The rise of mobile technology , cloud computing , and “ Big Data ” over the last decade gave rise to capabilities that businesses did not previously have . Yet training programs across the county were not meeting this new demand .
“ We tend to think that all these tech jobs are in Silicon Valley … the truth is two-thirds of these jobs are in non-high-tech industries like healthcare , or manufacturing ,” said President Obama while at the conference . “ A lot of these jobs don ’ t require a four-year degree in computer science … folks can get the skills they need for these jobs in newer , streamlined , faster training programs .”
The initiative would be called TechHire , a call to action for local communities to collaborate in helping employees fill these critical technology jobs . In 2015 , the program started with more than 300 employers in 20 communities across the United States to pilot accelerated training programs . In addition , TechHire would also have larger private companies and other national organizations that would commit to providing tools to support those communities in the effort . Finally , the Department of Labor would commit to pledging over $ 100 million in federal grant funding to get it started . The initiative has now become a success with the number of communities more than doubling — and now including Daytona Beach .
Daytona State College ’ s ( DSC ) TechHire initiative is among the newest approaches being taken to fuel the region ’ s manufacturing workforce pipeline . Made possible through a $ 3.7 million United States Department of Labor grant awarded last
summer , the college is leading a consortium to provide at least 400 people with pathways to careers in advanced manufacturing and information technology-related fields .
Shrie Allen , Director of the TechHire program at ( DSC ), said “ This spring DSC will begin offering qualified individuals free accelerated boot camps leading to industry-recognized credentials in such disciplines as Industrial Machine Maintenance , Certified Production Technician ( CPT ), National Institute of Metalworking Skills ( NIMS ) certification , Additive Manufacturing , CompTIA A +, Network +, Linux +, and a wide variety of other IT-related certifications .”
“ These are programs that address the top needs of our region ’ s manufacturing partners ,” Allen said . “ Our goal is to provide the kind of quick training that can get a person into the workforce pipeline where they can begin earning money .”
It is also the first step in a career ladder where additional education and training can be obtained at the Advanced Technology College ( ATC ), notes Dante Leon , who heads DSC ’ s College of Business , Engineering and Technology . “ These are
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