Miami Dade College looks to fill area employment gaps

Miami Dade College is focused on a holistic approach to the year. “Our outlook is being able to step up with the necessary talent and to meet the momentum of the community’s technology, startups, internships and high-paying jobs,” said Madeline Pumariega, college president.

In the new year, the college is concentrating on healthcare and making sure it is working with hospital partners and helping with the nursing shortage, according to Ms. Pumariega. The Florida Hospital Association reported that by 2035 there would be a statewide shortage of 58,000 nurses.

“Whether it is teaching, health care or technology, our focus is on how we meet needs to connect students to the workforce,” she said.

During the omicron covid spike, Miami-Dade Public Schools reported 2,300 teachers absent after winter break, and 1,900 absent on Jan. 11, according to Superintendent Alberto Carvalho. The college is working to connect future teachers to the classrooms, “pandemic or not,” as Miami-Dade Public Schools are partnering with local colleges for up to 100 student interns.

“We’re also working with our school district and opportunities for pathways from middle school to high school to college, encouraging dual enrollment and earning certifications. It shows families early access to college,” Ms. Pumariega said. A goal is to help families be able to afford higher education, and students who are supporting a family make it to graduation.

Half of MDC’s students are the first in their family to go to college. “One of the challenges we’ll always face in students we serve is diversity, both culturally and economically,” the president said. More than 50% of students require some type of financial aid, according to Ms. Pumariega. “We are trying to get students to the finish line. Our holistic supports include mental health help 24/7 in addition to academic support,” she said.

The college makes sure students have connection to high-speed internet, she said. “We face every day as the community’s college, not in the business of deferring or declining admissions but in business in open admissions and a place where everyone can come and get their start that will help them prosper and provide for their families.”

The Rising Black Scholars program, started in 2021, is helping keep enrollment steady. It offers things like up to two years of free tuition, a $600 stipend for books each term, a laptop, academic advising, internship opportunities and financial literacy workshops.

The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business program is a 12-week program designed by Babson College that focuses on teaching practical business education, networking with fellow business leaders and guiding entrepreneurs into economic opportunities and creating jobs. “Students learn how to better present their businesses to potential investors and receive counseling about business and networking,” Ms. Pumariega said. Goldman Sachs has been a partner with Miami Dade College since 2013.

“We go to business leaders and ask what we can do, how we can help,” she said. “We are the new business partner, whether it’s SoftBank, IBM or our healthcare and tech partners. Eighty percent of businesses are small businesses. Our role in the ecosystem of talent is one that is a conduit of partnerships to business and industry.”

County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and the Miami-Dade Accelerate program are working to bridge a technology knowledge gap in both students and those already in the workforce, the president said. “It’s important in terms of getting tech skills to the community, not just our students.” Accelerate Miami-Dade was launched in October in partnership with Microsoft to help with tech knowledge and lead to equitable hiring.

“Miami Dade College is also a cultural engine for the county,” said Ms. Pumariega. “We have the film festival in a couple of months and ushered in the book fair.” The film festival is hosted by the college, and this year is the 39th annual, taking place in March.

“It is a world-class city creating a rich culture to connect economic studies with cultural development,” according to Ms. Pumariega.

“The college’s long traditions and partnerships with business and industry is in our DNA,” she said. “We are lining up to the workforce’s needs of our community.”