FORT PIERCE — Sophia Moleiro was interested in fixing cars ever since she was a child, watching her father.
Moleiro’s father would find vehicles to fix up and then sell them, she explained Wednesday before a packed crowd at the formal opening of the new Eastman Advanced Workforce Training Complex at Indian River State College.
The complex opened to students in August.
“He would teach me the ins and outs of these vehicles and what was required from them to become something great,” Moleiro said. She developed an interest, eventually realizing she could make a career out of fixing cars.
And because of the new IRSC training complex, Moleiro is on her way to realizing her dream. She plans to graduate in 2024 with an associate degree in automotive science.
Growing demand, high salaries
The $28 million, 60,000-square-foot complex officially opened with tours of the state-of-the-art laboratories and classrooms designed to give IRSC students hands-on training for high-paying jobs in the automotive, welding, robotics, refrigeration, HVAC and manufacturing industries.
Philanthropist Richard Eastman donated $2 million toward the complex.
“It is a special day to see it all come to fruition,” Eastman said. To the students enrolled in the workforce training programs, Eastman advised them to “master your skills. Always take pride in your work. Work hard. Hard work has always been a key to success.”
Planning for the project began in 2016, although construction was delayed until late 2020. The college used $21 million from the state and a $2 million federal economic-development grant to help pay for the facility. An additional $3 million came from community and business donations.
Donors made it happen
College officials thanked those donors.
“Thank you for your generosity,” said IRSC President Timothy Moore. “Thank you for investing in the future of this great republic. Because without your dollars, without your drive, without your commitment, without your passion, these kids would not have the opportunity to transform this great country. Thank you for what you’ve done.”
The new training center replaces older facilities with the latest technology and an improved layout to give students more room to practice their skills with hands-on activities.
“This is a step above,” said automotive service technology instructor Brian Woodrow.
The automotive program teaches students theory and the mechanics of the vehicle, Woodrow said. Even though cars have changed over the years, he said, the principles remain the same.
The hands-on activities and labs make it easier for students such as Moleiro to succeed, she said. Learning from books isn’t the same as learning while doing, she said.
“I am a hands-on learner,” she said. Studying from books sometimes takes longer to understand the material, she said. “With hands-on activities, it’s a whole different world. I like getting in there and doing things myself and learning how to do it.”
Students who complete the two-year programs can expect to earn high salaries in their chosen fields because of the demand for highly skilled workers in those areas, officials said.
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The heating, ventilation, air conditioning industry, for example, is expected to grow about 9% within the next 10 years, college officials said in a statement. Graduates of the HVAC program can expect a $48,000 starting salary, which can grow to more than $75,000, the statement said.
The Eastman training complex also includes an advanced manufacturing suite, where students will study toward an associate degree in electronics engineering technology and training in electronics and robotics. Students who complete these programs can obtain jobs as automation technicians or mechatronics technicians, starting at an average $60,570 annual salary, college officials said in a statement.
Colleen Wixon is the education reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers. Contact her at [email protected].