Brevard Public Schools Cuts Ribbon on New Diesel Tech Program at Eau Gallie High School
By Space Coast Daily // November 7, 2025
Eau Gallie High’s New Diesel Technology Program Gives Brevard Students a Head Start in High-Wage Careers
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA — Faculty, students, and industry partners gathered at Eau Gallie High School last week to mark the launch of a dynamic new career-training pathway with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting as Brevard Public Schools officially opened its Diesel Technology Career & Technical Education program — a bold step toward bridging education and industry in Florida’s workforce.
The program — introduced by the district at Eau Gallie High — equips students with hands-on training on state-of-the-art equipment from Consulab and a curriculum aligned with the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) requirements.
Students now study diagnosis and repair of diesel engines, truck brakes, drive-trains, and electrical systems — all crucial skills in industries ranging from transportation to agriculture.
Eau Gallie High Principal Keith Barton, whose school already offers a strong set of CTE programs including automotive and marine mechanics, hailed the new Diesel Technology track as a “career launchpad for students who want to jump into a high-demand field without waiting for college.”
What makes the program especially powerful is the ties to industry. Local firms such as Ring Power — a longtime Cat dealer and training center partner — and East Coast Diesel have committed to offering internships and job placements to students in the program.
These partnerships mean that the classroom doesn’t stop at theory — students will get real-world exposure before they graduate.
Ring Power’s apprenticeship and “earn-while-you-learn” models illustrate the career pathways available to students entering this diesel-technology pipeline.
Florida’s infrastructure — from shipping and marine systems to heavy trucks and agriculture — depends heavily on diesel-powered equipment. But industry reports show that the pool of skilled diesel technicians is tightening.
By building this pathway at the high school level, the school district aims to expand students’ opportunities and meet regional workforce needs. As Brevard’s announcement put it: “This program equips students … preparing them for high-demand, high-wage careers that keep Florida’s economy moving.”
In the lab, students are already turning wrenches.
“We’re not just reading textbooks — we’re getting in there and doing actual diagnostics,” one student-trainee said during the ribbon-cutting event.
Students are on track to graduate not just with a diploma, but with tangible, job-ready skills. In the words of one instructor: “We’re launching futures — one diesel engine at a time.”
