- Florida aims to lead in the ‘flying cars’ industry
- Ivy Tech, Roche Diagnostics work to grow medical laboratory workforce
- Training technicians at Tesla
- Expanding high-speed access in Alabama
- New Jersey college acquires comics/animation school
Florida aims to lead in the ‘flying cars’ industry
Florida’s Polk State College will partner with SunTrax to provide training in aviation, advanced manufacturing, engineering technology and more as the company expands to test “flying cars.”
SunTrax, which conducts research and development of emerging transportation technologies and innovations, has to date focused on autonomous vehicle technologies. Now it will add air technology — and it will need a trained workforce. Florida expects to host a series of test flights by the end of the year.
The state is partnering with Polk State and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to develop training and credentialing opportunities for the next generation of pilots, maintenance technicians, engineers and other transportation professionals.
“Florida’s strategic investments in advanced air mobility and autonomous vehicles will help create high-paying jobs while building the skilled workforce needed to support this emerging industry,” said Polk State College President Anastasios Kamoutsas.
Advanced air mobility technology has the potential to provide new transportation options for passenger air taxis, cargo delivery, medical transportation and emergency response, according to Polk State.
Gov. Ron DeSantis and officials from the Florida Department of Transportation joined the announcement last week at SunTrax’s 775-acre campus.
Ivy Tech, Roche Diagnostics work to grow medical laboratory workforce
Roche Diagnostics and Ivy Tech Community College recently announced a partnership to address critical workforce shortages in Indiana’s medical laboratory sector that will include career awareness, student scholarships and fellowships.
The medical laboratory field faces short-term and long-term workforce shortages. In Indiana alone, where Roche Diagnostics is headquartered in the U.S., 364 employers posted more than 1,635 openings for clinical laboratory professionals between January and May 2026, while more than 2,000 individuals currently working in the field are ages 55 or older, according to a release.
Roche partnered with Ivy Tech to validate workforce trends, review labor market data and develop a long-term strategy to strengthen Indiana’s medical laboratory workforce. As the first phase of the partnership, Roche is funding an awareness campaign through the end of 2026 to increase understanding of medical laboratory careers among prospective students and position these high-demand careers.
Roche also will award 50 $1,000 scholarships to Ivy Tech students pursuing credentials in the fields, beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year. The second phase will include a new Roche MedTech Fellows Program, through which students can gain earn-and-learn experiences. Roche is inviting healthcare systems, hospitals, laboratories and other employers to help shape the program.
Training technicians at Tesla
De Anza College is teaming with Tesla to help train the company’s incoming engineering technicians. The first of two learner cohorts selected by Tesla began in July.
The California college co-developed the 480-hour curriculum, which draws on its expertise in automotive technology and design and manufacturing technologies. Participants will receive applied instruction in safety, mechanics, instrumentation, electrical systems, and diagnostics, preparing them to support Tesla’s test engineering, R&D and manufacturing environments, according to a release.
“This partnership demonstrates how De Anza College can bring together exceptional faculty, advanced facilities and industry expertise to respond directly to the workforce needs of Silicon Valley employers,” said Ram Subramaniam, vice president of instruction at De Anza College.
Expanding high-speed access in Alabama
The Alabama Community College System (ACCS) and the Alabama Fiber Network are expanding access to high-speed fiber networking, especially in rural communities, by adding seven ACCS colleges as anchor institutions to the state’s fiber network.
Through the agreement, seven additional colleges have joined the initiative. The goal is to eventually include all 24 ACCS community and technical schools in the network by the end of 2027.
Each participating institution will be able to offer public access, wifi and digital literacy training for vulnerable, low-income or rural populations who lack home internet, according to a release.
“This network gives our colleges the infrastructure to share resources, strengthen academic and workforce programs, and better serve students across the state while preparing us for the technologies of tomorrow,” said ACCS Chancellor Jimmy Baker.
New Jersey college acquires comics/animation school
The County College of Morris (CCM) in New Jersey on Monday acquired one of the nation’s top schools for graphic art and animation.
The Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art will become part of CCM’s Center for Workforce Development. For more than 50 years, the New Jersey school has offered skills development and industry connections to help learners land jobs with industry giants like Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Walt Disney Animation and many other companies in the comics, illustration and animation fields.
Now students will also have an opportunity to tap into a wide range of student support services at CCM designed to foster student success, including academic advising, career services and more.
“We are thrilled to be a part of the CCM community and continue guiding students as they develop their craft and prepare for careers in the commercial art industries, said Anthony Marques, president of the Joe Kubert School. “By combining our specialized art education with CCM’s many resources, we can create even more opportunities for our students to succeed.”
