Advanced Manufacturing

Garvin, who is originally from Florida but grew up in Mississippi, played sports in high school and attended Belhaven University, where he was a member of the Blazers’ football team. After one semester, he transferred to Alcorn State University and decided not to pursue playing sports.

“I lost my love for playing football,” Garvin said. “I had to find myself and get on the right track in life.”

Garvin attended Alcorn for a year and a half. When he left, he was uncertain what he wanted to do as a career and concerned about the impact attending school was having on his finances.

“I didn’t want to be in school for so long that I ended up in debt,” Garvin said. He found work but the jobs didn’t provide him with much satisfaction.

In 2021, Garvin returned to Northeast Florida and discovered productivity and purpose after enrolling in the Diesel Systems Technician program at First Coast Technical College along with his father, Ronald Garvin, Sr.

Ronald’s father had purchased a semi-truck with an engine that needed to be overhauled. When a shop wanted to charge $13,000 for the repairs, they decided they would rather do the work themselves. A former student had told them about FCTC's Diesel program. Garvin’s father encouraged his son to sign up for the program and they enrolled together.

“Everyone in Northeast Florida drives trucks, but no one knows how to fix them,” Garvin said.

In the Diesel Systems Technician program, the Garvins learned how to diagnose, repair, overhaul, and assemble diesel trucks and machinery. They also learned how to maintain heavy equipment in a rapidly changing industry using a full systems approach. Not only did they learn how to repair their truck, their father/son relationship became closer from the experience.

They completed the program in 2023, preparing Garvin Jr. for employment with Ring Power as a Shop Technician III on Ring Power’s Utility Production team. Headquartered in St. Augustine, Ring Power Corporation is North and Central Florida’s Cat® dealer. The company is comprised of eight divisions and has 60 years of experience servicing and supporting Cat® products and allied equipment. Ring Power employs teams of skilled technicians who work on everything from equipment that builds roads and communities to engines that power marine vessels to generators big enough to power a hospital.

While FCTC prepared him for employment, Garvin’s understanding of electrical systems has grown with on the job training and support from his mentors at Ring Power. Garvin performs maintenance and repairs on equipment. He enjoys problem solving and is not afraid of challenges. He says patience, persistence and precision has been the key to his success.

“It’s been very rewarding,” said Garvin. “I can say I’m a diesel mechanic with pride.”

Garvin is enthusiastic about the trades, which offer well-paying and secure career opportunities. He also is passionate about sharing his love of the trades with others.

“This experience has been life-changing for me,” Garvin said.

Baldwin Middle-High School, part of the Duval County School District, is dedicated to providing high-quality educational opportunities for all students. The school is a place where every member is inspired and equipped for success in post-secondary education, a career, and in life.

Former Principal Dr. Denise Hall, a 33-year veteran of education, indicated that there were very few honors academy programs offering aeronautics curriculum throughout the nation. So, when the opportunity arose to create a dual enrollment program with Embry Riddle Aeronautical University located in Daytona Beach, she seized the opportunity. After hiring local teacher Mr. John Wells, the program developed into its existing structure. Mr. Wells has taught the program for 7 years. In that time, Wells has seen students take what they learned in class and create a career pathway in aviation and aerospace.

Baldwin students enrolled in the Embry Riddle Aeronautical Dual Enrollment Program can take 6 college classes to earn up to 18 college credits. They can also exit the classroom with two certifications: Unmanned Drone and Small Pilots license.
Foundational work begins in Middle School with preparation via math and science courses such as pre-algebra, algebra and computer science. “I actively try to recruit students. Robotics is another way to engage students,” says Wells.

Students entering the Embry Riddle Aeronautical Dual Enrollment Program take a series of courses preparing them for certification. For example, as freshmen, students engage in robotics and science. As sophomores, they take a semester of Principles of Aerospace Science and a semester of Unmanned Vehicles. Juniors take a course in Unmanned Aircraft Systems and an Intro to Health, Occupational and Transportation Safety course. Ultimately, seniors study Introduction to Aerospace Safety and Principles of Management.

