MTI is now Manatee Technical College!

Manatee Technical Institute is now Manatee Technical College.  The name change passed unanimously as a consent agenda item at the December 9, 2014, School Board meeting.  As soon as it passed, Board Member Mary Cantrell asked everyone in the audience representing Manatee Technical College to stand.  As members of the school’s administration, Board of Governors, Alumni Association and Foundation stood, the room filled with applause.

Manatee Technical College joins 15 other former technical institutes in Florida that have recently changed their name to technical college.  Doug Wagner, director of the college and Adult Career and Technical Education for the District said, “Changing our name to technical college will lend greater credibility, higher value, and improved image of our graduates to our employers and others in the community.”

This is the fourth name change for Manatee Technical College over the past 51 years.  The school has evolved from Manatee Vocational and Technical Center (MVTC) in 1963 to Manatee Area Vocational Technical Center (MAVTC) in 1965.   The tech center became Manatee Technical Institute (MTI) in 1997.  Now we are excited to be known as Manatee Technical College (MTC).

The timing of the name change coincides with the school’s open house and job fair set for Wednesday, December 10 from 3 to 7 p.m.  The event is free and everyone is welcome.