Florida Technical College (FTC) has named Building Talent Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to building a sustainable residential construction workforce, as its 2021 Construction Trades Partner of the Year.

The FTC Distinguished Partnership Award 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."

"We're so excited and proud to be named as FTC Construction Trades Program Partner of the Year," added 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."

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.

"Our work isn't done just yet," Minic said. "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."

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.