July 2018
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Valencia College Partners with YouthBuild to Help High School Dropouts Earn Their Diplomas

Miami Dade College Students Win Coveted Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarships

11-Year-Old Graduates from St. Petersburg College 
Message from Chancellor Madeline Pumariega
Looking forward to 2030, the gap between jobs and the workers needed to fill those jobs will widen as a result of economic shifts in Florida. To close the gap, there is an urgent and growing need for talent to keep Florida's edge on talent. The Florida College System (FCS) is the pathway to social and economic mobility through our affordable and accessible educational and training programs. We are a top producer of talent for the state, graduating more than 114,000 students every year. Our offerings ensure that students have pathways to employment through short-term training programs, as well as pathways to a baccalaureate degree at one of our institutions or at one of our state universities.
 
According to a recent  Wall Street Journal article , major technology companies are increasingly turning to community colleges for talent development to fill worker shortages in areas such as cybersecurity, cloud computing, computer programming, data science, technology support and skilled manufacturing. For the employer, community colleges have a lot to offer; our colleges are deeply embedded in our communities, respond rapidly to employer needs and provide students with technical skills relevant to their trade. For the worker, the community college pathway offers a low-cost option for up-skilling that is often enhanced through on-the-job training such as internships and apprenticeships.
 
Students seeking a pathway to the baccalaureate degree need look no further than Florida's longstanding 2+2 articulation policy. Business and management, health sciences, life sciences and engineering are the top programs in which FCS completers enroll once they transition to one of our state universities. Once they arrive, FCS completer GPAs are comparable to native university student GPAs, which are 3.2; the GPA of FCS Associate in Science transfers is 3.2 and FCS Associate in Arts transfers is 3.0. Seventy-six (76) percent of FCS transfers graduate from one our state universities without excess hours compared to 68 percent of state university system first-time-in-college students. 
 
The Florida College System plays an integral role in the talent ecosystem across local communities in our state. To meet the demand for workers in the global economy, it is imperative we expand and deepen collaboration with business and industry to remain responsive to needs. In doing so, we must also create pathways for Floridians to enter the workforce with the requisite knowledge and skills needed to be successful and adaptable. Our workforce education certificate, associate and baccalaureate degree programs ensure we are responding to employers' needs while also providing students with an opportunity for career advancement and access to good paying jobs. I am confident our colleges are equipped to prepare for this continued growth and ensure that Florida remains successful, whether our graduates enter the workforce directly or continue their education in a baccalaureate degree program.

With great appreciation,


Madeline Pumariega 
Chancellor

Florida Apprenticeship Grant Program 
To meet the increasing demands of employers throughout the state, Florida College System (FCS) institutions are continuing to expand the number of apprenticeship programs offered to teach students the advanced skills needed in the workforce without accumulating a high amount of debt. In response to this need, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) awarded a five-year $5 million Florida Apprenticeship Grant in 2015 to Broward College, Florida State College at Jacksonville and St. Petersburg College to establish apprenticeship programs that benefits both employers and employees, with special efforts focused on veterans, their eligible spouses, minorities and females.

The program aims to fill jobs in manufacturing, information technology, healthcare, and construction and trades to close the employment gap faced by high growth industries in Florida. The grant promotes growth and expansion of quality, sustainable and innovative apprenticeship programs, serving 1,000 new apprentices through structured training programs that combine both on-the-job training with related classroom instruction.

All three institutions partner with various organizations throughout the state, helping workers obtain the critical on-the-job training needed to strengthen the American workforce and growing economy. The biggest skill gaps identified by employers include technical skills and soft skills, such as work ethic, communication and leadership, according to a needs analysis.

As stated by the DOL, apprentices have grown by 42 percent nationally since 2013. In 2017, more than 190,000 individuals nationwide have entered the apprenticeship system and 64,000 participants graduated. In 2016-17, 11 FCS institutions had students enrolled in apprenticeship programs, totaling more than 2,600 students. The average wage in 2016-17 of students who completed an apprenticeship program in 2015-16 was $48,096. Higher wages earned is just one of many benefits of apprenticeships for Florida's workforce. 

