Get a special back-to-school offer from our partners-in-education at Addition Financial!
We are so proud of these amazing LPN graduates - the first cohort to graduate from this program in school history! Watch the pinning ceremony replay here
Connect with us to help grow our local workforce.
Nuestros programas son ideales para todos los que desean desarrollarse como profesionales.
Learn about OTC’s NEW Skills-Based Training.
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Greetings,

Where did the summer go! 

I can’t believe we are already preparing to welcome teachers and students back to campus after a hard-earned, well-deserved summer break!

Not that all of our instructors took the summer to relax. 

We had teachers supporting summer school classes, working to refine course curricula, engaging in valuable professional development, and even launching new initiatives like the CareerSource Summer Youth Camps. It was an extremely busy summer that flew by in a blink of an eye. 

And just recently, we hosted approximately 250 secondary and postsecondary teachers at the Inaugural OTC Convergence Conference yesterday at the Rosen Centre Hotel.

Teachers had the opportunity to participate in relevant, interactive, professional development sessions designed to enrich their teaching portfolio. We are so grateful for our teachers’ dedication to their craft, as well as their willingness to dedicate two days from their summer break to learn and grow with us. 

The excitement throughout the conference was palpable and I, for one, am grateful for the participants’ energy and enthusiasm. 

We are also thankful for the support of our business and industry partners who provided the financial support necessary to create the 2021 Convergence Conference, including CareerSource Central Florida, English Discoveries, Grainger, G-W Publisher, zSpace, Wharton-Smith, Cintas, bulb digital portfolios, Bluegrass Educational Technologies, and F.E.A.T. – FL Electrical Apprenticeship and Training.

Many, many thanks to the entire CTE district staff for coordinating and managing this event. It was phenomenal work and no small task to pull off. Enjoy a brief respite because the planning for next year starts soon!

Wishing all our students and staff a happy new year! 

See you next week!

Melanie Stefanowicz 
Associate Superintendent
Career & Technical Education I Orange County Public Schools
 WATCH: OTC Graduation Ceremony 2021
On June 2nd, we welcomed the graduating classes of 2020 and 2021 to the Amway Center for an unforgettable graduation ceremony. A special thank you to all those who helped make this school year a success for students. Congratulations graduates, this is your moment!
CTE in the Community
OTC & CareerSource Central FL AI Summer Camp 2021


Dr. Christina Gardner-McCune from University of Florida led the instruction of our summer camp students and did a fantastic job. Last night, 28 parents joined us to celebrate and support their children who displayed their Artificial Intelligence Summer Camp year-end projects.

OTC Students Take Home Medals from SkillsUSA Nationals!

NATIONAL SkillsUSA medalists from OTC Mid Florida: Mirleur Polynice–Gold (Post-Secondary Residential Commercial & Appliance), Diego Hernandez–Silver (Post-Secondary IoT), Blaze Menendez–Bronze (Secondary Diesel Equipment), …
 Medical Assisting at OTC Ranks Among Best in Florida Schools

Orange Technical College offers a 14-month certificate in medical assisting. The program requires 29 hours a week to be spent in class and with experiential learning, such as in clinics.
Orlando Business Journal: Emergency Funds Fuel Rapid Training at OTC
 Central Florida's economy faces a conundrum, as some sectors suffer high unemployment that stems from the Covid-19 pandemic and other industries contend with a shortage of qualified workers to fill open jobs. That is why in January Orange Technical College launched the Skills-Based Training program to close that gap, helping companies and out-of-work residents in the process, Melanie Stefanowicz, associate superintendent of career and technical education for Orange County Public Schools, said during Orlando Business Journal's April 8 Community Impact Workforce Roundtable.
For Students. Not Profit.
Spectrum News 13: More Women Needed in Skilled Trades

Only about 3% of women in the workforce work in skilled trades, according to the Department of Labor.

As baby boomers continue to retire, tradespeople are in high demand, specifically tradeswomen.
 Generation T: There Are Still Plenty of Opportunities in Skilled Trades

Many jobs in the skilled trades offer paid, on-the-job training that lets workers earn a good living without a college education. By some estimates, there are as many as 30 million jobs available in the United States that pay an average of $55,000 annually and don't require a bachelor's degree.




OTC Alumni: Meagan's Story (Licensed Practical Nursing)


My name is Meagan Jones and I am currently a 24-year-old, labor and delivery and NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) nurse, and quite frankly, I am living my dream. Telling this story, I honestly don’t know where to begin, but I do know this one thing – to OCPS Career and Technical Education, Ms. Kristal Armstrong, and many others, I owe a huge thank you, from the bottom of my heart.