
Polk State connects high schoolers with manufacturers to learn about careers and training

Polk State College recently hosted its annual Manufacturing Day for high school students across Polk County to learn about the abundance of career opportunities in the industry as well as the pathways to achieving them…

Student who paid thousands for education benefits from free training as Polk State Metallica Scholar

Hillary Castillo paid nearly $38,000 for her former education and training when the expense became too much and caused her to drop out of school. Today, she is on a fast track to a high-paying,…

Become a machinist for free in eight weeks through the Polk State Metallica Scholars Program

Polk State College is proud to be one of the schools selected from a competitive pool across the country to receive a grant from Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation in partnership with the American…

Polk State College awarded $50,000 for Metallica Scholars Initiative

Polk State College was selected from a competitive field of community colleges across the country to receive $50,000 to transform the future of students in the community. Funded by Metallica’s All Within My Hands (AWMH)…

Winter Haven paramedic builds skills through Polk State leadership program

Nicholas Bilbrey, a Firefighter III/Paramedic for the City of Winter Haven, admits that he wasn’t the greatest student when he was enrolled at Polk State College in the early 2000s. He has been successful in…

Four Polk State programs still offering free training through Fast Forward

Polk State College is still offering free training in four short-term, non-credit rapid credentialing programs through its Fast Forward initiative which is grant-funded by the Florida Department of Education. Individuals interested in free Certified Logistics…

Metallica Scholar finds senses of stability and home at Polk State

Christopher Needham had a difficult upbringing and “had to do what I had to do to make ends meet.” But his life is now a bit easier thanks to his determination, a scholarship from Metallica’s…

Polk State Metallica Scholar goes from strenuous jobs to rewarding career

From working in roofing, construction, truck driving, and warehouses, Billy McGahee has spent most of his life jumping from one physically-demanding job to another. At 36, he decided it was time for a change and…

Polk State, Winter Haven Leadership Development in Public Administration partnership celebrates first class

Polk State College and the City of Winter Haven are celebrating the first class of city employees who have completed the Leadership Development in Public Administration (LDPA) Program. Launched this year, LDPA provides quality professional…

For Polk State Metallica Scholar, machining is a family affair

Chassidy Houchin is graduating this week with Polk State College’s first group of Metallica Scholars part of the Computer Numeric Control (CNC) Machining class supported by a Metallica’s All Within My Hands grant. For Houchin,…