Despite the calendar still marking summer, Miami Tech Works is unwavering in its mission to establish more career pathways in the tech industry for emerging local talent.
Last week, the Miami Tech Talent Coalition convened at Miami Dade College North Campus, bringing together employers, training partners, and community leaders to enhance the sustainable talent pipeline.
This gathering was an opportunity to spotlight work-based learning opportunities, which are essential as students gain the skills necessary for internships and full-time employment.
Miami Tech Works Director Terri-Ann Brown announced that a total of 3,065 students and South Florida residents have either completed or are currently enrolled in training programs supported by Miami Tech Works, which itself is backed by a substantial $10 million three-year grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).
Students are being trained for various in-demand tech jobs, including positions in business administration, accounting, supply chain, and logistics, among other fields.
Since the program’s inception nearly three years ago, 472 students and South Florida residents have secured well-paying tech jobs. The program aims to achieve a target of 500 successful job placements by the end of this month.
Brown expressed confidence in meeting this target, stating, “But don’t worry, we’re in good shape because we can continue to do the work that we are doing.” This optimism was echoed by Antonio Delgado, Vice President of Innovation and Tech Partnerships at Miami Dade College, who noted the EDA’s approval for the program to persist beyond the initial three years, reflecting the significant impact that Miami Tech Works has already contributed to South Florida.
A significant focus of the recent meeting was artificial intelligence (AI), which is increasingly in demand across various sectors, not just for software developers. Brown pointed out a striking evolution in job postings in South Florida: in the first half of 2024, AI was not listed as a specialized skill in any local job postings. However, by the first half of 2025, nearly 1,000 job postings required AI skills across various job sectors, including data science, human resources, support roles, and content creation in industries such as marketing and finance.
AI, according to Brown, has transformed from a non-essential skill to a core requirement for hundreds of jobs, marking a significant change in the employment landscape. “If we conduct this data analysis again in 2026, we’re likely to see this trend increase even further,” she stated.
Another notable trend is the increasing educational requirements for tech jobs. The percentage of tech positions needing a bachelor’s degree rose from 47% to 59% over the past year, emphasizing the need for continuous learning. “Get the degree and the stackable credentials,” Brown advised participants at the meeting. Among the most sought-after occupations remain software developers, data scientists, and computer support specialists.
A crucial aspect of training through Miami Tech Works involves work-based learning opportunities, as emphasized by Jonathan Adell, Miami Tech Works grant project manager.
“We are bringing the classroom directly to the employer,” Adell remarked, noting that these practical experiences can significantly influence a student’s chance of securing competitive internships.
A standout initiative has been the EPIC Challenge, conducted in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. In this program, a cohort of 20 Miami students completed four five-week AI projects for local companies, including Spark Founders and Hakim AI, culminating in a student showcase.
The good news is that the EPIC program will be continuing, and Adell aims to expand its size significantly. Employers interested in participating can apply by October 1 at no cost.
Additionally, Miami Tech Works offers various opportunities for students and employers alike. Lucy Moscoso from Miami Tech Works presented the Employer Sponsored AI Training Program, which provides 100 scholarships (up to 10 per employer) for AI upskilling courses offered at no expense to the employers.
Also, Florida International University is hosting a GovTech Forum on October 1, which will be accessible for Miami Dade College students. For employers looking to hire this year, Tena Palomino, co-founder of JSCareers, introduced a four-week program titled Impact Hiring specifically tailored for those seeking immediate hires. This program is scheduled for October and is free for employers, with interested parties encouraged to reach out to Palomino for more information.
In another exciting development, the largest student-run hackathon, ShellHacks, is set to take place from September 26-28. This event presents an incredible opportunity for students to learn new technologies, network with prominent companies, and innovate through project development.
Jose Maldonado, co-founder of INIT, the student organization responsible for the hackathon, expressed enthusiasm about the event. He believes it is a perfect way to showcase the talent pool to local small businesses and tech companies.
Maldonado himself has returned to Miami after spending six years in Seattle working for Microsoft, now continuing his role remotely. He underscores the importance of such events, explaining, “A lot of us actually do want to stay here. I know when I graduated FIU, I wanted to remain in Miami.” To gather more details about the hackathon, visit Shellhacks.net.
At the meeting, there was also a segment for the Tech Talent Coalition’s employer working groups to reconvene and report findings.
In the Tech Skills Gap Working Group, co-chaired by Olga Naumovich and Selenis Leguisamon, members identified a critical branding gap. They emphasized the need to promote South Florida as a community full of exceptional talent. They also underscored the importance of soft skills development and praised organizations like Break Through Tech that prepare students for the realities of internships.
The group highlighted a recurring problem with data collection regarding program impacts. Students and employers frequently fail to provide feedback about the work-based learning experiences. To address this issue, the group proposed the creation of a student ambassador team to facilitate better reporting.
The Small Business Capacity Building Working Group, led by Heradio Luces, recognized a common challenge that small businesses face: the inability to hire full-time employees for tech projects while lacking knowledge on how to hire tech service providers. To assist with this, the working group plans to host a workshop focused on guiding small businesses in hiring tech vendors in Miami, which includes developing the scope of work and project timelines.
Luces, who is also the founder of Hakim AI and the new chair of this working group, plans to collaborate with the MDC Idea Center and StartUp FIU to forge stronger connections between students and small businesses, which constitute over 90% of all companies in Miami-Dade County.
Ken Finneran, chair of the Emerging Tech Talent Working Group, explained that a key takeaway from their discussions was the necessity to shift the focus from merely asking what skills need to be taught to how to train students to ask the right questions.
This includes emphasizing technical program management and the development of soft skills. The group also discussed the need to encourage more local employers to engage with hiring tech talent through structured programs that create incentives for participation.
“We need to prepare employers for the future by aligning technology stacks with their business needs,” said Finneran. “Conducting audits can help determine what types of technology can be integrated. More structured assistance is crucial for small businesses, as they often lack processes that underscore the importance of technology deployment, especially regarding AI.”
The meeting also provided an opportunity for Miami Dade College to showcase its North Campus, which was the first to establish a cutting-edge AI Center in 2022. Efrain Venezuela, Dean of Faculty at MDC North Campus, shared that discussions about incorporating AI into the curriculum began in 2018 when an educator emphasized the need to prepare students for the future of technology.
This led to strategy meetings that included partnerships with IBM, which developed AI badge offerings for students. As of 2023, MDC has opened a second AI Center at the Wolfson campus, alongside the introduction of AI-related degree programs that continue to expand.
Venezuela praised the faculty, noting, “Our faculty is simply amazing – every single department is infusing AI into their curriculum.” Their goal is to ensure that students acquire the necessary AI skills.
Mark your calendars for February 4, when the Miami Tech Talent Coalition will hold its next annual meeting.
For further insights, stay tuned to Refresh Miami, which highlights talent initiatives within the tech ecosystem in South Florida.
image source from：refreshmiami
