FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Video and Photos Included
Tampa, Fl. (December 12, 2025) – Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) celebrated the official ribbon cutting of the new Rick Lott Technical College in Plant City on Friday, December 12. The event brought together school board members, district leaders, business partners, and community stakeholders to mark a major investment in workforce education for East Hillsborough County.
Located at 1690 E. Park Road in Plant City, next to Plant City Stadium, Rick Lott Technical College sits on a modern campus featuring dedicated lab and shop spaces designed to mirror real-world job sites.
“Today’s ribbon cutting at Rick Lott Technical College is about opportunity,” said Superintendent Van Ayres. “Students in Plant City and across East Hillsborough now have a clear pathway to high-skill, high-wage careers right here in their own community. From welding and HVAC to building construction and electrical trades, these programs equip graduates with the certifications local employers need—so they can step confidently into the workforce and build a prosperous future.”
During the ceremony, guests toured classrooms and hands-on labs showcasing programs such as:
Building Construction
Electricity / Industrial Electricity
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Welding Technology
Forklift Certification and other short-term workforce programs
Most programs are structured to be completed in approximately one year, allowing students to earn industry-recognized credentials and transition quickly into high-wage, high-demand jobs across the Tampa Bay region.
Principal Gary Graham stated that “Our labs and shops were designed to look and feel like the workplaces our students will step into after graduation. Every day, they will work with the tools, equipment, and safety standards used on real job sites. These are practical, affordable programs that move students from the classroom into a career as efficiently as possible.”
Rick Lott Technical College joins Hillsborough County’s robust network of technical colleges and Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs that provide students with clear pathways from school to career.
Districtwide, HCPS offers:
CTE programs at all traditional high schools, multiple career centers, and dozens of middle schools
More than 70 career and technical education programs across high-skill, high-wage fields
Opportunities for students to earn thousands of industry certifications each year, giving them a competitive edge in the job market
Existing technical colleges—including Erwin, Brewster, and Aparicio-Levy—offer a combined portfolio of programs in health sciences, information technology, business, public service, and industrial education. Rick Lott Technical College expands those opportunities with a specialized focus on construction, electrical, HVAC, welding, and related trades that align with regional workforce needs.
To learn more about the career and technical educational opportunities at HCPS, visit hillsboroughschools.org.
Photos from the event can be found at this link and may be used with credit to Hillsborough County Public Schools: Https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/wu4jjs6qirb038pkms50r/AMekyXkeClXP83N2csdR28Y?rlkey=3bnimq9w6b3uk6wzk0wd031y0&st=m43fufks&dl=0