From Tigers to Titans:
Welding New Futures for Cocoa High Students
A powerful new partnership between Brevard Public Schools( BPS) and Eastern Florida State College( EFSC) was created in 2025 and will soon transform futures for Cocoa High School students.
The inaugural Tigers to Titans program offers students a no-cost, dual enrollment pathway into EFSC’ s high-demand Welding Technology Career and Technical Certificate program and opens the door for students to pursue hands-on training in an in-demand field, graduate high school, and enter the workforce with highly sought after credentials.
“ We’ re proud to support Brevard County’ s future and workforce,” said Dr. Jim Richey, President of Eastern Florida State College.“ This program is a testament to what can be achieved when education is aligned with economic opportunity. When we prepare students to succeed in real careers, we do more than help individuals; we strengthen our entire community.”
Welding is one of the most highly soughtafter skills nationwide, especially right here on Florida’ s Space Coast, where industries such as aerospace, defense, and manufacturing rely heavily on highly skilled labor. EFSC’ s welding program not only meets this local demand but equips students with lifelong, transferable skills.
“ The launch of the Dual Enrollment Welding Program on the Cocoa Campus of EFSC is a powerful step forward for Brevard Public Schools and our community,” said Dr. Mark Rendell, Superintendent of Brevard Public
Schools.“ We are extremely grateful to Dr. Jim Richey for his vision and support. By equipping our students with these essential, hands-on skills, we’ re not only preparing them for well-paying, meaningful careers— we’ re also strengthening the economic future of Brevard County.” This program reflects EFSC’ s commitment to workforce readiness and preparing this county’ s future leaders for success.
One of the defining features of this initiative is that it comes at no cost to students. Tuition, equipment, transportation, and materials are covered thanks to a robust network of community and industry partners, most notably through the efforts of Art Hoelke, Vice President of Knight’ s Armament Company.
“ Art has been a relentless champion of this program,” according to Rachel Rutledge, Director of Career and Technical Education at BPS.“ From the start, he made it clear that money should never be the reason a student doesn’ t participate. He worked to bring in industry partners, the funding, the momentum. We’ re incredibly grateful for his leadership.”
The program was made possible thanks to Hoelke’ s efforts, along with support from the EFSC Foundation, the Brevard Schools’ Foundation, and the generous commitment of sponsors, including Knight’ s Armament Company, Alro Steel Foundation, Campat Machine Tool, Inc., Hylant Group, Inc., Mazak Corporation, M2X Energy Inc., U. S. Chrome Corporation of Florida, Mr. Daniel McKinnon Jr., Lightle Beckner Robison, Inc.,
Brian L. Lightle, Space Coast Machinist Apprenticeship Program, ALTR Tool LLC, Stellar Industrial Supply, and Cintas Fire Protection.
The most compelling testimony to the Tigers to Titans program comes from the students themselves; young men and women who jumped at the chance to spend their summer learning a trade.
Nathan Ebble, who came to the program through Cocoa’ s construction track, added,“ The program is really cool. The book is easy to understand, and the teachers are great.” Nathan plans to follow in the footsteps of his uncle, who works in the shipyard:“ I want to apprentice and then work at Port Canaveral.”
William Hahn has also found the program beneficial and enjoys the learning environment.“ Honestly, I like all of it. The instructor is nice. He teaches us what we’ re doing wrong and how to fix it. It’ s setting me up for success.”
This innovative program is a direct response by the College to further align with Governor DeSantis’ vision to ensure Florida is a leader in the nation in workforce training by 2030.
The inaugural cohort of Tigers to Titans students began coursework over the summer and continued its second semester of courses during fall 2025. This first cohort of the program anticipates completion by May 2027. The program was drawn out to two years to accommodate the students’ high school schedules. A second cohort is planned for summer 2026.
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