An artistic representation of the collaboration between two Tallahassee colleges aiming for workforce development.
Lively Technical College and Tallahassee State College are in talks to explore a potential merger aimed at enhancing student success and addressing community workforce needs. With 23,000 new jobs projected by 2030, the colleges aim to collaborate and identify strategies that will benefit students and local employers. Both institutions emphasize that the merger is not a sale, and discussions focus on facilitating better education and training opportunities. A task force dedicated to improving employment outcomes has been formed, marking a significant step in this collaboration.
Big news is buzzing around Tallahassee as two key educational institutions, Lively Technical College (LTC) and Tallahassee State College (TSC), are considering a potential merger. This discussion comes as both colleges aim to better serve their students and respond to the growing workforce needs in the community. With an estimated 23,000 new jobs projected to emerge by 2030, as highlighted in a report from the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, the time for collaboration might just be right.
It’s essential to clarify that LTC is not up for sale to TSC. Instead, the focus is on working together to examine the possibility of a merger. The leaders of both institutions are currently engaged in conversations to identify the best ways to facilitate student success while meeting the demands of local employers. This means addressing various conditions and terms that any potential merger could entail.
Superintendent Rocky Hanna has emphasized that while a traditional sale is ruled out, they are open to exploring the merger concept. The primary goal of these discussions is to ensure that community members have the skills necessary to compete effectively in the job market.
LTC, which is under the operation of the Leon County School Board, is known for its robust vocational programs, career certifications, and high school dual enrollment courses. This transition from a center to a recognized college in 2019 did spark some debate—most notably from TSC’s President Jim Murdaugh who viewed it as mainly a marketing effort. However, the greater community’s workforce requirements can’t be ignored, and both colleges have crucial roles to play.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic turned the world upside down, discussions had already been underway regarding how LTC and TSC could align their efforts to support the local workforce without stepping on each other’s toes. The conversation surrounding job security and affordability of LTC’s programs has been a point of contention, but Hanna assured everyone that there’s no cause for alarm regarding jobs or programs at Lively. It’s clear that the valuable programs at LTC are essential, regardless of who manages them.
In an effort to navigate these waters, a 12-member task force was assembled in February 2024. This group is dedicated to providing guidance and recommendations on ways to improve student employment outcomes. The school board member steering this initiative, Marcus Nicolas, is working diligently with the task force to analyze opportunities that align with the community’s employment demands.
As part of the task force’s mission, they are conducting discovery sessions aimed at enhancing student outcomes and better supporting the region’s workforce needs. Encouraging public participation, they have scheduled a final task force meeting on January 23.
While Lively Technical College and Tallahassee State College plot their course for the future, the importance of clear communication and collaboration is paramount. The focus remains steadfast: providing the best possible support for students and addressing the community’s workforce needs effectively.
The potential for a merger opens exciting new possibilities that could shape the educational and professional landscape in Tallahassee. As these educational powers consider their next steps, the community is watching closely to see how these discussions evolve.
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