South Florida Tech HubSouth Florida Tech Hub

By Adam Elitzur

PBC STEM Ecosystem Meeting

Join us for our PBC STEM Ecosystem Meeting on Friday, April 26, 2024 at the Mandel Public Library in West Palm Beach. Be part of the discussion about STEM education and experiences that align with our local STEM industry workforce needs.

The Palm Beach County STEM Learning Ecosystem is a collective impact initiative of private, public, and nonprofit sectors committed to cultivating and sustaining a robust and equitable ecosystem that provides world-class STEM opportunities and experiences for all learners throughout the region.

By Nikki Cabus

Miami Dade College’s Cybersecurity Program and Faculty Recognized Among the Top in the Nation by EC-Council

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Miami Dade College’s (MDC) acclaimed Cybersecurity program and Professor Dr. Diego Tibaquirá were recently recognized by the EC-Council Academia for making a lasting impact on cybersecurity education and student success. 

EC-Council is the leading IT and e-Business certification awarding body and the creator of the world famous Certified Ethical Hacker (#CEH), Computer Hacking Forensics Investigator (CHFI) and Certified Penetration Testing Professional (CPENT)/ Licensed Penetration Tester (Master). The organization has trained over 80,000 individuals and certified more than 30,000 security professionals from such fine organizations as the US Army, the FBI, Microsoft, IBM and the United Nations.

EC-Council’s certifications are recognized worldwide and have received endorsements from various government agencies including the US Federal Government via the GI Bill, National Security Agency (NSA) and the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS). The United States Department of Defense has included the CEH program into its Directive 8570, making it as one of the mandatory standards to be achieved by Computer Network Defenders Service Providers (CND-SP).

The EC-Council Academia division supports K-12, community college and university programs by providing state-of-the-art cybersecurity technologies and opportunities to obtain globally respected industry certifications. Students graduate from these programs with the necessary skills to protect digital assets, helping to address the workforce gap, estimated to be 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity positions in 2025.

Miami Dade College was among only five colleges and universities chosen for the 2023 Academia Circle of Excellence Award from nearly 2,000 higher education institutions across North America. 

The Cybersecurity Center of the Americas at Miami Dade College is transforming cybersecurity education by integrating the advanced hands-on training needed to be a cybersecurity professional. MDC’s comprehensive cybersecurity curriculum includes an Associate in Science, a Bachelor of Science and certifications.

MDC has been designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency (NSA) for Academic Years 2022-2027. These programs are offered through MDC’s School of Engineering and Technology (EnTec).

Dr. Diego Tibaquira, former United States Marine Corps and Professor of Computer Science at MDC’s Padrón Campus has been instrumental in building the cybersecurity and cloud computing curriculum at MDC. He was one of only four recipients of the Academia Instructor Circle of Excellence Award by EC-Council Academia. Dr. Tibaquira was selected from approximately 1,000 EC-Council-partnered institutions in North America. Award recipients are selected based on their impact on teaching, assessment of their instruction, student experiences, leadership and engagement with the cybersecurity community.

“What a great Honor to be selected for the “2023 Academic Instructor Circle of Excellence,” Dr. Tibaquira wrote in a social media post.

“Thank you to all my colleagues at Miami Dade College for their support and EC-Council for this Honor. To my mentors and role models Malou C. Harrison, PhD and Antonio Delgado Fornaguera for continuing to show me how to keep striving to do more for our students and community. To President Madeline Pumariega for her vision and allowing Innovation and ideas to take shape to help our College move forward. To my Deans who provide me with the support (100%) to go and do my job in the best ways possible: Niurka “Niki” Goenaga and Manny Perez.”

He concluded, “To my students who keep taking advantage of each and every opportunity the college brings to keep advancing, growing, progressing, and building our Miami Dade College Community and Community at large.”

MDC is the recipient of many top national awards, including the prestigious Aspen Prize. 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 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.

Learn more about MDC’s Cybersecurity programs, visit www.mdc.edu/cybersecurity/degree-programs.

By Nikki Cabus

Delta Air Lines and LATAM join forces for inaugural job shadowing project empowering youth for success

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Delta Air Lines and LATAM Airlines Group united to extend thier inaugural Job Shadow Day at Miami International Airport.

