Emerald Coast Technical College -

Our HVAC/R 1 program is all about getting students ready to dive into the exciting world of heating, air-conditioning (A/C), refrigeration, and ventilation—because who wouldn’t want to chill out in style or keep things toasty warm? This program gets students ready for a plunge into the world of A/C, Refrigeration, and Heating jobs, whether they're starting as a Helper, Assistant, Mechanic, Technician, or even a Refrigeration Technician. It's like a one-stop shop for all things cool and cozy! ECTC Mission Statement: “We prepare and empower today’s students to meet the demands of an evolving and competitiv eworkforce.”

Do you want to learn how to speak English? Enroll at ECTC for our ESOL classes! Call now to get on the waiting list for August! ¿Quieres aprender inglés? ¡Inscríbete en ECTC para nuestras clases de ESOL! ¡Llama ahora para unirte a la lista de espera para agosto! Call: 850-892-1240

If you're looking to go into the construction sector, Emerald Coast Technical College has an electrical curriculum that will teach you the basics and so much more! This curriculum offers comprehensive training as an electrical technician, covering topics such as design, installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of electrical wiring and associated equipment in both commercial and residential settings.

Is technology your passion? Join our CSIT program to immerse yourself in the world of technology for a total of only 900 clock hours and earn your CompTIA A+ certification! As a result of this program's efforts, students will be ready to enter the workforce or continue their education in various IT-related fields. Enroll now for August classes; day and night schedules are available!

No High School Diploma? Now is the time to enroll at ECTC and change your future! Call today to get on the list for August classes!

Did you know that our Applied Information Technology program (AIT), which is 600 clock hours, could transfer to 6 credit hours towards a degree in Computer Engineering Technology?

Do you like to work on automobiles? If the answer is YES, then you should enroll at ECTC! We are currently getting new equipment costing over $130,000 thanks to an EUM grant from FLDOE! Enroll now to be among the first to use this new equipment for the best training in the auto field!

CHANGE IN TIME!! This class schedule is now a DAYTIME Class Schedule! We are hiring for a full-time DAYTIME Practical Nursing Instructor! August–June (37.5 hours per week) Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday from 7:30am to 7:30am-5:00pm, Thursday from 7:30am to 4:30pm. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday—no classes! No Classes in July! This position is for a full-time practical nursing instructor at Emerald Coast Technical College with Walton County School District. Please apply on the school district listing (see link below) BEFORE June 16, 2025. Click the link below to apply: https://ats3.atenterprise.powerschool.com/ats/job_board_form?op=view&JOB_ID=3700260058&COMPANY_ID=WA002771&redirect_qs=&redirect_qs=APPLICANT_TYPE_ID%3D00000001%26COMPANY_ID%3DWA002771

🎓 You're Invited! 🎓 Please join us in celebrating ECTC graduates! 📅 Date: May 22, 2025 🕒 Time: 6:00pm 📍 Location: WHS auditorium We hope you can join us for this special celebration! ECTC Mission Statement: We prepare and empower today's students to meet the demands of an evolving and competitive workforce.

It's Principal Appreciation Day! The educational environment is significantly influenced by the school principal, and their commitment frequently exceeds what is readily apparent. We are profoundly grateful to our director, Mr. Smithart, for his unwavering dedication to the establishment of a secure, encouraging, and supportive environment for both students and staff. His vision, compassion, and leadership assist the school community in celebrating successes and overcoming obstacles. Our director's endeavors, whether they involve cultivating academic excellence or simply listening with empathy, have a lasting influence. We are profoundly appreciative of Mr. Smithart's guidance to make ECTC the absolute best!

ECTC's Electricity program, taught by Johnny Lynch, is giving back to the community by assisting with the Emerald Coast Mud Run that will be held on April 26, 2025. Students built one of the obstacles for the upcoming event, which is meant to raise money for orphaned and vulnerable children.

Each year, NCCER conducts a competition for students enrolled in any of their programs. Students are required to construct a sculpture using materials from the NCCER program in which they are enrolled. This marks the second consecutive year that ECTC has participated in the competition and has emerged victorious. The Electricity program, taught by Johnny Lynch, proved successful in the previous year with a win; however, our HVAC/R students , taught by Jeff Falivene, secured the victory this year with their sculpture. Eugene Hall receives congratulations for his innovative house design, which incorporates components from the HVAC/R program. The HVAC/R program and the individual student(s) who assisted in the design and creation of the sculpture will receive a monetary donation from NCCER.

April 15 is designated as Purple Up!, a day to demonstrate solidarity with military families and children. On this day, individuals are encouraged to wear purple in recognition and honor of the distinctive challenges that children in military families encounter, including the frequent relocations, the absence of a parent due to deployment, and other stresses associated with military life. The color purple was selected to symbolize an integration of the colors of all military service branches. The act of wearing purple on April 15 is a visual expression of solidarity with military children, which recognizes their resilience and sacrifices. It is a wonderful way of expressing gratitude to the families who provide support and serve alongside our military personnel. ECTC is honored to unite in support of our veterans and their families.

Now is the time to dual enroll at ECTC for FREE!! The deadline to apply is 4.10.25!

ECTC now has an official Instagram page! Be sure to follow us!

