FCAN’s annual Workforce Education Innovator Award honors those who go above and beyond to help Floridians access workforce training and educational opportunities so they can achieve a more rewarding career.
The 2023 Workforce Education Innovators are:
Daniel Arnold & Leland Wilbert
CTE/HVAC Instructors
Pine Ridge High School
Arnold and Wilbert are the instructors for a four-year program at Pine Ridge High School in Deltona that starts students off with the basics of electrical and HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) and concludes with advanced commercial applications.
Each classroom is set up as a company, with students adopting the roles of employers, lead technicians, and helpers. The roles are assigned on a revolving basis so that each student understands every position at the company and learns accountability. During “Work Call Wednesdays,” instructors pretend to be homeowners describing a maintenance issue and challenging students to ask the right questions.
There are currently 280 students ages 14-18 enrolled in the program. Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA and attend class since many of the grades involve shop participation. The Deltona community has already shown its support of the program; 19 of the 27 community sponsors are companies that are ready to hire any student after graduation.
Arnold and Wilbert will be honored for their work during the 2023 Talent Strong Florida Summit Awards Luncheon on April 28. Visit fcansummit.org to learn more and register.
Please join us in congratulating our 2023 Workforce Education Innovators on this well-deserved recognition!
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