Twenty-five students from the New World School of the Arts located in downtown Miami were given the opportunity to walk through a “day in the life” through a transformative experience including simulated real-world exercises where volunteers introduced them to career opportunities in aviation.

Through the Joint Venture between Delta and LATAM group, the global airlines seamlessly collaborate both in the skies and on the ground, inspiring the next generation of talented individuals who will shape the future. Delta and LATAM reinforce a shared vision for a brighter and more interconnected future, where the collective efforts of these influential airlines contribute to positive and lasting impacts on a global scale.

Since implementing their transformative partnership in 2022, the award-winning airlines have made travel between North and South America easier and more enjoyable than ever by expanding their route networks, optimizing their flight schedules and airport operations, and offering travelers improved access to 300 destinations on the two continents. This is why Delta and LATAM – like travelers, their loved ones, friends and destinations – complement each other and are “Meant to be Together,” as their new campaign suggests.

“Delta strives to make an impact by building intentional, purposeful partnerships in our communities that help address the hopes and needs of real people and spark meaningful change in the world,” said Luciano Macagno, Delta Managing Director for Latin American, the Caribbean and South Florida.

Educational endeavors such as the Job Shadopw Day play a crucial role in empowering young minds to visualize and pursue fulfilling career trajectories. This initiative not only granted the students invaluable firsthand experience but also provided them with the chance to glean insights from seasoned aviation professionals at Delta and LATAM. The event offered a distinctive behind-the-scenes glimpse into the intricate workings and operations of Miami International Airport, fostering a deepened understanding and connection to the dynamic world of the aviation industry.

Miami International Airport is America’s busiest airport for international freight and the second busiest for international passengers. MIA offers more flights to Latin America and the Caribbean than any other U.S. airport and is also the leading economic engine for Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida with an expansive workforce community of more than 37,000 employees. The airport generates business revenue of $31.9 billion and approximately 60 percent of all international visitors to Florida annually.

“At LATAM Airlines Group we thank our partner Delta for the invitation to participate in this Job Shadow experience,” said Gonzalo Ramírez, North America & Caribbean Airports Senior Manager LATAM Group.

“We are constantly looking to connect with the communities where we operate, so we are excited to connect with young people who will be the future professionals of the industry. At the same time, as the leading airline group in South America, we want them to know that the prospects for development in the sector are international, which adds to the attractiveness of pursuing a career in this field.”

Delta Air Lines and LATAM Airlines Group partnered with Junior Achievemt of Greater Miami on this initiaitive. Each day, JA MIami works to help young people discover what’s possible in their lives. The nonprofit does this by helping them connect what they learn in school with life outside the classroom. JA Miami strives to let students know it’s possible to invest in their future, to gain a better understanding of how the world works, and to pursue their dreams.

JA Miami is dedicated to giving young people in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their futures, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers and educators, and offer relevant, hands-on experiences that provide 40,000 students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship.

“We are thrilled to partner with Delta and LATAM to provide students with this unique JA Job Shadow experience,” said Mariana Furchi Sly, Executive Vice President, Junior Achievement of Greater Miami. “Many of these students have never been to the airport and aren’t aware that so many job opportunities exist. This program helps show them possibilities for their futures.”

In addition to supporting the JA Job Shadow program, Delta sponsored 80 high school students’ participation in the JA Stock Market Challenge in October 2023, and facilitated travel for a team of high school students from Coral Gables Senior High to attend a national competition last summer in Washington, D.C. As part of Delta’s work to fuel a diverse aviation talent pipeline and build an organization that is reflective of the communities where we live, work and serve, Delta prioritizes partnerships that enable young aviators and students to envision their own future in the industry.

“It was truly inspiring to witness the curiosity and enthusiasm of the students as they delved into the details of the aviation industry and explored the diverse array of roles within our organizations. From witnessing ground operations in action to gaining insights into the complexities of flying, the students embarked on a fascinating journey of discovery,” shared Ignacio Borbollo, Delta Head of Sales, Market Development & Community Partnerships – Regional Manager, South Florida

“As a proud member of the JA Young Professional board, I was thrilled to play a part in providing these young minds with a firsthand glimpse into the dynamic world of travel and aviation. It’s moments like these that ignite passion and spark ambition in the next generation of leaders.”

