education The “Center” of Bay County Career Technical Education Becomes a College by: Ann Leonard, Director, Haney Technical College
A
fter more than fifty years as the “center” of career technical education (CTE) in northwest Florida, Tom P. Haney Technical Center has announced its name
change to Tom P. Haney Technical College. The school has prepared thousands of students for successful
“I feel like the work we do at Haney Technical College is so important,” said Ann Leonard, Director of Haney Technical Center. “It can be life changing for our students and their families, while at the same time contributing to the success of Bay County and our local community.”
careers in the skilled labor market over the years, and now it has
Rebranding the school comes at a perfect time as the campus will
joined the ranks of other area schools to be recognized as a colle-
be getting a major facelift in the next couple of years after suffer-
giate post-secondary institution. The potential this name change
ing devastating damage from Hurricane Michael.
will have for Haney’s student access, interest and enrollment is very exciting.
The storm’s silver lining has provided a timely opportunity for the school to upgrade its facilities. Four of the school’s nine build-
The new name reflects the changing attitudes toward career technical education and professions in the skilled workforce. The acknowledgment of the critical need for skilled workers and the successful high-wage career opportunities available nationwide as
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ings will be demolished in the next several months, and two new buildings will be completed in two phases. The first building will be located at the intersection of Baldwin Avenue and Highway 77.
well as recognition of the equity in program difficulty and job out-
A state-of-the-art two-story building along a major traffic corridor
comes with traditional colleges led to the current national trend
will bring increased visibility. This new 28,000 square foot building
in rebranding career training centers as colleges. This will enhance
will house school administration, medical programs such as
the school’s ability to attract a younger student demographic,
Practical Nursing and Massage Therapy, and business programs for
especially recent high school graduates, to enroll.
IT, medical office staff, and administrative assistant training. The
BAY BIZ / SPRING 2022
