Florida Trade Academy (FTA) was the inspiration of Chris Pello, an educator, community leader and a school operations specialist. For over 35 years, Chris has been involved in education as a principal, athletic director, high school coach, teacher, and community leader. Over the last 20 years, Chris has also successfully founded and operated four private schools in Hillsborough County Florida, now serving over 400 students in grades K-12 with 85 employees.
ABOUT FTA
When longtime non-profit leaders and friends, Chris Pello and Chuck Burgess, discuss a community need, they set out to find a solution.
Finding A Pathway To Success
Chris knew that if FTA was going to be successful, he needed to recruit some major players in the community. Chris tapped Chuck Burgess, CEO of High 5, Inc. a community sports and recreation facility and Jeffrey Stone, a successful entrepreneur, as Co-Founders.
Many students, whether finishing their high school studies in programs like Pello and Burgess offer or through the public or charter school systems, are not finding their pathway to careers through a college education. Both men agreed the majority of their students were hitting blocks to thriving in their young adulthood because of limited post-secondary education options.
A Look at the Statistics
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has noted a decline in high school students enrolling in college. The latest figures (2020) showed approximately 60% of high school graduates pursue 2-year or 4-year institutions. These numbers indicate the remainder either are entering the workforce immediately or are unsure of the path forward.
Couple the NCES statistics with those from the Education Data Initiative, and the truth is that university studies are not serving even more people.
- 32.9 percent of undergraduates never finish their degree programs.
- College dropouts see a 19.6% higher rate of unemployment than degree holders.
The two men envisioned a solution for many through trade school education, and the Florida Trade Academy (FTA) concept was born in 2022.
"It's what we do that makes us who we are."
Paths to Success
Burgess shared that he and Pello realized a different career success path would offer people more than hopeful financial outlooks. People who feel they are in meaningful jobs would also be more involved in their communities and have higher feelings of self-worth. Additionally, he noted that employment trickles down to improving other statistics, such as alcohol abuse and other substance addiction.
Careers Carve Paths For A Life Fulfillment
There was another population that both men realized needed attention — those leaving incarceration and re-entering society. The numbers are grim on the success of individuals leaving prison. Pello and Burgess also saw ways that skilled trade education could offer people exiting the prison system income opportunities and renewed purpose and hope.
A Booming Florida Economy & The Demand For Workers In Skilled Trades
Florida has always attracted retirees and those seeking warmer weather to move to the state. However, the favorable tax climate has attracted many companies to the Sunshine State in recent years. As a result, Florida is one of the fastest-growing economies in the nation, with Florida employers adding jobs for 30 consecutive months from May 2020 to October 2022. Of the 1.5 million jobs expected to open in Florida over the next 10 years, many are in high-demand, high-wage skilled trades.
With growing skilled-trade positions across the state, an aging population of trade workers, and fewer people entering the trade fields, the need for training and providing qualified workers to companies ready to hire them is immense.
Pello and Burgess, in their daily drives around Tampa Bay, see booming construction downtown on highrises and overpasses and in the suburban neighborhoods surrounding. But, what they hadn’t seen was a bridge to take graduating high schoolers or career changers to trade careers. So, they decided to build it.
Partnerships for Success, Significance, and Hope
Pello and Burgess approached another longtime friend and successful businessman, Jeffrey Stone to create Florida Trade Academy. The triad of co-founders, with Pello as the CEO, brings a wealth of complementary expertise to the education table.
Chris Pello has over 35 years of experience in athletic directing, non-profit education, and program development. The four Livingstone Academy private schools in Hillsborough County he founded now serve over 400 students in grades K-12 and employ 85 staff members. He and his wife, Bernadette Pello, have also been heavily involved in church leadership and non-profit boards over many years.
Chuck Burgess brings a wealth of experience in non-profit work, successfully reviving ailing programs. He was also an educator earlier in his career. Additionally, Burgess is steeped in community leadership with the local chamber, Rotary Club, and other organizational involvement. His solid relationships with state and local lawmakers and associations, which have come from years of community involvement, would help FTA get traction and eyes on its programs. For example, his connections led to FTA’s sponsor partnership with Steve Cona at Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC Gulf Coast Chapter) and collaboration with CareerSource Florida.
Jeffrey Stone has an impressive track record as an entrepreneur and marketing specialist with over 30 years of experience in business. Currently the CEO/co-founder of Legends Escape Rooms and Game Over Escape Rooms North America, he has co-founded and led several other companies, including Brandon Open MRI and Medical Marketing Consultants.
But, it’s more than 100 years of combined education, non-profit, and business experience that makes the FTA co-founders unique. Their shared dedication to serving their local community and the state of Florida is the true success ingredient of this partnership.
“We’ve worked for and have experienced our own success, and now it’s time to do something of significance to enrich the lives of others,” Pello stated.
Burgess shared similar sentiments. “We’re all dads, each with one son, who share the same passions and energy.” He continued, “What’s better than doing something of significance and meaning with your best friends?”
A Strong Start & A Bright Future
Students range from young adults seeking the skills for their first careers to those pivoting from one professional career to another.
When the FTA team designed the program, they did so with the needs of adult learners in mind, who have busy work schedules, families, and other obligations. While there are some required in-person dates, the trade school’s classes are delivered virtually to complete on one’s own time. Each enrollee receives a tablet to access their courses, and they may visit FTA if they wish to engage in their studies on-site.
FTA’s program costs significantly less than traditional higher education costs: There are many avenues of funding and financing for people to complete the training affordably. Graduates will move forward to “earn while you learn” jobs, where they will finish their apprenticeships and certifications. Expansions to the hospitality and automotive fields are also in FTA’s sights.
“No one else is doing this, and the need is so great for many who don’t see college as their right fit,” Pello stated. He added, “We hope to move people towards high-paying trade careers with little to no student debt and expand FTA’s offerings across the state.” Pello stated.
The FTA staff welcomes those interested to reach out to them to discuss program and financing options.
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Trade School Stats
The number of students entering trade schools has increased by more than 100% over the past five years.
— U.S. Bureau of Labor
There is a shortage of skilled laborers in the United States.
— Society of Human Resources, 2019 report
Approximately 40% of college students drop out before completing their degree, while less than 2% of trade schools don’t complete their programs.
— StrataTech Education Group, 2019 survey
Trade school costs are relatively cheaper than traditional college education as courses can be completed faster.
— Career School Now
Students who attend trade school graduate with an average of $10,000 of debt, has while students who attend college collect an average student debt of $36,327.
— Trent Hamm, Founder of The Simple Dollar
Program-specific trade school graduates have an average entry-level annual salary of over $35,000.
— National Center For Educational Statistics
The average annual wage in vocational tracks in the government is $51,340.
— Applied Educational Systems
