Orange County Fleet Fuels Future Talent at SkillsUSA
Orange County’s Fleet Management Division is helping shape Florida’s next generation of mechanics through hands-on participation in the annual SkillsUSA Florida State Leadership and Skills Competition, recently held in Jacksonville.
The event brings together students from across the state to compete in a variety of trade-related skills, including Automotive Technology, Marine Service and Heavy Equipment Technology.
For the County’s Fleet Division, it is more than just competition. Like many agencies across the country, Fleet Management has faced a shortage of skilled mechanics. In 2024, the division’s vacancy rate for technician positions hovered around 21 percent — a notable improvement from 2022’s 35 percent, but still a challenge. SkillsUSA offers a crucial pipeline to connect with trained, motivated young people entering the workforce.
Along with recruitment from local technical schools, Orange County sees SkillsUSA as an opportunity to get students involved and properly trained in the mechanic trade. The division has even hired former SkillsUSA participants for mechanic and welding positions.
Two of the division’s longtime mechanics, Van Berry and Kesseler Tarver, served as judges for the event and also helped design the competition tests.
Berry, who has been with Orange County Fleet for more than a decade, said his role involves preparing hands-on challenges for competitors. “You ask questions related to brakes — specifications, etc.,” he explained. “I’ll disassemble the truck, and they have to go on it and find the parts.”
Tarver, also a 10-year veteran of the division, emphasized the importance of making the competition engaging and practical. “I like to make things more exciting — make it fun and intriguing to the person you’re teaching, and they’ll want to learn more.”
Both men stressed that judging goes beyond technical know-how. “We look at everything — safety, uniforms, whether they found the right part and figured out what’s wrong with it,” said Berry.
Tarver added, “Safety is the number one priority. We deal with diesel engines, so they tend to be more dangerous. You need to be very aware of your surroundings, dress for safety, wear goggles, etc.”
Participation in SkillsUSA also allows Orange County Fleet to demonstrate its workplace culture to potential recruits. “We’re able to show how we do things here and bring in young talent,” said Tarver. “The flexible schedules and supportive management make it a great place to work.”
Berry echoed that sentiment. “Orange County gives us the utmost respect to do what we do best.”
As Orange County Fleet continues to maintain more than 4,200 vehicles and emergency equipment around the clock, its investment in SkillsUSA is helping ensure the next generation is ready — and trained — to keep the wheels turning.