Miami, Dec. 3, 2019 – Miami Dade College (MDC) is one of eight Florida colleges and universities recently awarded the Florida Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant, which provides institutions state funds for apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs.
Out of the $7 million in grant awards provided by the State of Florida, MDC was given $533,208 destined to the Career and Technical Education Department (CTE), which houses all of MDC’s apprenticeship programs. Funds will go toward paid internships in MDC educational programs covering professions within the Aviation, Business, Information Technology, and Trade and Logistics industries.
The newly rolled out program aims to help employers to fill skills gaps that exists in certain professions and provides students the opportunity to “earn while you learn,” as well as a path to continuing education and graduation.
“There are many interested in pursuing their education but find it difficult because they must work or there are some students whose completion of degree is extended because they are working, and can only attend school part-time,” said Dr. Alexia Rolle, Director, Career and Technical Education (CTE/Workforce). “This a way to accomplish both. You can earn a salary and be trained in a high demand occupation, at the same time.”
As the first academic institution in Florida to receive the designation of Program Sponsor by the Florida Department of Education, MDC is authorized to register occupations, employers and apprentices to participate in Registered Apprenticeship (RA). RAs combine paid-work and education to help apprentices to achieve knowledge and skills. They include supervision and mentoring, wage progression and classroom instruction; which can lead to college credit and result in a nationally recognized credential.
Other paid apprenticeship programs available at MDC include Accelerated Credentials Training & Skills (MDC ACTS) and Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Program (IRAP).
MDC ACTS is a credit-based program where graduates receive a College Career Certificate and Industry Certification. The program is a co-invested partnership between employers, industry, and MDC modeled after the successful Tesla START-Automotive Service Technology, a strategic partnership of MDC with Tesla. IRAPs are high-quality apprenticeship programs that include a paid-work component and an education component; wherein an individual obtains workplace relevant knowledge that results in an industry recognized credential. IRAPs allow for flexibility in training standards and program length, typically lasting one year.
For more information employers and students interested in the program should contact the Department of Career and Technical Education at cte@mdc.edu