Now is the time to apply for ECTC's Practical Nursing and Patient Care Technician Programs! Deadline is May 15, 2025! ECTC's health science programs emphasize practical, hands-on learning. You'll acquire real-world experience in clinical settings, which prepares you for the demands of the nursing profession. This practical experience is invaluable in developing the skills required to care for patients effectively. The healthcare industry is consistently in need of qualified nurses. By enrolling in these programs, you position yourself to enter a growing field with strong job prospects. The demand for healthcare workers is expected to continue to increase in the future years, making it a stable career choice.

Mr. Gary Price's Master Automotive Service Technology 1 and 2 programs met with Ford representatives this week! Representatives from Ford met with students in Mr. Gary Price's Master Automotive Service Technology 1 and 2 programs this week at Emerald Coast Technical College. Maxcine Witherspoon, a Technical Placement Specialist at Ford, where she collaborates with Marcus Hicks, put together a presentation to introduce students to what Ford has to offer them as an employer. Ms. Witherspoon engaged students in a conversation regarding the current high demand for auto technicians and the curriculum that Ford has established to educate students on the diverse options they have when collaborating with a dealership. Ford's Automotive Career Explorative (ACE) is a program that concentrates on the curriculum in the automotive industry and the various paths that a technician can pursue. Mr. Hicks underscored the significance of establishing connections with consumers and the fact that the automotive industry is in a state of perpetual evolution. Their objective is to connect prospective auto technicians with dealerships that sell Ford vehicles in their region. They were able to establish a connection between students at ECTC and Gary Smith Ford, which is located in Ft. Walton Beach. Gary Smith Ford employees in Ft. Walton Beach discussed their experiences in the automotive industry. David Lanier, the Service Manager, emphasized to the students the significance of obtaining their certifications, as it will be one of the initial inquiries during the interview process. During the interview process, it is also crucial to pose specific questions to potential employers in order to make the best decision for their future employment, as another employee, Richard Ludwig, who has been in the business for many years, also shared. Cody Simmons, a technician at Gary Smith Ford, recounted his experiences as a technician who operates a mobile van. He also discussed the significance of utilizing time effectively and the substantial quantity of knowledge that can be acquired by collaborating with other seasoned technicians. Amanda Carroway provided an account of her career trajectory, which began at an auto parts store and has since evolved into various roles within the automotive industry. She reminded students that there are numerous alternative pathways available to students in the automotive industry, particularly for female technicians. The students were able to inquire about the Ford vehicles that were brought for them to explore and tour one of the mobile vans. Several students have expressed a strong interest in employment opportunities with Ford, and some have already submitted applications. Mr. Gary Price was praised by ECTC students about the extensive knowledge they have acquired in the auto program. They are currently utilizing this knowledge to repair their personal vehicles along with those brought into the shop by WCSD employees and are enthusiastic about the prospect of pursuing a full-time career in the auto industry.

This week, ECTC held its annual Spring IAC (Institutional Advisory Committee) meeting. The school's mission statement, which is defined as "We prepare and empower today's students to meet the demands of an evolving and competitive workforce," was approved by stakeholders after they reviewed the school's strategic plan, which was also approved by everyone in attendance. The new construction at the main campus was discussed by Mr. Smithart, the director of ECTC, and how it will facilitate the forthcoming addition of an RN program, which is set to commence in January 2026. Lisa Jones furnished information regarding the enrollment, completion, and graduation rates of all programs during the preceding academic year. The high aggregate percentage of completions for ECTC programs was commended by Brandon Elkins, a representative of CareerSource Okaloosa Walton. The collaboration of CareerSource's WIOA Youth Program with ECTC's GATE program was suggested by Brooke Adam. Diana Gillis was able to compose a grant for the GATE program's commencement at ECTC, which was recently awarded earlier this month. Employees from CHELCO and WCSD also participated in our meeting, and the school provided all stakeholders with a Chick-fil-A breakfast. ECTC is perpetually seeking to expand its committees by incorporating additional local businesses. If your organization is interested in participating on one of our committees, please contact Lisa Jones at ECTC. We value the input of community stakeholders in order to ensure that our students receive the highest quality education and are able to secure employment with our local businesses.

A great welding instructor combines technical expertise, teaching skills, and personal qualities that make them effective at both educating students and inspiring a passion for the craft. Walter Miller, known as Dobi to most at ECTC, is that type of welding instructor. His students not only absolutely adore him but he can get them to perform too! The students in his welding program are obtaining a high number of AWS welding certifications. Mr. Miller was recognized by AWS in a special ceremony over Spring Break. His pupils used their time off from school to show up and support their instructor during spring break. This is a testimony to the relationship he has with his pupils. Congratulations, Mr. Walter Miller, on receiving this prestigious award from the American Welding Society.

ECTC currently has 18 businesses that will be participating in our career fair, but we are seeking more to attend so that we can offer our students and members in our community a wide variety of job opportunities. If your business would like to participate, please reach out to Jesse Spaid at ECTC or scan the QR code below to register BEFORE noon on April 2nd.  Our career fair will provide direct access to a pool of potential candidates. Your company can meet many job seekers in a short amount of time and find individuals with the appropriate skills, qualifications, and cultural fit for your organization. Participating in our career fair enables your business to increase its visibility and promote its brand to a large audience. This is particularly beneficial for companies seeking to establish themselves as employers of choice or raise awareness of their organization. We hope that our career fair will help your company meet candidates who are most relevant to your hiring requirements and save time compared to traditional recruiting methods.