Left to right: Chancellor Madeline Pumariega, Miami Dade College Vice Provost of Academic Schools John Wensveen, Florida State College at Jacksonville Apprenticeship Manager Melanie Ferren, St. Petersburg College Apprenticeship Coordinator Susan Biszewski-Eber, Broward College Apprenticeship Coordinator Mildred Coyne.
Florida is focused on attracting more women and students of color to enroll in apprenticeship programs, as well as diversify the types of programs offered. At a recent CareerSource Apprenticeship Florida Summit, Chancellor Madeline Pumariega joined business and education leaders to discuss how Florida's colleges are facilitating the creation of meaningful talent solutions to support business attraction, retention and expansion in their communities by creating and expanding registered apprenticeships, a proven career pathway model aligned to key sectors.

FCS institutions will continue working alongside industry leaders and focus on expanding job-related and work-study opportunities through a variety of credential programs, such as those listed above, as well as  industry certifications and career certificates, to better prepare students for the evolving demands of a globally competitive workforce.

Florida Student Success Center Supports Florida's 28 Community and State Colleges 
The Florida Student Success Center, a Florida College System (FCS) initiative funded by Helios Education Foundation, is partnering with Jobs for the Future (JFF) to support Florida's 28 state and community colleges' efforts to develop student-centered pathways and increase student completion rates. Through the Florida Student Success Center's work, colleges across the state can learn from - and build on - outstanding work and best practices at their neighboring and peer institutions.

Left to right: Jobs for the Future President and CEO Maria Flynn, Chancellor Madeline Pumariega, Jobs for the Future Vice President Michael Collins.
At a recent Postsecondary State Network Meeting hosted by JFF , Chancellor M a deline Pu mariega and  Fl orida Student Success Center Executive Director Naomi Sleap joined representatives from the Student  Success Center Network and education leaders from across the country to share approaches for connecting guided pathways im plementation efforts with region al and state strategies for economic mobility and growth, showcase innovative state work, and explore strategies for advancing equit y through postsecondary partnerships with adjacent systems that connect to local economies.

As a core focus of the meeting, Executive Director Sleap discussed developing partnerships and connecting transfer pathways between two- and four-year institutions, which is critical to both student success and regional and state competitiveness. FCS institutions have established various articulation agreements with state universities, maintaining the system's mission of open access through providing seamless transfer pathways upon degree completion. The FCS leads the nation in Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree production with more than 57,000 students  receiving their A.A. degrees in 2016-17.

In addition to guided pathways implementation and best practices, other initiatives of the Florida Student Success Center include mathematics pathways re-design and content alignment. To achieve this goal, mathematics and statistics faculty, administrators and key stakeholders were invited to participate in inter-connected workgroups to align mathematics content and pathways that best prepare students for their intended academic and career goals. These workgroups will convene at the Florida Student Success Center's Mathematics Workgroups Kick-Off Convening in September to explore complex issues surrounding mathematics pathways to prepare high school students for transition into FCS institutions and FCS students for transition into four-year universities. The three inter-connected workgroups will collaborate to identify current challenges in mathematics pathways and develop policy and practice recommendations to improve student achievement across education systems.

Each of the above focus areas contributes to the vital work of the state, serving as a resource of evidence-based, innovative practices and timely information for Florida's colleges.
Expanding Apprenticeships to Meet Workforce Demands 
Florida College System (FCS) institutions are working to expand apprenticeships in various industries, providing students with the opportunity to pursue a postsecondary education while working and allowing students to gain hands-on experience employers are seeking. Participating in an apprenticeship program provides students the opportunity to earn while they learn, making it affordable for students to pursue a  higher education and also increases the potential of advancing in a chosen career  path.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), 91 percent of apprentices are employed after completing their program. Most recently, the DOL announced $150 million in grants that will go to higher education institutions, in partnership with national industry associations, to support sector-based approaches to expand apprenticeships on a national scale in key industry sectors. The program is focused on accelerating the expansion of apprenticeships to new industry sectors, as well as increasing apprenticeship opportunities for all Americans, according to the DOL.

Job openings throughout the country require advanced skills. To help fill the more than 6.6 million job openings in the U.S., FCS institutions are working toward developing more apprenticeship programs that will help students learn the essential skills needed when entering the workforce, helping employers meet the increasing demand for skilled workers.

Hillsborough Community College (HCC) is an example of one of 28 FCS institutions who is on the forefront of preparing students to be leaders by providing an advanced set of skills, helping employers meet workforce demands. HCC offers students several apprenticeship training programs, including an Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Apprenticeship Training Program and construction apprenticeship training through the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC).

