Funding Growth in The Florida College System is Critical to Helping People Change Their Lives in the “New Economy”

By Edwin R. Massey, Ph.D.

The Florida College System is a life-changer for students and a game-changer for Florida. At a time when unemployment is at a record high with more than 1 million Floridians out of work, the Florida College System is almost 1 million students strong.

The Florida College System plays a unique role in the current economy. As the economy goes down, enrollment in the Florida College System goes up. In fact, Indian River State College and the other institutions within the Florida College System have seen record increases in enrollment over the past three years, since the economy began its decline.

That’s because many unemployed and underemployed Floridians enroll to improve the skills they need to land better employment opportunities.

For example, consider the story of Robert Conrad.

After working at a supermarket for more than 16 years, Robert made a life-changing decision. To secure a better future for his family, he enrolled at Indian River State College. Through sheer determination, he was able to succeed at the Power Plant Technology Institute at IRSC, where he earned certification as a nuclear power plant technician with a specialization in electrical maintenance.

Stories like Robert’s demonstrate how the Florida College System’s 28 affiliated institutions have emerged as key destinations not only for recent high school graduates but also for those wishing to develop, retool, and broaden their skills to improve their stock in getting back into the job market.

There is a Florida College System institution within 60 miles of every Floridian. Each college serves as the gateway for students to access a high-quality education leading to a high-paying job.

The Florida College System represents a smart investment in the rebirth of Florida’s economy and the continued vitality of our state in the future.

While the Florida College System’s student population has grown by 23 percent over the past three years, state funding has dropped by more than 14 percent. That’s a reflection of the heavy toll the weak economy has taken on our state’s budget.

Gov. Charlie Crist’s recent visit to our campus shows that even in the face of daunting budget decisions, Florida’s leaders understand the important role the Florida College System will play in our state’s economic recovery. As lawmakers craft the budget for next year, we have been encouraged by the governor’s budget recommendation of $67 million in additional funding for the Florida College System and the allocations for additional funding coming from Senate and House budget writers. It’s clear the governor and legislative leadership recognizes there has never been a more important time to renew Florida’s strong commitment to keep the doors of the Florida College System wide open.

For our state to emerge from the recession even stronger and more prosperous than before, we must ensure residents have access to education and job training. This includes training in the wide range of jobs that are the cornerstone of the “new economy.” Students can study photovoltaic design, alternative energy engineering technology, biotechnology and digital media, in addition to traditional offerings such as business administration, education and agriculture.

The Florida College System is proud of our responsiveness to changes in the job market and our flexibility to create programs that meet the needs of the changing workforce.

We look forward to more success stories like Conrad’s. He now eis mployed by Florida Power & Light thanks to his certification as a specialized electrician from IRSC. Thanks to his education, he has doubled what he was making working at the grocery store. He has realized a dream working in the profession that he has always wanted, and is able to provide increased financial security for his family.

Robert’s story provides us with a real world example of the tremendous power higher education can have to make positive and lasting change in a person’s life. It also provides us with a roadmap for Florida to successfully emerge from the deep recession.

Edwin R. Massey, Ph.D., is president of Indian River State College.