Wells encourages his students to seek out internships to supplement their learning. “Internships at NAS JAX are available. Employment is great because students are sent to school to learn a trade and then guaranteed a job upon completing a program.”
Students are pursuing this pathway further after high school graduation. Wells said, “Several Boeing employees have come from the class. Two obtained a pilot’s license. One female student is entering Embry Riddle with another female student completing this year.”

Students wishing to pursue the pathway can continue schooling at Embry Riddle which offers Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science, Aeronautics, Aerospace & Occupational Safety, Aerospace Engineering, Aerospace Physiology and Air Traffic Management, and Astronomy & Astrophysics. Students can complete an Aircraft Dispatcher certificate program or pursue masters and PhD programs.

Student success springs from earning aviation certifications even if a student chooses another pathway. For example, one Baldwin Middle-High School graduate obtained an accounting job at Jacksonville University because of the certification. While unrelated to the job duties, the aeronautical certifications on that individual’s resume distinguished him to the hiring manager.

Wells indicated that, “As an instructor, the goal is to have student complete the courses and obtain an industry certification as well as the college credits. But, it is rewarding to see them grow from middle through high school and all they can accomplish.”
One such student, Ashlyn Moment emphasized how much the program set her up for success at Embry Riddle. “Mr. Wells is one of the reasons why I am who I am today. He not only cares about what goes on in his classroom but who we are when we step out of that door. If it wasn't for him and this program, I would have never known what Embry-Riddle was or even applied.”

Ashlyn is now in her fourth year at Embry-Riddle majoring in Spaceflight Operations with two minors in Human Factors and Aviation Safety. She is the President of a collegiate chapter of a national organization on our campus, The Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals.

Ashlyn’s goal is to graduate in the Spring of 2023 and enter the Air Force to become a Space Operations Officer. With taking this career path, she will formulate space operation policies and activities and establishing training requirements and performance standards.

Ultimately, dual enrollment courses led to a solid career pathway choice.

Tyler completed the automotive program at Palatka High School, passing all 10 National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certification exams and the Florida Automobile Dealers Association (FADA) dealership exam. At the beginning of Tyler’s senior year, he transferred to Crescent City Jr/Sr High School due to a move. There, he completed the welding program and became American Welding Society (AWS) certified.

At Crescent City, Tyler was selected for the Manufacturing Prep Accelerated Program (MPAP) at St. Johns River State College based upon previous achievements and interests. Previously disinterested in college, Tyler realized that trades can have college-level classes, too. He felt the opportunity was an excellent fit. So, he enrolled in and completed the MPAP. The program prepares students for the Certified Production Technician 4.0 (CPT) designation. Those who pass the CPT certification exams earn 15 credits (one semester) toward the Associate of Science degree in Engineering Technology.

“This program taught me a lot about the importance of safety, as well as quality, and that everything else is constructed around these two key principles,” Tyler said. “Personally, I enjoy the machinery and the precision of the instruments and equipment. I’d rather hold a wrench than a pen, because I like that mental to physical problem solving.”

While Tyler plans to return to college and pursue additional education, he has found employment as a result of his skills and credentials. Tyler is currently at Vac-Con®, a world-wide vacuum truck dealers network. Vac-Con® sells industrial vacuums, hydro-excavation trucks and trailer mounted jetters, hydro-excavators and combination machines. At Vac-Con®, Tyler works in sub-assembly, where he builds the subframes that have been welded by another department. He notes the excellent benefits and pay that will help him achieve has many life goals.

Tyler was driven to work at Vac-Con® following a tour two years earlier during Manufacturing Month. Tours are coordinated by First Coast Manufacturers Association’s Workforce Development Committee and allow high school students to have a first-hand view of manufacturing opportunities available in Northeast Florida.

Due to his interest in a hands-on occupation, Tyler was driven to take advantage of this opportunity via a CARES Act, Rapid Credentialing Grant Opportunity from the Florida Department of Education and the SJR State. He said, “It was my way of getting the feel for the manufacturing industry. Financially, it was very important because college was the furthest from my mind.”

Content for this piece comes from an SJR State Student Highlight which originally appeared on the school's website and Facebook page.