IEC is a national trade association with thousands of members nationwide and provides electrical apprenticeships at various locations throughout Florida. At HCC, the IEC program offers training for all electric fields through a combination of classroom instruction and on-the-job training. This partnership offers apprenticeships in the fields of residential wireman, commercial/industrial electrician and voice-data-video telecommunications.

ABC is a national management association for the construction industry, which actively promotes the merit shop form of construction. In 2016, Florida added 34,700 construction jobs, which is more than any state, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, construction firms continue to face shortages of skilled workers as the demand continues to rise. At HCC, apprenticeship training programs are offered in the fields of HVAC, electrical, carpentry, sprinkler fitter, sheet metal and plumbing. Upon program completion, students are certified with a journey person employment status.

"The expansions of apprenticeships makes the greatest workforce in the world - the American workforce - even stronger," said United States Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta.

This fall, the DOL will be launching a website tailored toward job seekers and employers, serving as a platform where individuals can find and build apprenticeships.
   
The Florida College System (FCS) maintains partnerships with the State University System so that students can seamlessly transfer into a state university in Florida. In fall 2016, there were more than 124,000 students enrolled in a state university who had transferred from the FCS. The top four program areas of enrollment for FCS transfers are indicated in the table above. Specifically, there were 23,641 FCS transfers enrolled in Business/Management, 13,740 enrolled in Health Sciences, 11,060 enrolled in Life Sciences, and 10,455 enrolled in Engineering baccalaureate programs. These top areas of enrollment identify how FCS transfer students enroll in programs of strategic emphasis that align with current workforce needs. 
Zoya Thomas - Florida State College at Jacksonville  

Zoya Thomas is a student at Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) pursuing an Associate in Science degree in Early Childhood Education Management who inspires other students through her academic work and service to the community. Thomas serves as the vice president of the FSCJ Early Childhood Education Club where she has been present in all club activities, including building the website and participating in various community services. She has been looked up to as a role model by her peers while serving as club vice president. Apart from being an excellent leader in her community, Thomas excels academically, submitting her assignments in a timely manner and going above and beyond what is requested by her professors. Thomas connects content produced for her assignments to the field of early childhood education in a scholarly level, representing the knowledge she has obtained throughout her postsecondary education experience that will help her excel in the workforce. Thomas is expected to graduate this upcoming fall semester.
Faculty and Administrators: Nominate a Student to be the Chancellor's Clark Maxwell Scholar Student of the Month
In honor of the late Chancellor Clark Maxwell Jr., each month a student is selected to represent the Florida College System. Nominations for the Student of the Month are accepted on a rolling basis. If you know a student who demonstrates exemplary leadership skills, academic success, and/or commitment to community service through their involvement in the Florida College System, nominate them today!
Miami Dade College and Cyberbit Announce New Cyber Range 
Miami Dade College (MDC) has partnered with Cyberbit, the leading provider of hyper-realistic cyber range platforms, to open the unique MDC Cyber Range, powered by Cyberbit Range technology. The Cyber Range will be housed within MDC's new state-of-the-art Miami Cybersecurity Center , launching this fall, and will serve as an executive training center for both students and professionals.

At MDC's Miami Cybersecurity Center, trainees will experience a true security operations center environment where they will detect and neutralize cyberattacks in real-time, create incident response plans, and gain valuable skills and experience to advance their cybersecurity careers. This training will provide students a competitive advantage as they enter the workforce, as well as help working professionals attain career-advancing opportunities.

As the importance of cybersecurity continues to increase globally, MDC's Cybersecurity Center will not only provide training programs such as the Cyber Range, but will also serve the community through hosting dynamic forums, speakers and other events that increase awareness of threats and provide educational opportunities for attendees.

With recent studies noting that a cyberattack occurs around the globe every 39 seconds, MDC is focused on growing cybersecurity competency in Florida and helping fill the need for cybersecurity professionals both in the region and nationwide. MDC's new Cyber Range will support this initiative by expanding cyber education available to students, preparing them for careers in one of the country's fastest growing technical professions. Students will receive hands-on training, certification and assessment for commercials and public-sector organizations throughout the state.

"The MDC Cyber Range will be the most advanced cybersecurity training and education center in Florida," said MDC Dean of Engineering, Technology and Design Antonio Delgado. "It will produce highly qualified graduates who will fill critically needed cybersecurity positions and create more employment opportunities for MDC students."

"With its innovative, mission-oriented approach, MDC is on track to becoming Florida's cybersecurity hub," said Cyberbit CEO Adi Dar.