SPC to launch free SMART Tech training classes

Starting this month, individuals will be able to take two manufacturing training courses at St. Petersburg College for free through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. 

The classes will cover electronic board assembly operations and robotics and semiconductor technician skills. They are a part of the institution’s SMART Tech (semiconductor, mechatronics, automation and robotics) program. 

“This leads to high skill and high wage jobs,” said SPC dean of workforce development Belinthia Berry. “You’re talking about multiple certifications that people will leave with. They can go into many different pathways.” 

Some of these positions start with an entry-level salary range of $48,000 to $62,000. 

The initiative was the product of industry conversations. SPC leadership collaborated with manufacturing companies to determine what skills are requested and necessary in the workforce. 

Employers were clear that there is a need for new talent, she added. According to the Florida Department of Commerce, the state’s manufacturing industry totaled 434,600 jobs in March 2025 – an increase of 5,700 jobs in comparison to the previous year. 

The SMART courses covered by the grant will be complimentary until June 2027. Berry said that the goal is to provide students with a “base of what the new technologies are.” 

To qualify, participants must be at least 18 years old, have proof of a high school diploma/GED and be able to read, write and comprehend English. 

The electronic board assembly operator class, which begins Feb. 9, is a three-month program that offers hands-on training in soldering, assembling and testing electronic circuit boards. It includes five industry certifications. 

A robotics and semiconductor technician course will launch the following day. The eight-month program will give students the ability to learn about microprocessors, circuits, robotics and simulation and measurement. Participants will receive 10 industry certifications. 

SPC is currently constructing an Industry 4.0 Smart Lab at its Midtown campus – which is expected to be completed in the fall. Students will be using a temporary space until it is ready.  

Berry and her team began to receive new equipment for the lab in November. 

These include products that can be found in modern assembly lines. Additionally, the lab will have artificial intelligence and virtual reality capabilities. SPC was able to acquire the state of the art items through the grant, she added. 

“We want individuals to know that this training is outfitted for everybody,” Berry said. “Workforce education is key in the short-term. It can get you through the door quickly, get you skilled up and can get you to where you need to go.” 

More courses will be launched later this year, including an automated production technician program, which includes three industry certifications. 

To apply for the SMART Tech classes, visit this link.