    [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 31 (Friday, February 14, 2025)]
    [Extensions of Remarks]
    [Pages E130-E131]
    From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                         CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION

                                     ______

                             HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                                   of florida

                        in the house of representatives

                           Friday, February 14, 2025

      Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, the Hernando County School District has
    long been committed to providing high-quality education that prepares
    students for success in both academic and career pursuits. The district
    believes in the power of Career and Technical Education (CTE) to
    support students in achieving economic independence and contribute
    meaningfully to the community.
      For its more than 23,000 students, the Hernando County School
    District offers a wide variety of CTE programs across 14 of the 16
    career clusters identified by the Florida Department of Education.
    These programs provide students with a comprehensive education focused
    on technical, ``soft'' and industry specific skills in fields ranging
    from Healthcare, Information Technology, and Agriculture to Skilled
    Trades and Entrepreneurship. More than 86 percent of Hernando School's
    graduating seniors have participated in CTE programs, underscoring the
    district's commitment to introducing and expanding access to these rich
    and experiential courses that will inform students long after
    graduation.
      A fundamental component of the growth and popularity of CTE in the
    school district is the

    [[Page E131]]

    collaboration between the school district, local industries, governing
    agencies and workforce leaders. This partnership ensures there is
    alignment between the needs of employers and industry leaders to the
    school districts CTE program, strengthening the talent pipeline and
    highlighting employment opportunities within the community. As an
    example, Hernando Schools was an early adopter of the Space Academy
    initiative led by Space Florida. As an advocate for this exciting and
    novel initiative, in 2024, HCSD was one of 22 school districts named a
    Space Academy District to grow Space Industry momentum in Hernando
    County.
      A significant milestone for the expansion of Career and Technical
    Education was the opening of the Wilton Simpson Technical College, the
    first postsecondary site in the county. Wilton Simpson Technical
    College or ``STC'' will provide the community with access to advanced
    technical training and certification programs, expanding postsecondary
    educational opportunities in needed workforce industries. Through the
    use of voter approved millage funds, Hernando Schools demonstrates a
    commitment to ensuring this new facility is outfitted with cutting-edge
    resources to enhance a variety of programs.
      The vision of the Hernando School District is to ``grow our own'' by
    providing educational pathways that lead to stable, rewarding, and
    local careers. We embrace our role and are honored to serve as a
    driving force for creating a healthy community through quality
    workforce education, strong partnerships with local leaders and as a
    proponent of forward-thinking industry initiatives that will position
    Hernando County as a lifelong home for residents. Hernando County is
    well positioned to be a place where education, industry, and community
    work hand-in-hand to create lasting success.

                              ____________________