City of Tampa, Florida, Invests in Automotive Technician Training

The City of Tampa, Florida, is investing in training students for future careers as automotive technicians, reports Fox 13 News.

The city has partnered with Hillsborough Community College for the GEAR UP program, which provides students with 15 hours of hands-on training at the city's fleet maintenance division each week.

Running for around a year and a half, the program has a goal of students entering full-time roles upon completion.

The program aims to help address the ongoing technician shortage, which the city itself has struggled with. The full cost of the program is covered by the city, which is estimated to be about $13,000 per student every year.

“Workforce training is one of our most powerful gateways to family-sustaining wedges and long-term career success,” said Hillsborough Community College President Dr. Ken Atwater.