Northbridge University campus hosts roundtable on career pathway development
Florida Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins, also a Republican candidate for governor this year, toured the Kissimmee campus of Northbridge University Wednesday.
Northbridge, a for-profit private university based in Puerto Rico, has nine Florida campuses, including the Kissimmee location Collins visited Wednesday. Collins’ local tour included a trip to a downtown Kissimmee restaurant to meet with constituents.
The visit included a roundtable discussion on career readiness, workforce alignment, and economic competitiveness.
Per Northbridge and Collins’ office, the campus tour focused on innovative higher education models, career-connected learning, industry-driven academic pathways, and workforce training programs across healthcare, skilled trades, technology, and other high-growth sectors present in Central Florida.’
During the visit, Collins toured several academic and workforce training programs, including healthcare and skilled trades education facilities, while meeting directly with students, faculty, and university leadership.
“Florida’s future depends on building strong talent pipelines that prepare students for meaningful careers while supporting the workforce needs of our employers and industries,” Collins said Wednesday. “Institutions like Northbridge University are playing an important role in expanding access to workforce education and helping Floridians develop the skills needed to succeed in today’s economy.”
The executive roundtable included Northbridge executives, local officials like Kissimmee Police Chief Charles Broadway and Economic Development Director David Rodriguez, St. Cloud Mayor Chris Robertson, Osceola County Sheriff Chris Blackmon and Hispanic community representatives.
“We were honored to welcome Lieutenant Governor Collins to our Kissimmee campus for a meaningful conversation about the future of higher education and workforce development in Florida,” said Dr. James Michael Burkett, president of U.S. operations for Northbridge University. “Higher education institutions have a responsibility to evolve alongside industry, ensuring students graduate with the practical skills, workforce experience, and career readiness necessary to thrive in today’s economy.”
