Dr. Garth A. Rose

U.S. Congressman Alcee Hastings addressing the academic staff and students of the Fort Lauderdale Campus of Fast Train College, a Florida career college on Tuesday, exalted the value of these colleges to education and career opportunities in the U.S.

The Florida congressman said he did not agree with the stance that some of his fellow congressman were taking against these colleges -- a stance which cast them in a dubious light. He said not every high school graduate was qualified to enter a two or four year college, so accredited career colleges like Fast Train provided a valuable service for training young Americans in practical careers such as healthcare and information technology.

Hastings said that of the almost 200,000 students are registered in career colleges across the nation. Most of these students, 76 percent, were self-supported or from low income families; single mothers raising children, 47 percent, and 26 percent were over the age of 35, still seeking formalized careers. He also stated incidences where some graduates of career colleges were able to find gainful employment more easily than graduates of colleges of traditional tertiary institutions.

Hastings made reference to a young man contracted to the offices of the U.S. Congress who made some $400,000 annually by repairing computers in the congressional offices. He remarked that the young man was making more than twice his own salary.

The congressman urged students to focus on completing their education, as it is the best tool to improve themselves during “this relentless economic climate,” which he said could get worse. He also said that the poor economy was attributable to America’s lack of focus on manufacturing, with the country importing goods it once manufactured.

The Fast Train College has seven campuses in Florida. Besides the Fort Lauderdale campus, others are located in Clearwater, Jacksonville, Kendall, Miami, Pembroke Pines and Tampa.

The college offers courses in the computer sciences, including computer repair technician, network engineer, network security analyst and computer assembly.  Courses in healthcare include medical billing and coding, medical assistant, medical office management and pharmacy assistant.

FastTrain is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) to award diplomas. Students are eligible for federal government Pell grants.