Valencia College unveils new precision Optics Lab; celebrates first graduates and professional parternship

Thursday was a big day at Valencia College.

Valencia, at the Osceola campus' Center for Industry and Technology building, dedicated the college’s new Precision Optics Lab and a partnership with Lockheed Martin.

Thursday also saw the lab's first class of 14 students celebrate their graduation. The 15-week program trains students to fabricate a lens from raw glass and polish it to a certain aperture needed to serve as a component in helicopters, autonomous vehicles, communication systems or medical devices – the optics used in almost every step of semiconductor chip manufacturing. 

In order to meet the area's manufacturing sector growing need for precision optics and photonics technicians, Valencia launched Florida’s first optics technician program in October 2023. It's a 15-week training program designed trains the finer parts of optics fabrication, optical assembly, photonics, and fiber optics.

"Lockheed Martin has been one of Valencia's strongest supporters since the college's inception in 1967," Valencia College President Kathleen Plinske said Thursday. "That partnership continues today, as Lockheed Martin continues to collaborate with Valencia College to develop and educate a skilled, talented local workforce – one that will pay dividends in this community for years to come."

The program teaches students how to fabricate a lens from raw glass and polish it to a certain aperture needed to serve as a component in helicopters, autonomous vehicles, communication systems or medical devices.

In addition to Lockheed Martin’s support, AmeriCOM, a Department of Defense-funded center for optics manufacturing training, provided Valencia with $1.5 million for lab equipment, the school said.

Lockheed has guided the development of the new workforce program, working closely with Valencia College to launch the program, guide the curriculum, and even sending employees to teach the classes.

"The success of these students is a shining example of what can happen when academic, industry, and governmental partners support each other to strengthen the optics manufacturing industry," said Bob Bicksler, president and CEO of AmeriCOM. "They've become job-ready in four months, and have opportunities for dynamic careers in optics manufacturing that will help grow our entire Central Florida region."

Valencia College also worked closely with its precision optics industry advisory board, including members of LightPath Technologies, Ocean Optics, Critical Frequency, Jenoptik,  Raytheon, and Chronos Photonics, to ensure that Valencia instructors are teaching the skills needed by Central Florida companies. 

“Workforce development is very important for Central Florida. Valencia College and Lockheed Martin have collaborated for many years to develop programs such as the latest Optics Precision Technician accelerated skills training program,” said Joe Battista, vice president of Workforce, Career and Professional Education at Valencia College. “We thank all the partners involved and congratulate the first cohort of graduates.”

Optics are also used in almost every step of semiconductor chip manufacturing. From the initial lithographic techniques, to pattern circuits, to the final metrology and cutting of the wafers, optical technologies are critical to meeting society’s growing need for computer chips.