In addition to this project, Delta has connected with students around the world through its many partnerships and programs – such as Delta Business Class, Delta’s Propel Academy, Delta’s WING Flight, HBCU engagement, the Aviation Maintenance Airframe Certificate Program and more.

To learn more about Delta’s Student & Earl Careers Programs, visit www.delta.com/us/en/careers/students-and-early-careers

By Nikki Cabus

2000 Students Attend the Annual ‘Claim Your Future Showcase’ in Palm Beach and Broward Counties

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On January 30th and 31st, almost 2000 high school students in both Palm Beach and Broward counties hosted events allowing for a day of career exploration.

An ecominic development and career readiness initiative, the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, CareerSource Palm Beach, and the Palm Beach and Broward County school distrcits hosted events in their respective counties to showcase career opportunities to high school students. Companies were invited to participate as exhitors, speakers, mock interview volunteers, and more.

The “Claim Your Future Showcase,” was started by The Business Development Board of Palm Beach County and and then Broward County got in on the action hopsting their own as well. Each year, the goal of the events are to inspire and showcase the many career paths available to local high school students from the School District of Palm Beach County and Broward County in hopes that the students stay in South Florida after graduation. It’s a day for businesses to shine a light on their industries and for students to take another step toward their future careers.

In Palm Beach County, almost 1200 students had the opportunity to meet with companies such as Amazon, Bank of America, Cox Science Center, Discover the Palm Beaches, ESPN West Palm, Farm Credit, Finfrock, Florida Crystals, Florida Power & Light, HCA Healthcare, HotelPlanner, Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, Keiser University, Kravis Center for Performing Arts, Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Memorial Healthcare System, Nova Southeastern University, Oxbow Carbon, , Palm Beach County Planning, Zoning & Building, Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa, Palm Beach State College, PBC STEM Ecosystem, Port of Palm Beach, Regions Bank, School District of Palm Beach County, The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, Tropical Shipping, U.S. Army, Wells Fargo and many others.

In Broward County, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, in partnership with Broward County Public Schools, hosted the 7th annual Claim Your Future Showcase. The Broward event offered workforce preparation and business exposure to nearly 1,000 students from Career and Technical Education programs awaiting them in our community.

One of those companies was LAN InfoTech, a professional information technology consulting and engineering firm specializing in cybersecurity. Glen Benjamin, LAN InfoTech’s Community Account Manager and South Florida Tech Hub Board Member attended the event as an exhibitor.

Glen is a huge advocate in the community supporting talent and workforce development efforts and STEAM events for students all acros the South Florida region. Creating a proper pipeline of talent and then ensuring they are aware of the opportunities locally are crucial to building a strong and thriving ecosystem for years to come.

The day was filled with workforce development activities, including mock interviews, an executive panel discussion, and a showcase of local businesses. The sponsors that made this possible were: Advanced Roofing, the City of Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, Memorial Healthcare System, Amerant Bank Arena, and Delaware North.

“Investing in our future is important. These are the future leaders of our community,” said Ft. Lauderdale City Manager, Greg Chevarria.

The panelists included:

  • Greg Chavarria | City Manager for Fort Lauderdale
  • Andrew Zullo | CEO of Leadership Broward
  • Barkha Herman, Technology CEO and non-profit founder
  • Cathy Miron | President and CEO of eSilo
  • Bryce Hollweg | COO of Florida Panthers
  • Bob Swindell | President and CEO of Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance

“Events like these have a profound impact on students, especially young women, many of whom are interested in careers in tech, but aren’t sure how to get started or who worry they don’t “fit the mold,” said Cathy Miron, CEO of eSilo and Tech Hub Board Member.

“There are plenty of local women blazing new trails across South Florida and I hope that our stories inspire the next generation of women engineers, developers, cyber analysts, and project managers,” she continued.

Students not only have the chance to meet with local employers, but they have the chance to practice networking and communication skills, apply for internships, and hear from local experts on the benefits of staying local, the business economy we have in South Florida, and some of the exciting work being done right in their backyard!

