a high school junior who attends the Central Florida Aerospace Academy in Polk County. He's taking courses in flight engineering.
"This is the space shuttle display. On the left is liquid hydrogen, and on the right is liquid oxygen. And it goes through two pumps to push the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen faster through the exhaust so when it ignites it will push the space shuttle through the atmosphere."
Balleros hopes to be a pilot one day. He's already started on his career path while still in high school. Commissioner Smith says these are the types of programs that will steer the state's economy.
"These kids have such a bright future and are going to fuel so much of the work that goes into a career and technical standpoint, and I feel, really be some of the foundational work that's going to propel Florida forward."
At schools across the state, students can work toward industry certification in everything from medical fields to law to engineering, earning their high school diploma at the same time. The career tech programs are widely supported by the business industries, which say they help create a trained workforce.