Other pathways reflect regional economic shifts. Global logistics, for example, has expanded rapidly due to the presence of major distribution and supply chain employers such as Amazon, Walmart distribution, and Cheney Brothers. St. Lucie built a global logistics lab, established pre-apprenticeships, secured grant funding, and brought employers into the design process to answer a simple question: what do graduates need to know on day one? The district has taken the same approach with marine and mechanical industries. Located on Florida’s east coast, St. Lucie sits in the heart of a boating economy. The district converted an underutilized automotive space into an outboard marine lab aligned to industry needs, working alongside local partners such as the Marine Industries Association and other regional marine employers. Programs in diesel, marine, and related mechanics now connect students to real opportunities in a sector that is both local and globally relevant. St. Lucie has also adapted quickly to community needs beyond traditional career clusters. When the county faced a shortage of 911 operators, the district expanded its criminal justice programming to include that career pipeline—reinforcing the district’s responsiveness as an economic partner. INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS BUILT FOR IMMEDIATE WORKFORCE ENTRY St. Lucie’s career readiness model does not treat credentials as optional. It treats them as pathways to stability. Students can graduate with certifications that position them for immediate employment, particularly in logistics, health care, and technical trades. One example is forklift certification, supported by simulators that allow students to earn readiness credentials aligned to warehouse operations.Another is construction technology, built in partnership with the Treasure Coast Builders Association and local contractors.As construction demand surged, St. Lucie redesigned learning spaces with direct input from the industry. For the district, the objective is not simply “offer programs.”The objective is offer programs that lead what the business community needs,” Prince explains. “It’s one of the most important relationships we have as a school district—second only to parents and families.” As a result, St. Lucie offers an unusually wide range of career pathways that respond directly to industry growth. A major focus is allied health, one of the fastest-growing sectors in Florida. Every high school now offers allied health pathways, including programs such as medical assisting, EKG, CNA, LPN, dental, physical therapy, and pharmacy-related training. For students who want to stay local, these pathways connect directly to stable, high-demand employment. 328 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 01
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