 

By Nikki Cabus

Henry Mack appointed as The Southern Group’s education lobbyist and lead consultant

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Florida’s largest lobbying firm, The Southern Group, has hired Henry Mack as an education lobbyist and lead consultant.

The lobbying firm is growing once again offering additional advisory and consulting services in the education sector. Mack, former Florida Department of Education Senior Chancellor, will help lead a full-service consulting practice that will advise clients on a wide array of areas in the education space, focusing on workforce development and higher education.

Henry Mack is joining The Southern Group after a distinguished career in higher education, including serving as the Senior Chancellor at the Florida Department of Education (DOE). Henry brings a wealth of experience in a wide range of areas in the education segment, particularly workforce education and economic development.

As Senior Chancellor at DOE, he was responsible for Florida’s public and nonpublic institutions of higher education—overseeing a $3 billion dollar budget with a combined K-20 student enrollment of $1.5 million annually. He led the Divisions of Florida Colleges, Career and Adult Education, Vocational Rehabilitation, Blind Services, the Florida Department of Education’s Office of Workforce Education and Economic Alignment, and the Commission for Independent Education. Additional responsibilities included  apprenticeships, disability education, employment services and economic development initiatives.

He was directly responsible for the State of Florida’s workforce education strategy, budget, operations, policy and finance, and, together with the Governor’s Office, responsible for all higher education and workforce education legislative and policy priorities. Henry was also responsible for grants and administration such as the $6.2 million in cybersecurity funding received by three South Florida colleges. He was involved in countless others for the state of Florida.

Prior to his appointment at DOE,  Henry served as the Chancellor for the Division of Career and Adult Education. The Division itself is accountable for all career and technical education programs and activity across a system of 48 technical centers and colleges, 28 state community colleges, and K-12 public schools, with a combined enrollment of over 1 million students, annually.

Henry has also held various positions throughout Florida’s higher education system holding multiple faculty positions at Florida International University, University of Miami, and Broward College. At Broward College, Henry served as a Vice President for Workforce Education and Innovation at one of our nation’s largest colleges. He oversaw the college’s career and technical education programs, the development of new baccalaureate degrees, and the college’s business incubator and accelerator.

Recognized as 2019’s South Florida’s 40 under 40, Henry frequently lectures on the future of the workforce, entrepreneurship, and the value of a higher education.

Sheela VanHoose, Education Lobbyist and Partner with The Southern Group-Florida stated, “I’m excited about the continued growth of our education practice and what that means for our clients. No one has the knowledge of the CTE and workforce education space like Henry Mack!”

Sheela VanHoose is also South Florida Tech Hub’s Policy Committee Chair and K-12 Talent Sub-Committee Chair. She recently had Mr. Mack attend a Tech Talent Committee meeting as a guest speaker to address the topic of workforce education, certifications and CTE, and give any updates from the DOE.

A couple of those updates from Henry were:

  • The DOE recently contracted with the University of Florida to do a study on sequencing for certifications with a likelihood of students earning CompTIA certs in high school, enrolling in further education, and using that certification to do accelerated courses.
  • Cap has been removed for using tools at the middle school level allowing schools to be funded at no limit. The DOE is looking at what tools can be used at the middle school level and everyone is looking for new certifications to be added, particularly in artificial intelligence. FL SB240 allocates money that has to be tied to furthering careers within education and cannot be for a new building.
  • Students may be harmed by the Standard Occupational Classification, or “SOC” codes, not being well outlined. SOC codes and certifications should have been coordinated with the higher paying jobs. Choose SOC codes wisely and don’t do too many. Two exams for AI certification are already out there including a pathway and a template.

Henry earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in theology and philosophy from the Catholic University of America and doctorate in education administration and philosophy of education from the University of Miami. Henry currently lives in Tallahassee with his wife, Ashley, and three children, Hadley, Holden, and Arden.

By Nikki Cabus

In partnership with the BDB, CareerSource Palm Beach County is named Workforce Employer of the Year 2023

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The National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) recently announced that CareerSource Palm Beach County has been named the 2023 Workforce Employer of the Year. 

