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Tech center cultivates careers, hones skills

A new adult technical school, the fourth in the county, is positioned to address and serve a growing community.

By MEAGHAN FORBES
Published August 12, 2005

While most Hillsborough students started school last week, students at Aparicio-Levy Adult Technical Center had already been in session for a month.

With flat panel computer screens in every lab, an auditorium capable of wireless connection and interactive library that doubles as a counseling center, the new 25,000-square-foot building off Falkenburg Road offers courses for adults looking to change career paths or simply update skills.

It is the county's fourth adult technical center.

"We had a soft opening July 7 so the (network analyst) group could finish before winter break," said Todd Bowden, principal.

The network analyst course is the school's longest at six months.

Other classes, including introduction to computers, keyboarding and Microsoft Word, are as short as six hours. The customer service program, which certifies students as call center representatives, lasts four months. It begins at the end of this month.

The building, at 10119 East Ellicott St., was originally scheduled to be a satellite campus of Leary Technical in Tampa. After research, the school district decided it would be best as a standalone.

"We're hoping to fill a need," said Pam Cunningham, Hillsborough County director of adult technical education.

"The closest center otherwise is Erwin on Hillsborough Avenue and 22nd. It's a large adult technical center that attracts a lot of students, but we are pretty much at capacity at Erwin, with no place to grow. This gives us a new school, a new building to expand our training."

Named after industrial educator Henry Aparicio and community activist George Levy, the east county technical center is positioned to address growth in the greater Brandon area, Bowden said.

"This is an area we've not provided service to, but by being here we're able to do that," Bowden said, noting that it would be a strenuous commute to the other technical schools for east county residents.

But a reverse commute from the other side of the county doesn't pose a problem for Phil Schwartz of South Tampa.

He's taking the computer analyst course at Aparicio-Levy but said the real draw was the home technology integration program the school will soon offer. It will help Schwartz design houses where homeowners could control appliances through the computer.

"I've been looking to get in to HTI for years," said Schwartz, 29. "Last year I couldn't even find a place that offered it."

Along with unique course offerings, the center boasts three top-notch computer labs, a simulated call center, a customer service training room and an auditorium reminiscent of a college lecture hall that seats 102. There are 12 classrooms in all.

Cost for classes begin at $1.77 per hour for occupational programs and $3.75 an hour for continuing work force education.

Depending on the number of hours, a student could pay as little as $40 for a basic six-hour class vs. $1,000 for the network analyst training.

Books and supplies, of course, are extra, but financial aid is available to help qualifying students offset those costs.

In addition, an on-site career specialist provides counseling and advice to students.

"Our goal is to not only prepare (students) for a career, but to prepare them for the work force," said AnnMarie Courtney, assistant principal for curriculum.

To enroll in a class, go to http://altc.mysdhc.org For fee information, call 740-4884.

- Meaghan Forbes can be reached at 661-2439 or mforbes@sptimes.com

[Last modified August 11, 2005, 08:56:11]