WASHINGTON, D.C. and ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Technical College (FTC) has named Building Talent Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to building a sustainable residential construction workforce, as its 2021 Construction Trades Partner of the Year.

FTC Distinguished Partnership Awards honors and recognizes a leader or an organization that works to strengthen the pathway between college coursework and career success, demonstrates strong commitment to providing work-integrated learning opportunities, and hiring of FTC students, and/or have shown a high level of overall support of FTC’s mission. 

“Building Talent Foundation has become a critical and important partner for FTC,” said Dr. James Michael Burkett, president of FTC. “Thanks to the great partnership we have with the organization, it has led to remarkable programs designed to empower and further the development of our students.”

Minic accepted the award on behalf of the hardworking team at Building Talent Foundation in Resideo Technologies' booth at the International Builders Show (IBS) taking place this week in Orlando. Resideo, an impact partner for Building Talent Foundation, is a pro-first company that is focused on partnering with Building Talent Foundation to help bring 100,000 new skilled technical workers into the building trades by 2030.

“We’re so excited and proud to be named as FTC Construction Trades Program Partner of the Year,” said Branka Minic, CEO of Building Talent Foundation. “In just the past year, we’ve made great progress in creating new employment opportunities for students to help them work toward their success in and out of the classroom.” 

Award winners are selected based on initiative, leadership, and the significant and positive impact they have on the lives of FTC students and the community at large. 

Building Talent Foundation was one of seven honorees selected from a Faculty & Staff Advisory Council with backgrounds in key business industries, such as construction, technology, healthcare, nonprofits, education, and hospitality–from throughout Florida.

“Our work isn’t done just yet,” added Minic. “We’ll continue to develop new opportunities to further deepen our relationship with FTC to support its students and meet the needs of our communities.”