Polk State Corporate College celebrates success with international certification

Polk State’s Corporate College recently achieved International Organization of Standardization (ISO 9001) certification, recognizing the quality and efficiency of its programming in providing services to its customers, including students and employers who partner with the College for workforce training.

This places the Corporate College among a prestigious group of ISO 9001-certified international organizations including SpaceX, Samsung Telecommunications, Intel, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Shell Global, and ExxonMobil.

Polk State President Angela Garcia Falconetti received the certificate from consultant Brad Klapprott alongside Polk State Corporate College Director Howard Drake.

“I don’t know of any other college or university in the United States with ISO 9001 Certification,” Klapprott said. “This was a seamless process thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Polk State Corporate College team.”

ISO 9001 is the international standard for quality management systems, and it is used by a variety of organizations to demonstrate their ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements. In addition to unparalleled quality in a field, ISO 9001 certification also illustrates an organization’s commitment to continuous improvement with rigorous annual auditing.

Susan Langley, Vice President of Human Resources at Florida’s Natural Growers and Chair of the Polk State Corporate College Advisory Board, reflected on the inception of Polk State Corporate College and its growth as a successful workforce training provider.

“This certification shows manufacturers that Polk State Corporate College is an academic institution that understands the industry… and speaks the language of manufacturing.”

Patti Gander
Polk State Corporate College Advisory Board

“Because a significant number of manufacturers utilize Polk State Corporate College, the pursuit of ISO 9001 certification was chosen, and under Dr. Falconetti’s leadership, it was achieved,” Langley said.

Corporate College pursued ISO 9001 certification because of its prestige within the manufacturing industry, which the College serves through its Advanced Manufacturing Institute, College Alliance for Advanced Manufacturing (CAAM), and Industrial Maintenance and Machining Program. The Corporate College serves approximately 12,000 students each year with high-tech degree programs and short-term training options that fulfill local workforce needs.

“This certification shows manufacturers that Polk State Corporate College is an academic institution that understands the industry… and speaks the language of manufacturing,” said Patti Gander, Executive Director of the Mid-Florida Manufacture and Supply Chain Alliance and the Business Advisor for FloridaMakes. Ganders also serves on the Polk State Corporate College Advisory Board.

Polk State Corporate College serves approximately 12,000 students each year with high-tech degree programs and short-term training options that fulfill local workforce needs.

“This certification aligns with our mission to provide access to affordable, quality higher education and I could not be more thankful to Polk State Corporate College faculty and staff for their commitment to providing excellent workforce training for our community,” Falconetti said. “Thank you to them and to our partners, whose support allows us to remain on the cutting edge of higher education and workforce training.”