NAWDP provides education, resources, and certification credibility to individuals seeking to thrive as thought leaders and innovators in the workforce development industry. As the leading advocate for workforce development professionals, NAWDP builds relationships and connections with other industry-leading organizations to challenge and collaborate for the advancement of the industry. The NAWDP is the heartbeat of workforce development.

“The Workforce Employer of the Year award recognizes a private-sector employer or employer consortium who partners and collaborates with their local workforce partners to create a positive impact in their local area,” said Melissa Robbins, NAWDP’s Chief Executive Officer. “CareerSource Palm Beach County has developed a lucrative partnership with the Palm Beach County Business Development Board that has increased the opportunities for jobseekers and businesses in the community.”

CareerSource Palm Beach County is the nonprofit organization chartered by the state to lead workforce development in Palm Beach County. During the past five program years, CareerSource Palm Beach County assisted nearly 45,000 residents find employment/reemployment ranging from entry-level to executive suite, with salaries from these jobs creating $700 million in annual wages. CareerSource also awarded $14.7 million in grants to area businesses and employees for job training and educational assistance during that time.

The two organizations work in partnership using comprehensive labor market information/analysis, job candidate sourcing, training grants, and placement support to attract, retain, and help businesses expand.

CareerSource Palm Beach County and the Business Development Board have convened/facilitated various collaborative programs in the Glades communities, including providing $1.7 million in grants to local employers and residents for training and educational assistance over the past 5 years. This, along with comprehensive job placement, hiring, and recruiting services provided by CareerSource Palm Beach County’s Belle Glade career center, has helped to significantly reduce area unemployment.

One effort of the partnership includes the recruitment of FinFrock, a major precast concrete manufacturer, to Belle Glade. This project will create more than 200 jobs with salaries starting at $19/hour with fully paid medical benefits. It is projected to bring a $242 million economic impact to the Glades communities.

The partnership has been fruitful with new industry data showing Palm Beach County as home to 463 corporate, subsidiary and regional offices, 2,897 financial services and hedge funds, 1,628 aviation/aerospace/engineering companies, 2,189 infotech companies, 5,496 healthcare companies, 682 distribution and logistics centers, and 1,424 manufacturing companies.

“We are incredibly pleased and proud that our achievements arising from our partnership with the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County have been nationally recognized with this award,” said Julia Dattolo, President and CEO of CareerSource Palm Beach County. “Our partnership has created a much more diversified, high-quality employer base, making our economy more resilient – and contributing to record low unemployment rates for more than a year.”

This is the second national award CareerSource Palm Beach County has recently received. The National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) presented their national Trailblazer Award to CareerSource PBC in 2021. The award recognizes a workforce board that has been a leader in developing comprehensive workforce solutions for its communities.

In addition to today’s award, the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County received nearly 10 national, state and local awards since 2022. The BDB also is one of only 66 in the world to be an Accredited Economic Development Board and has been internationally recognized in the past for marketing strategies and programs.

The Business Development Board of Palm Beach County is the official public/private economic development organization for Palm Beach County.  Founded in 1982 as a not-for-profit corporation, our primary purpose is to attract and retain new industry, business investment, high quality jobs and workforce development through corporate relocations, expansions and international trade. During the past five years, the BDB has assisted companies that have created more than 12,822 direct jobs with average salaries greater than $69,062, resulting in more than $777 million in capital investment to Palm Beach County and an economic impact that exceeds $6.87 billion.

“CareerSource Palm Beach County has been an impactful partner of the Business Development Board’s economic development efforts and it’s an honor to receive this prestigious award together. This partnership will continue to stimulate economic energy and enrich the vitality of Palm Beach County as more corporate citizens relocate to and expand in the Palm Beaches,” said Kelly Smallridge, President and CEO of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County (BDB).

PBC STEM Ecosystem Meeting
Miami Dade College’s Cybersecurity Program and Faculty Recognized Among the Top in the Nation by EC-Council
Delta Air Lines and LATAM join forces for inaugural job shadowing project empowering youth for success
2000 Students Attend the Annual ‘Claim Your Future Showcase’ in Palm Beach and Broward Counties
Henry Mack appointed as The Southern Group’s education lobbyist and lead consultant
In partnership with the BDB, CareerSource Palm Beach County is named Workforce Employer of the Year 2023