The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) has established the Manufacturing Talent Asset Pipeline (TAP) program to promote manufacturing careers and drive manufacturing skill development in Brevard County, Florida. Through the TAP program the EDC is offering tuition assistance to eligible applicants for the nationally recognized Certified Production Technician (CPT) manufacturing credential course offered through Eastern Florida State College (EFSC). This is a nationally recognized and nationally accredited course.

CPT Training Tuition Assistance Program – Provides eligible applicants discounted tuition or scholarships for the CPT training course. The program is accessible to eligible applicants including current manufacturing employees, veterans of the U.S. Military, recent high school graduates, EFSC students, and adults interested in pursuing a career in manufacturing.

The EDC’s CPT Tuition Assistance Program provides subsidized tuition to eligible candidates, reducing program tuition from $1,550 to $675. The cost of $675 includes costs of tuition, books, fees and supplies. This is made possible through funding by the Florida Department of Education. Program participants will be responsible for a $125 program fee. Scholarships are available. To be considered select the appropriate option in section 4 (Fee Responsibility) of the application. Scholarships will be awarded based on funding availability and applicant qualification. Any fees not covered by the tuition assistance program and/or additional scholarships will be the responsibility of the student or sponsoring employer. Additional fees may include course exam retakes.

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Evaluation process:
Applications will be reviewed by an independent review committee and selections made based on funding availability and applicant qualification. Preference for full scholarships will be given to candidates not currently employed in manufacturing.

Award notification:
Notifications will be made a minimum of two weeks prior to the course start date.

Course enrollment:
Tuition Assistance recipients will be required to enroll in the CPT Course directly through EFSC by completing the non-credit application.

Funding:
The Tuition Assistance is extended to selected recipients in the form of direct payment to EFSC to reduce the cost of tuition. No funding will be directly distributed to the recipient.

Course participation:
Tuition Assistance recipients agree to participate in course required activities such as pre-course assessment(s), manufacturing facility tour(s), classes, lab, four exams, and work readiness session and end of course job fair (job fair participation is not required for incumbent workers employed in manufacturing).

Reporting:
Tuition Assistance recipients agree to participate in survey reports conducted by the EDC during the course and for up to 12 months after course completion. These report(s) are required for evaluating the program and its effectiveness. The information captured in these reports will be reported out in aggregate to the grant funder, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

Noncompliance:
If the Tuition Assistance recipient does not complete the course and participate in the four exams, the scholarship recipient may be invoiced for 50% of the award, net 30.

• Why Train to be a CPT?
  • Certifications significantly increase the employability and wages of those who earn them. There is no shortage of individuals with no skills, but those who have demonstrated their commitment to a career by earning an industry certificate will rise to the top of the list for manufacturers seeking new employees.

• What will you learn?
  • Get acquainted with the CPT curriculum here.

• What do you need to know before you apply?
  • The CPT Training Tuition Assistance program discounts the per-person program costs from $1,500 to $675. The cost of $675 includes costs of tuition, books, fees and supplies. Additionally, applicants may apply for a full scholarship covering 100% of the course costs by completing additional sections of the application. Full scholarships will be awarded based on funding availability and applicant qualification. Program participants will also be responsible for a $125 program fee, up to half of which may be covered by a scholarship if requirements are met. Any fees not covered by the tuition assistance program will be the responsibility of the student or sponsoring employer. Additional fees may include course exam retakes.

• What is the class structure?
  • A 10-week online course where you will view and participate in a lecture Monday and Wednesday nights, from 6 – 10 pm from your own computer.
  • During the lecture you may ask questions and have immediate response from your instructor. If you are unable to participate in the live lecture, a link will be available for viewing. You may email your questions.
  • Practice quizzes and vocabulary sheets help you prepare for each exam. Study labs will be available prior to each exam to review lessons and ask questions. Additional labs and extended training may be scheduled.

• Who Can Apply?
  • The CPT Training Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) provides is available to Brevard County residents. Eligible applicants include current manufacturing employees, veterans of the U.S. Military, recent high school graduates, EFSC students, and adults interested in pursuing a career in manufacturing.

Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast
6525 3rd Street, Suite 304
Rockledge, FL 32955
Phone: 321.638.2000

For information about CPT Training:
CPT@SpaceCoastEDC.org
Phone: 321.638.2000