About STC
Our History
Suncoast Technical College (originally Sarasota County Vocational Technical Institute), and better known as Vo-Tech, first opened its doors in September 1967. Located on the corner of Beneva and Proctor Roads, we offered 13 programs in 6 buildings, to approximately 500 ‘daytime only’ students. Our first class graduated in June 1968. In 1992, Vo-Tech became Sarasota County Technical Institute (SCTI). Progress led to the addition of Sarasota Polytechnical High School on the same campus in 2008 followed by the grand opening of a new state-of-the-art campus at SCTI. In 2014, we became Suncoast Technical College, now known as STC. Three years later, STC celebrated another grand opening. The STC North Port Branch opened in 2017.
Today, STC serves more than 5,000 adult and high school students. We offer day and evening classes in over 30 technical programs as well as Adult Basic Education and Adult and Community Enrichment. High school students can dual enroll in many of our programs.
Suncoast students have an opportunity to enroll in academic programs that include English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), GED® Preparation, and Adult Basic Education (ABE). We also offer extensive Continuing Education Programs.
Our Programs
STC programs are build around Florida State Standards and meet current workforce needs. We offer individualized programs with the following characteristics:
Competencies based on skills and knowledge needed for the workplace
Evaluations based on performance
Varied instructional strategies to support different learning styles
Our Staff
Our Instructors are certified by either the State of Florida's, Department of Education or the School Board of Sarasota County. Instructors who are certified by the local school board are required to have a minimum of three years of experience in their field.
Each of STC's programs maintains an advisory committee with a total participation of over several hundred businesses and community members to ensure that students are well prepared to enter the workforce after graduation. This collaboration fosters numerous partnerships, cooperative agreements, and apprenticeships, and provides a valuable resource for STC graduates.
To contact a specific faculty member, please use our Directory.