DSC Leverages New Statewide Workforce Development Funding to Renovate Auto Collision Facilities and Purchase Equipment

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA (February 8, 2024) – Daytona State College has much to be proud of in February's month-long celebration of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, including a new grant designed to enhance an existing DSC program.

Daytona State will use its share of $22 million allocated by the State of Florida for CTE programs to renovate facilities at its Advanced Technology College used for the Auto Collision Repair & Refinishing program, purchase equipment and expand to evening classes. 

Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. announced that the state is investing $22 million from the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program to create or expand 30 programs dedicated to strengthening workforce development across Florida. 

“We have always been an advocate for career and technical education and the Department of Labor forecasts significant growth for auto collision repair technicians across the state,” said DSC President Tom LoBasso. “This grant complements other funding we have received that is being used to expand and enhance our program and opens the program to dual-enrolled students from area high schools.” 

The grant provides DSC with $350,000 to reconfigure existing instructional space in the Auto Collision program to house new repair and refinishing equipment and support expanding the program to two classes, including one evening program.

To learn more about Daytona State’s Auto Collision Repair & Refinishing program, visit: Automotive Collision Repair & Refinishing.

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Offering more than 100 certificate, associate and bachelor’s degree programs, Daytona State College is the leader in education and workforce training needs of Volusia and Flagler counties and beyond. The College enrolls approximately 23,000 students a year at its seven campuses, with graduates serving in critical fields including healthcare, emergency services and public safety, business, education, hospitality, engineering, project management, accounting, computer science, digital media, and more. 

Daytona State has been recognized as a leader in higher education numerous times. U.S. News & World Report ranks the College among the Top Tier Best Online Bachelor’s Programs. The U.S. Department of Education’s College Affordability and Transparency Center ranks DSC among the top 50 most affordable public four-year institutions in the country, with less than half the tuition of the national average. And U.S. News & World Report has ranked DSC among its Top Online Bachelor's Programs for Veterans multiple times.