Funding Available
The U.S. Department of Labor awarded a $3.9 million grant to the University of West Florida and Chipola College to provide education, training and job placement assistance to meet the demand for high-skill workers in Northwest Florida. UWF is one of only six universities in the United States that received H-1B awards in April 2012. The federal grant funds originate from fees paid by employers to bring foreign workers into the United States under the H-1B program. The project, Florida Hire Ed, allows UWF and Chipola College to enhance or increase the employment prospects for
(1) Unemployed or dislocated workers
(2) Veterans
(3) Women and minorities
(4) Low-income or under-employed individuals.
Employment Prospects for IT Professionals
Nationwide, employment of computer support specialists is expected to increase by 13 percent from 2006 to 2016. Demand for these pros will result as organizations and individuals continue to adopt increasingly sophisticated technology. Job growth will continue to be driven by the ongoing expansion of the computer system design and cyber security, which is projected to remain one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S. economy.
Information technology jobs are among the top high-growth occupations in Northwest Florida. Figures provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, state that a Network Systems and Data Communication Analyst is entering a field with a growth rate of 6.2 percent, and can expect a salary of almost $55,000.
In today's network-reliant businesses, IT professionals need to remain on the forefront of the latest technology. Many employers require employees to hold job-relevant IT certifications. Well-trained employees add credibility and confidence to any organization concerned with securing data.
In an effort to meet the growing demand for quality professionals in the information technology (IT) industry, the University of West Florida’s IT Academy will provide several classes and certification opportunities for residents of Northwest Florida. Such offerings include Microsoft MCSA Security +, and the Computer Support Technician.