The College commemorates this achievement during the 9th annual National Apprenticeship Week
Miami, Nov. 13, 2023 – During National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), Nov. 13 – 19, Miami Dade College (MDC) celebrates its 5th anniversary, serving as Florida’s first academic institution to receive the designation of Program Sponsor by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) and named Apprenticeship Ambassador by the United States 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 20 Registered Apprenticeship Programs including both apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships in the following industries: Automotive, Aviation, Construction, Business, Education, Finance, Health Science, Hospitality, HVAC, Information Technology, Logistics and Transportation, and Nursing. Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-apprenticeship Programs blend classroom instruction with paid on-the-job training.
Apprenticeships utilize the ‘learn as you earn’ model, providing on-the-job training, related technical instruction, guaranteed wages and nationally recognized credentials. With support from CareerSource South Florida, the programs offer free tuition, health insurance, books and work tools. In turn, these program incentives allow employers to attract and retain highly qualified employees to meet their workforce needs.
“Apprenticeships present a significant value-added opportunity for students to learn and earn concurrently.” We extend an open invitation for employers to consider partnering with MDC to expand these viable work-based training opportunities to eligible residents of our community,” said MDC’s Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Malou C. Harrison.
Offering 20 occupations, MDC has the highest number of 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.
“As an inaugural Program Sponsor of Apprenticeships, we congratulate our students, community partners and employers on their commitment to this learning and economic model,” said Dr. Alexia Q. Rolle, dean of Career and Technical Education and Chair of the MDC Apprenticeship Program at MDC. “We continue to build on the tremendous legacy of being ‘Democracy’s College’ with expanded opportunity for all through apprenticeship career opportunities.”
“In the past five years, our partnership with Miami Dade College has been a remarkable example of the transformative power of collaboration,” said Rick Beasley, Executive Director of CareerSource South Florida. “Apprenticeship programs not only provide students with invaluable industry experiences that can redefine their career trajectories, but also play a crucial role in assisting our businesses recruit and retain talent.”
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.
For more information on CareerSource South Florida, including valuable resources for businesses and job seekers, please visit 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 100,000 students are currently enrolled. For more information, visit www.mdc.edu.
For more information, visit https://www.mdc.edu/apprenticeships/, or email apprenticeship@mdc.edu.