Miami, March 4, 2024 – Miami Dade College’s (MDC) Construction Pre-apprenticeship Program continues growing. Most recently, the program welcomed City of North Miami Beach (NMB) Water Department as a new employer partner. Addressing an urgent labor shortage, NMB Water is training and hiring electrician and plumber pre-apprentices in a 12-month program that blends classroom instruction with paid on-the-job training for workers with little to no experience. Class instruction is held at MDC’s North Campus.
“So many synergies exist between Miami Dade College and the City of North Miami Beach, said MDC Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Malou C. Harrison. “Together, we’re doing our part to build a stronger, more sustainable community through this unique ‘learn and earn’ workforce development partnership.”
The program provides on-the-job training, related technical instruction, mentorship, guaranteed wages and a nationally recognized credential upon program completion. With support from CareerSource South Florida, as well as state and federal grants, the program offers free tuition, health insurance, books and work tools. In turn, participating employers are able to attract and retain highly qualified talent to meet their workforce needs.
“NMB Water looks forward to the new partnership between our utility and Miami Dade College. As the second largest utility department in Miami-Dade County, NMB Water is always looking for ways to work closely with the communities we serve. It is our goal to fill available positions from the local workforce and offer competitive wages and long-term career opportunities,” Andrea Suárez Abastida, director of NMB Water, said during a special agreement signing ceremony.
MDC is Florida’s first academic institution to receive the designation of Program Sponsor from the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) and was named Apprenticeship Ambassador by the U.S. Department of Labor. Since its inception, the MDC Apprenticeship Program has grown significantly and is an increasingly popular career pathway for job-seekers and employers. The College currently sponsors 21 Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-apprenticeship programs in Advanced Manufacturing, Automotive, Aviation, Business, Education, Finance, Health Sciences, Hospitality, Information Technology, and Logistics and Transportation.
“At Miami Dade College, we pride ourselves on expanding economic opportunities to our South Florida community through innovative educational and workforce development models,” said Dr. Alexia Q. Rolle, dean of Career and Technical Education and chair of the MDC Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship Programs. “Our Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship Programs build on this vision. The Construction Pre-Apprenticeship, focusing on carpentry, electrical, HVAC and plumbing, secures a talent pipeline and increases organizational productivity for these in-demand occupations.”
About MDC’s Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Offering 21 occupations, MDC has more Registered Apprenticeship Programs than any other educational institution in the State of Florida. As a Program Sponsor, MDC is authorized to register occupations, employers and apprentices to participate in Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship Programs. Apprenticeship Programs enable employers to develop and apply industry standards to training programs for registered apprentices that can increase productivity and improve workforce quality. Apprentices who complete a registered apprenticeship program are accepted by the industry as Masters in their field. For more information, visit https://www.mdc.edu/apprenticeships, or email preapprenticeships@mdc.edu.
About NMB Water
NMB Water provides reliable, high-quality water to more than 175,000 customers while protecting and preserving the environment for future generations. The utility’s treatment process ensures that NMB water exceeds all drinking water standards set by Federal and State regulators, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). The regional utility currently serves customers in northern Miami-Dade County including North Miami Beach, Miami Gardens, Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Golden Beach and portions of unincorporated Miami-Dade County. Owned by the City of North Miami Beach, NMB Water is overseen by a seven-member Public Utilities Commission, which acts as an advisory committee to the mayor and commission. For more information, visit www.citynmb.com/175/NMB-Water.
About CareerSource South Florida
CareerSource South Florida is a public-private partnership that establishes state and federally funded workforce development and training policies for Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. CareerSource South Florida provides high quality, customized employment and training solutions to workers and employers in support of economic development. Services are available to everyone at no cost through a network of centers located throughout the region. Learn more about CareerSource South Florida, including valuable resources for businesses and job seekers at www.careersourcesfl.com or call 305-594-7615.
About Miami Dade College
Miami Dade College (MDC) is the most diverse institution in the nation, with 167 nations and 63 languages represented in its student body. The college’s eight campuses and outreach centers offer over 300 distinct degree pathways, including associate and baccalaureate degrees, certifications and apprenticeships. MDC is the recipient of many top national awards, including the prestigious Aspen Prize. The College changes lives through accessible, high-quality teaching and learning experiences. It is home to the Miami Culinary Institute, the Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex, the Miami Fashion Institute, The Idea Center, the Cybersecurity Center of the Americas, two AI Centers, the Center for Learning, Innovation and Simulation at the Medical Campus, the Business Innovation & Technology Center, the School for Advanced Studies and New World School of the Arts, among others. MDC has been recognized among the nation’s “Great Colleges to Work For” since the program’s inception. The College serves as an economic, cultural and civic leader for the advancement of our diverse global community. MDC alumni and employees contribute more than $3 billion annually to the local economy, and graduates occupy top leadership positions in every major industry. MDC’s renowned rich cultural programming includes the Miami Book Fair, Miami Film Festival, the National Historic Landmark Miami Freedom Tower, Koubek Center Mansion and Gardens, Live Arts Miami at MDC, the Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Florida Moving Image Archives, and the Museum of Art and Design. MDC has admitted more than 2.5 million students and counting, since it opened its doors in 1960. Approximately 120,000 students are currently enrolled. For more information, visit www.mdc.edu.