Heights CareerTech Institute is set to open Aug. 5 in south Fort Myers, launching workforce training programs designed to serve students from across Southwest Florida.
David Dorsey
Kathryn Kelly marveled at the building, still under construction, that will take The Heights Foundation’s mission to another level — one that will extend beyond Harlem Heights to serve all of Southwest Florida.
Heights CareerTech Institute, a $42 million project comprising two stories and 63,500 square feet at 15295 Pine Ridge Road in south Fort Myers, is expected to welcome its first students Aug. 5.
Construction continues on the exterior of Heights CareerTech Institute at the corner of Pine Ridge Road and Gladiolus Drive in south Fort Myers. The 63,500-square-foot campus is expected to open Aug. 5.
David Dorsey
Kelly, president and CEO of The Heights Foundation, the nonprofit she founded in 2000, said the organization remains committed to its mission of building strong, self-sufficient families in Harlem Heights. The new postsecondary career and technical education institute, however, will expand that mission by educating students from across the region.
The institute will accommodate up to 500 graduating students each year in 17 career disciplines, she said. More than 100 students have already enrolled.
“We started thinking about a trade school or a career tech school for the kids in Harlem Heights,” Kelly said during a June 24 media tour. “Once we did our research, we realized there’s a gap in all of Southwest Florida for workforce development. We’ll be pulling kids from other areas, as well.”
Kathryn Kelly, president and CEO of The Heights Foundation, speaks during a media tour of Heights CareerTech Institute in south Fort Myers. The $42 million career and technical education campus is expected to welcome its first students Aug. 5.
David Dorsey
Electrician and medical assisting programs begin Aug. 5, followed by fundamental food service skills and certified nursing assistant programs Aug. 24.
Medical coding and billing, licensed practical nursing, HVAC, marine service technology, plumbing and welding classes will begin in September.
Additional programs will roll out over the next two years, including automotive service technology, early childhood education, legal administrative assisting, major appliance repair and refrigeration and professional culinary arts and hospitality.
The Heights Land Co. Inc. purchased the property for $1.85 million in June 2022, property records show.
“We’ve been working on this project for more than three years,” Kelly said. “When we were looking at the students from Harlem Heights and how many were graduating from high school, we realized there was a next step for them, and if it wasn’t college, what should it be? So, we strategically thought that a trade school or career tech school would be the answer.
Construction crews work on the exterior façade of Heights CareerTech Institute as the new campus nears completion in south Fort Myers. The institute will offer workforce training programs in high-demand career fields beginning Aug. 5.
David Dorsey
“We spent the next year doing research. What was being offered right now? What was the gap in the workforce development projections for the next five to 10 years? That’s how we decided on the programs that we’re going to have.”
Owen-Ames-Kimball is completing construction of the building at the corner of Pine Ridge Road and Gladiolus Drive near the Harlem Heights community. R.G. Architects designed the facility.
Campus Director Eric Dennis brings a background in both athletics and education. He has more than 20 years of leadership experience in career college education, overseeing programs in skilled trades, business, sports, culinary arts and medical fields. Earlier in his career, he served as athletic director at Robert Morris University and coached basketball in Europe, Asia and Indiana. He will lead the new school through its formative years.
Construction crews install exterior glass and complete finishing work at Heights CareerTech Institute in south Fort Myers. The new workforce training campus is scheduled to open Aug. 5 with its first career and technical education programs.
David Dorsey
Kelly said she is excited about the institute’s opening because it reflects how far The Heights Foundation has come.
“No, I would never have imagined that we would be doing this,” Kelly said. “But it really was the next logical step. Once we got on this path, it’s like, well of course we would be doing this. Because why not? Southwest Florida needs this. Our kids in Harlem Heights need this. And it’s just a good thing for our community.”