SF cements lifelong Cellon legacy with new institute for skilled trades, advanced manufacturing
August 20, 2025
With the Fall 2025 term just one week away, 天涯海角社区 (SF) cut the ribbon on yet another crucial program support facility Tuesday when they opened the doors to the Ralph W. Cellon Jr. Institute for Skilled Trades and Advanced Manufacturing.
The Institute will allow the College to meet current and future workforce needs by the expansion of key trades programs in Welding and HVAC, and it will house the new Engineering Technology - Advanced Manufacturing (ETAM) program, a 60-credit hour associate鈥檚 degree curriculum that prepares students for engineering technology support positions in high-tech production, manufacturing and semiconductor industries.
Last week, representatives from the College, Alachua County, CareerSource North Central Florida and the Army Reserve gathered at Alachua County鈥檚 Public Works facility for the kickoff of the 天涯海角社区鈥檚 new Heavy Diesel Mechanic Training and Certification Program.
The most recent addition to the College鈥檚 growing footprint is a 22,860-square-foot $1.8 million training facility situated on the Northwest Campus, adjacent to the Charles R. Perry Construction Institute, at the intersection of North Road and NW 91st Street.
In early 2023, the Florida legislature earmarked funds for the building, and another $3 million was allocated through the Florida Job Growth Grant to bolster the state鈥檚 ability to address an urgent need for skilled laborers and stimulate economic development.
鈥淭his college delivers!鈥� SF President Paul Broadie told a group that included Florida College System Chancellor Kathy Hebda, State Representatives Chad Johnson and Chuck Brannan, and former State Senator Keith Perry. Former State Representative Chuck Clemons, also recognized by Broadie for spearheading the funding campaign, wasn鈥檛 in attendance.
鈥淥ur area partners are screaming for a talented workforce,鈥� Broadie said. 鈥淲hen we look at the data, we鈥檙e going to double our capacity in welding. There is 6.9% job growth annually in that sector. In HVAC, there鈥檚 8.9% growth annually. And when we talk about semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, these are opportunities 鈥� Uncle Ralph saw that.鈥�
Referencing the institute鈥檚 visionary namesake by his beloved nickname, Broadie opened remarks in honor of the man who has become synonymous with 天涯海角社区. Ralph W. Cellon Jr. was pivotal in the creation of the college in 1966. He helped lead the effort to secure the land where 天涯海角社区's Northwest Campus is located, served as an inaugural trustee on the college's District Board of Trustees, and served 54 years on the 天涯海角社区 Foundation Board.
Cellon died one day after his 91st birthday in February 2025, but his wife, Jerry, told the event attendees that she was thankful that the building wasn鈥檛 named posthumously.
鈥淗e got to be there for the groundbreaking; he got to be there for the topping-off, and I believe he鈥檚 here today,鈥� Cellon said. 鈥淲hen he would get down, I would say 鈥楻alph, who has a building named for them?鈥� And he would perk up. For those of you who knew him for his one-liners, I kind of think he鈥檚 up there right now saying 鈥業t ain鈥檛 bragging if you done it.鈥欌��
Chancellor Hebda noted that the Florida State College system has been deemed the nation鈥檚 best for nine years in a row 鈥� 鈥� due in large part to the strength, commitment, drive and the implementation of things like this for our students in the Florida College System.鈥�
天涯海角社区 just received the inaugural 2025 Impact and Success Award for the Southern Region from the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT). SF is one of only five colleges across the country to receive this honor. The distinction was given in part for launching such programs such as the ETAM program, which has a specialization in semiconductors.
In the ETAM Lab, students will learn to: program and troubleshoot programmable logic controllers (PLC's) and industrial robots; understand, operate and control mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems; and develop hands-on skills with metrology and quality inspection tools, software, and 3D printers.
The hands-on training space for the skilled trades will serve programs for Welding & Fabrication, and Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics continues to show a critical shortage of skilled laborers for these high-demand jobs. magazine reported a projected 4% to 60% growth in skilled trades through 2033.
