Manatee Technical College outlines Project EDGE program for students with unique abilities

Manatee Technical College officials updated the Bates County School Board on Project EDGE, a postsecondary program for students with intellectual disabilities that launched its inaugural cohort this past year.

The college presented completion and placement details and described how state funding and scholarships from the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities support tuition, books, materials and staffing. Dr. Paul Gansmer, who led the presentation, said the program is intentionally small and hands-on: “We believe that Manatee Technical College is one of the best technical colleges in the state,” he told the board.

Project EDGE is structured in stages. Stage 1 provides a year of life and employment skills on MTC’s East campus and allows students to audit technical classes and pursue certifications. Stage 2 places participants into credit technical programs (for example, baking and pastry, advanced manufacturing, early childhood education or construction) that vary in length by trade. The program is accredited through the Council on Occupational Education and is described to families as free for eligible students because scholarships and grants cover direct costs.

Dawn Giddens, the program coordinator, reported results from the inaugural cohort: eight students completed the first-year program out of 10 starters; two of those graduates had secured paid employment “in something that they actually want to do,” she said, and five enrolled in MTC’s main campus technical programs. One graduate accepted placement at Southeastern University to continue on a residential track while others remained on campus for further training.

Dr. Jody Kirk, the college’s director, said Project EDGE is supported by the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities (a program established under state postsecondary transition law) and by periodic professional development and grant opportunities. She said MTC is following the state application process and has obtained both the center’s program approval and related scholarships and grants.

Board members asked how the college finds employers and handles transportation. Giddens described several workforce partnerships and said staff conducts interest inventories and works with local businesses and vocational rehabilitation to place graduates. She also confirmed MTC lists handy-bus application information on its Project EDGE and disability services web pages and that, this year, three students used the county’s handy-bus service to travel to campus.

Gansmer and Kirk said a second cohort began classes in early August; the college plans to expand certifications available early in the year and to continue advising and employer outreach, including invitations to local business partners and the chamber of commerce for future tours and hiring conversations. The presenters said they will track graduate outcomes and report student data to the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities for up to five years as required by the program.