(Black PR Wire) MIAMI – As the construction industry continues to rebound in South Florida, companies are actively looking for skilled workers to employ on a significant number of projects entering the pipeline. In an effort to help meet current and future demand for qualified skilled talent, at its October meeting, the South Florida Workforce Investment Board dba CareerSource South Florida generously awarded Miami-Dade County Public Schools $84,530 to train 100 residents in Construction Technology, and $97,905 to train an additional 100 in Construction Technology that includes Forklift Operations certification.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) has developed an accelerated construction technology training program that provides students with the skills necessary for safe entry into the construction industry and apprenticable trades. The training equips students with the skill set that is consistent with industry needs and increased employment opportunities.

Upon successful course completion, students mastering the competencies of the course will have certification from Miami-Dade County Public Schools, OSHA 10, the Core certificate in construction from the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and have earned credit hours toward the first year of apprenticeship classroom instruction (hour vary by selected trade).

“The award comes on the heels of the success of the Employ Miami-Dade initiative where 88 unemployed and underemployed residents were trained; thereby generating opportunities for those individuals to move into a construction career with high earnings potential. This project has effected change in the lives of our citizens with the greatest need,” said Rick Beasley, executive director of CareerSource South Florida.

ABOUT Employ Miami-Dade
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez, CareerSource South Florida, Neighbors and Neighbors Association (NANA), and other local agencies partnered to offer a Construction Certification Training to help put eligible Miami-Dade County residents living in 16 targeted zip codes back to work. The Employ Miami-Dade project focuses on the targeted industry sectors of the One Community One Goal strategic plan, where employment growth is essential in making the project a success. The goal is to connect employers with potential workers and increase employment that will help residents become self-sufficient in Miami-Dade.

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’s services and resources 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.