Press Release – January 23, 2024
Contact: FDC Communications
OCALA, Fla. — The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) and the Florida Foundation for Correctional Excellence (FFCE) jointly hosted an event to celebrate a new programming partnership with Ring Power Corporation. The event focused on recognizing the generous contribution made by Ring Power towards the Lowell Correctional Institution Heavy Equipment Machinery program. As part of their contribution, Ring Power donated an excavator machine, which will be instrumental in advancing the program.
“Ensuring access to in-demand career and technical training is crucial in fulfilling our commitment to enhance public safety,” said Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Ricky Dixon. “In Florida, inmates who receive proper training and skills to pursue a career are significantly less likely to commit further crimes or victimize others. This joint effort truly underscores the significance of collaboration to improve and advance our Department’s re-entry efforts and fulfill our promise to uphold public safety.”
“When we bring together public and private partners, we can increase our investment in transition programs and workforce training to further expand re-entry efforts,” said Florida Foundation for Correctional Excellence Executive Director Erica Averion. “It was amazing to see how the students who have been working toward their CTE Heavy Equipment Operator credentialing and certificate on a Caterpillar HEO simulator in the classroom use real equipment to gain hands on experience. This contribution & partnership from Ring Power signifies our commitment with FDC to enhance & expand training programs for our returning citizens.”
In August 2023, FDC and FFCE initiated the first phase of the Heavy Equipment Operator program at Lowell Correctional Institution. The program introduced new in-class simulators that enable inmates to acquire experience by using virtual heavy equipment modules in a classroom setting. With the support of Ring Power, the program has been expanded to include real heavy equipment. This allows inmate participants to gain practical, hands-on experience, which complements their coursework.
For more information on the Florida Foundation for Correctional Excellence, visit flcorrectionalexcellence.com.