College to receive more than $1.5 million in performance funding to support student and academic success
Miami, August 30, 2021 – Miami Dade College (MDC) once again ranks number one in the Florida College System (FCS) for reporting the most students earning industry certifications during the 2021 state reporting year. The College achieved the top spot for the third time in four years by reporting 1,532 certifications in the areas of technology, nursing, health sciences, justice, and wellness. This is a major accomplishment, considering testing centers were operating at a very limited capacity during the pandemic and some exams were not available.
The more than $1.5 million will be dedicated to increasing the number of students who earn industry certifications by focusing on current and new initiatives, including offering new industry credentials aligned with curriculum. MDC allocates these funds to increase industry certifications and advance other priorities that support student and academic success. Many of the courses aligned with an industry certification include vouchers to take certification exams for free or students receive reimbursement after passing an eligible industry certification exam. In addition, students can also earn credits at MDC if they have active industry certifications that align with courses for Associate in Science and baccalaureate programs.
“We are committed to continue supporting our students to obtain the credentials they need to be successful in the current job market,” said Aneisah V. Castro, Industry Certification Coordinator. “The Industry Certification Workgroup team is very excited with the new certifications that we will be implementing in 2021-22 in the areas of cloud computing, data analysis and programming.”
An industry certification is a credential recognized by business and industry. It is earned through an assessment administered and recognized by an industry third-party or governing board. They are valuable to employers because they measure competency and validate knowledge of skills in a particular industry, giving students an added advantage in a competitive job market.
Over the past four years, Antonio Delgado, former Dean of MDC’s School of Engineering, Technology and Design and now Vice President of Innovation and Technology Partnerships, and Silvio Rodriguez, Director of Assessment, Evaluation, and Testing have led the industry certification initiative at MDC. Their leadership and collaboration with multiple areas have contributed to the College securing more than $5 million in performance funding to support thousands of students in completing their college education.
Learn more about industry certifications offered at MDC at www.mdc.edu/industrycertifications.