The partnership between business and education is vital to the workforce pipeline. Through a collaborative partnership between the Education Foundation, JPMorgan Chase & Co, and The School District of Palm Beach County, the Fire Science Academy was formed at Palm Beach Lakes Community High School in 2018. Three years later, the school will celebrate its first graduate from the program this May.
Deborah is fulfilling a dream she shared with her father to become a Fire Fighter. Unfortunately, her father was not able to realize his dream before passing away from cancer. Deborah’s dream is to become a Fire Chief and is incredibly grateful for the Fire Science Academy. She is confident in her abilities and the skills she’s learned through the academy and looks forward to a fulfilling career in the field.
“That is what the Education Foundation is about. That is what this grant from JPMorgan Chase is about. It’s about kids and getting them ready for the future” states James Gavrilos, President & CEO of the Education Foundation.
Seventy students are now enrolled in the Palm Beach Lakes Community High School Fire Science Academy and upon graduation, these students will be ready to enter the workforce with an impressive resume that includes industry certifications. Another benefit to the program is the college credits they will receive should they choose to further their educational journey to higher education whether that be matriculating to the Fire Science Academy at Palm Beach State College or enrolling in another post-secondary institution.
