DeAnna Thomas, Executive Director, Lake Technical College

In an interview with Invest:, DeAnna Thomas, executive director of Lake Technical College, reflected on the rapid expansion driven by workforce demand, noting a 22% enrollment increase and multiple new campuses underway. “We’re training today for jobs that don’t even exist yet,” Thomas said, underscoring the school’s agility in launching high-skill programs in manufacturing, healthcare, and public safety.

What are the main drivers behind the college’s recent growth, and how are you adapting your model to meet evolving needs?

Our business and industry partners drive most of what we do. We’ve seen a 22% increase in enrollment this past year, which is significant.

We added one new campus, have another under construction, and a third — an entirely new campus — in development in the southern part of the county. These expansions align with high-demand occupations identified by the Department of Economic Opportunity and our local CareerSource Central Florida board.

We’re focused on closing workforce gaps and offering high-skill, high-wage programs that allow students to enter the workforce job-ready, with a clear path to continue their education if they choose.

What makes Lake County and the Central Florida region ideal for Lake Tech?

Lake and Sumter counties are among the fastest-growing in Florida. There’s more available land here than in places like South Florida, so the population growth is pushing this way.

What sets us apart is the collaboration. We work closely with the county government, the Board of County Commissioners, Lake Economic Area Development, Lake 100, and others. Everyone is focused on economic growth, and we each bring a different piece to the puzzle.

We’re here to train the local workforce, not just to attract new businesses but to support and retain those that are already here.

Which sectors are driving growth now, and what are your focus areas for the next five years?

Advanced manufacturing is a major priority. A lot more manufacturing is happening in Central Florida than people realize. New talent and companies are coming in, and areas like Eustis are designated hub zones, which help attract these businesses.

Transportation is another. We partnered with the city of Tavares on a new campus where we train diesel systems technicians and master automotive service techs alongside city technicians. Demand is so high that employers are constantly recruiting directly from these programs.

And of course, Healthcare remains a top focus, especially with our large and growing senior population. We’re seeing more demand for both emergency and long-term care services.

How are you adapting to changes in student needs and demographics?

We offer flexible scheduling: full-time students attend Monday through Thursday, which leaves them time for jobs and families. Programs run 28–30 hours a week of hands-on training.

We also offer evening and weekend options for programs like nursing, welding,and public safety. And when demand is high, we open new sections — weekends, evenings, whatever fits.

Because we’re a clock-hour institution, not bound by traditional semester models, we can be very responsive to community needs and employer demand.

How is the Lake Technical College SouthWorkforce Education Center and other recent expansions coming along?

In South Lake, we’re repurposing a former elementary school campus in partnership with Lake County Schools. They’ve launched a flexible high-school program there, and we’re building workforce programs alongside it.

We’ve received over $9 million in state funding so far for the first two phases, and we’re working on a request for a third. Programs there will include HVAC, electrical, paramedic, IT, healthcare, construction, and hospitality.

We’re also expanding our Institute of Public Safety in Tavares by 10,000 square feet to add more training for law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, and dispatchers. Plus, we’re renovating space on our main campus to add programs like industrial machinery maintenance and aluminum welding.

How is Lake Tech integrating AI and automation into its curriculum?

We’ve embraced AI. For faculty and staff, we offer professional development on how to use it ethically and effectively in their roles, not to replace them but to enhance their work.

Each year, faculty engage in “deliberate practice” to grow professionally and translate that into classroom instruction. Last year’s focus was on AI in their specific fields. We teach over 30 programs, so AI in welding looks different from AI in healthcare or law enforcement.

We keep our teachers engaged with their industries, so they bring the latest tools and practices back to the classroom. That way, students enter the workforce already aligned with current trends.

How do you stay engaged with the community and support regional development?

We take a holistic approach. Every program has an occupational advisory committee made up of industry experts who review our curriculum, equipment, and requirements to ensure everything aligns with workforce needs.

We don’t offer student loans — everything is Pell Grant eligible or covered by scholarships. That keeps training accessible and affordable.

We also work closely with all local municipalities in Lake County, the County Commission, economic development teams, and private partners. We’re at the table when businesses consider moving here, helping assess workforce support, whether it’s a program we already have or something new we need to build.

One example of that collaboration is the Lake Works Partnership, which is a joint initiative between Lake County Schools, Lake Technical College, and Lake-Sumter State College. It creates clear career pathways starting in high school and extending through postsecondary education, even up to a four-year degree if needed. We’ve gone beyond state articulation agreements to maximize credit transfers, shorten time to workforce entry, and lower student costs.

We also share facilities, cross-train staff, and maintain a shared commitment to serving the community. It’s not about competition, it’s about delivering results together. That kind of partnership is rare, and it’s something I’m proud of.

What are your top priorities for the next two to three years?

First, finish the construction projects. Once those are complete, we’ll be able to offer around 10 new career certificate programs, on top of the 32 we already have.

Second, stay on top of emerging technologies. We always say: we’re training today for jobs that don’t even exist yet. If we’re not moving as fast as the world around us, we’ll fall behind.

And third, keep building new programs as needs arise. We want to remain nimble, current, and continue to be the premier provider of workforce training in the region.