{"id":22493,"date":"2025-05-12T10:00:24","date_gmt":"2025-05-12T14:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/?p=22493"},"modified":"2025-05-07T11:08:47","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T15:08:47","slug":"orange-county-fleet-fuels-future-talent-at-skillsusa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/2025\/05\/orange-county-fleet-fuels-future-talent-at-skillsusa\/","title":{"rendered":"Orange County Fleet Fuels Future Talent at SkillsUSA"},"content":{"rendered":"

Orange County\u2019s Fleet Management Division is helping shape Florida\u2019s next generation of mechanics through hands-on participation in the annual SkillsUSA Florida State Leadership and Skills Competition<\/a>, recently held in Jacksonville.<\/p>\n

The event brings together students from across the state to compete in a variety of trade-related skills, including Automotive Technology, Marine Service and Heavy Equipment Technology.<\/p>\n

For the County\u2019s Fleet Division, it is more than just competition. Like many agencies across the country, Fleet Management has faced a shortage of skilled mechanics. In 2024, the division\u2019s vacancy rate for technician positions hovered around 21 percent \u2014 a notable improvement from 2022\u2019s 35 percent, but still a challenge. SkillsUSA offers a crucial pipeline to connect with trained, motivated young people entering the workforce.<\/p>\n

Along with recruitment from local technical schools, Orange County sees SkillsUSA as an opportunity to get students involved and properly trained in the mechanic trade. The division has even hired former SkillsUSA participants for mechanic and welding positions.<\/p>\n

Two of the division\u2019s longtime mechanics, Van Berry and Kesseler Tarver, served as judges for the event and also helped design the competition tests.<\/p>\n

Berry, who has been with Orange County Fleet for more than a decade, said his role involves preparing hands-on challenges for competitors. \u201cYou ask questions related to brakes \u2014 specifications, etc.,\u201d he explained. \u201cI\u2019ll disassemble the truck, and they have to go on it and find the parts.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tarver, also a 10-year veteran of the division, emphasized the importance of making the competition engaging and practical. \u201cI like to make things more exciting \u2014 make it fun and intriguing to the person you\u2019re teaching, and they\u2019ll want to learn more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both men stressed that judging goes beyond technical know-how. \u201cWe look at everything \u2014 safety, uniforms, whether they found the right part and figured out what\u2019s wrong with it,\u201d said Berry.<\/p>\n

Tarver added, \u201cSafety is the number one priority. We deal with diesel engines, so they tend to be more dangerous. You need to be very aware of your surroundings, dress for safety, wear goggles, etc.\u201d<\/p>\n

Participation in SkillsUSA also allows Orange County Fleet to demonstrate its workplace culture to potential recruits. \u201cWe\u2019re able to show how we do things here and bring in young talent,\u201d said Tarver. \u201cThe flexible schedules and supportive management make it a great place to work.\u201d<\/p>\n

Berry echoed that sentiment. \u201cOrange County gives us the utmost respect to do what we do best.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Orange County Fleet continues to maintain more than 4,200 vehicles and emergency equipment around the clock, its investment in SkillsUSA is helping ensure the next generation is ready \u2014 and trained \u2014 to keep the wheels turning.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Orange County\u2019s Fleet Management Division is helping shape Florida\u2019s next generation of mechanics through hands-on participation in the annual SkillsUSA Florida State Leadership and Skills Competition, recently held in Jacksonville. The event brings together students from across the state to compete in a variety of trade-related skills, including Automotive Technology, Marine Service and Heavy Equipment […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":22523,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22493","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community-services"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nOrange County Fleet Fuels Future Talent at SkillsUSA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/2025\/05\/orange-county-fleet-fuels-future-talent-at-skillsusa\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Orange County Fleet Fuels Future Talent at SkillsUSA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Orange County\u2019s Fleet Management Division is helping shape Florida\u2019s next generation of mechanics through hands-on participation in the annual SkillsUSA Florida State Leadership and Skills Competition, recently held in Jacksonville. 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