Pasco-Hernando State College Volume XIX, Issue 1 - Spring/Summer 2025 | Page 10

PHSC Celebrates Its First Workforce Development BBQ Fundraiser
FOUNDATION NEWS

Constructing a Stronger Future

PHSC Celebrates Its First Workforce Development BBQ Fundraiser

On February 6, staff, alumni and community partners gathered for the first annual PHSC Workforce Development BBQ Fundraiser. The event celebrated the importance of the workforce program and created connections for future community partnerships.

The campus offers a Construction Technician / Worker Apprenticeship, which includes 205 hours of in-classroom technical instruction and placement with top area general contractors. By the program’ s end, students have 2,205 hours of real-world construction experience.
“ A significant part of our mission as a state college is to help industry meet their workforce needs through postsecondary education,” said former PHSC President Jesse Pisors, Ed. D.“ Unless we deliberately and frequently engage directly with the industry, we will not be well-positioned to know or meet their needs. We need industry and they need us. If we spend time together, everyone wins.”
The well-received event hosted 75 attendees, including guests Fred Lay, founder and CEO of CSI of Tampa, Frank Rygiel, CSI president, and Andrew Williams, a PHSC apprentice alumnus. Guest speakers shared inspiring stories at the Workforce Development Center at Gowers Corner, highlighting the construction world and the importance of PHSC’ s apprenticeship programs.
PHSC would like to extend a huge thank you for gifts and in-kind donations from the following individuals: Frank Rygiel( CSI), Cody Rodski( A. D. Morgan Corporation), Danielle Ruiz( CAP Realty), Mark McKinney, Emmalise Feliciano( Student Representative, PHSC Foundation Board) and Lowe’ s Home Improvement.
CSI and Long & Associates also co-sponsored the event, showcasing their commitment to seeing PHSC students succeed and local construction industries thrive.
For more information about how you can support the PHSC Construction Program, contact the Pasco- Hernando State College Foundation at 727-816-3404 or visit foundation. phsc. edu.
The event was held at the same spacious 2-acre Spring Hill location that offers hands-on learning opportunities and apprenticeships for those entering the construction industry and includes indoor and outdoor training spaces.
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