St. Pete College opens workforce hub named for former FL House speaker

St. Petersburg College is now welcoming visitors to the Chris Sprowls Workforce Innovation Hub at the Tarpon Springs campus, the college says in a news release.

"The state-of-the-art facility is primed to become a key location for manufacturing, creativity and collaboration in Pinellas County and a focal point of the campus," the college says in a statement.

The hub is a 10,000-square-foot space named after Chris Sprowls, a former speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.

"It celebrates his vision of cultivating a skilled workforce by fostering skill development, encouraging collaboration and contributing to the growth of local manufacturing businesses," the college says.

The hub is made up of three separate and distinct areas that can be rented.

There is the entrepreneurial space, the "Makerspace" and the event space.

"The Hub is a solution to building a sustainable talent pipeline for the future," says Jackie Skryd, the college's vice president of workforce development and corporate partnerships, in the statement. "It gives us a place where students can gain practical skills and real-world experience, ensuring job readiness. It is also a place where students, businesses, the college and the community can connect, network, develop ideas, and collaborate — ultimately leading to placement in great jobs."

Founded in 1927, St. Petersburg College is Florida's first two-year college. Regionally accredited and nationally recognized, the college says it offers more than 200 degrees, certificates and transfer programs, including many high-demand, high-skill, industry-recognized workforce certifications.