Miami-Dade County Public Schools has served the community over the last century, improving education and offering quality programs for families. Over 75 years ago, the school district took it a step further, offering its first adult and community education program at Lindsey Hopkins Technical Education Center.
The district’s Adult and Community Education program wasestablished in order to serve a growing population of ambitious members in the community who were looking for a way to enter the workforce. Miami-Dade Technical Colleges(M-DTC) has helped to jumpstart the careers and education of thousands of students over the years. Historically, the division has served an average of over 51,000 students annually.Now, by offering the lowest tuition costs in Miami-Dade County, with less-than-one-year programs,students can graduate and besuccessfully placed into careers of high demand. M-DTCand the Adult and Community Education programs are still one of today’s best kept secrets.
M-DTC fosters ongoing relationships with employers and top industry leaders in the community in order to deliver more than just quality professional training and enhancements. It alsoconnects students with full-time job opportunities. Companies like Toyota, Braman Miami, Cisco, Whirlpool, Siemens, Jackson Health Systems, Walgreens and American HondaMotor Co., Inc.,are some of M-DTC’spremier community partners who offer students hands-ontraining to fulfill their career dreams.
Employers such as Braman Miami,Toyota and American HondaMotor Co., Inc.,are in search of quality and specialized talent for their service centers.M-DTC preparesstudents for over 60 career options in high demand such asApprenticeship training for the Construction Trades, Aviation, Commercial Foods/Culinary Arts& Baking, Commercial Art&3D Animation, Information Technology, Personal Services, Manufacturing, Transportation, and more.
English classes are also available to help transition the immigrant community into the workforce while they assimilate into their new life in America. High school studentsalso have an opportunity to enroll in Career and Technical Education programs and train for a career at no cost while earning college credits.
Time is of the essence for both students and employers dedicated to advancing in these industries. Many of the career preparation programs offered by M-DTC provide members of the community a chance to jump start their careerwithin a year. With seventechnical colleges throughout Miami-Dade County – D.A. Dorsey Technical College, George T. Baker Aviation Technical College, Lindsey Hopkins Technical College, Miami-Lakes Educational Center &Technical College, Robert Morgan Educational Center &Technical College, South Dade Technical College and The English Center – prospective students can choose between day and evening classes that work seamlessly with their schedule.
M-DTC also offers unmatched support and financial aid, to those who qualify, to help students afford an education. Programs such as the Federal Pell Grant; Federal Supplemental EducationOpportunity Grant; Florida Pre-Paid;as well as Florida Bright Futures; Florida Vocational Rehabilitation Services; Veteran’s Education Benefits; Career-Sources South Florida; Skills for Academic Vocational and English Studies(SAVES) and Apprenticeship opportunities provide students with an array of options to afford their career training goals, debt free. M-DTC featuresstate-of-the-art equipment, accelerated, intensive and effective career programs at a fraction of the cost. Furthermore, students receive assistance with job placement.
These programs have been optimized for the adult learner (age 16, no longer enrolled in K-12, and above), who are looking to transition into a successful working professional, or to re-enter the workforce by pursuing a certificate or license that is nationally accredited.
M-DTC offers students an academic experience with unparalleled community support. Its faculty and staff are there to help students improve their lives and their careers forthe benefit of their future and their families.
A success story: Baker Aviation Maintenance Technician ProgramAttracting More JobsThan Available Graduates
As the airline maintenance industry evolves, George T. Baker Aviation Technical College is continuously innovating their programs. By investing in state-of-the-art technology and hiring experienced industry professionals to teach, the school takes steps to keepits programs rigorous and competitive. The majority of students that have recently graduated also gained experience working at maintenance repair operations and airlines. And many major airlines, such as American, Delta, LATAM, and United, look to hire Baker Aviation’s best and brightest.
A success story: Student Hired After 1 Year In a 2-Year Program At Miami Lakes Educational Center and Technical College
Alejandro Beaujon is a 33-year old immigrant from Venezuela who graduated the Building Automation Systems (BAS) program at Miami Lakes Educational Center &Technical College in December 2019. Alejandro realized that his passion was to create "intelligent buildings" in an environmentally reliable, safe, efficient, ecological, and sustainable manner. That led him to the BAS program, where he acquired the knowledge to manage and build intelligent structures and use a network to connect them to the internet-of-things (IOT). He now believesBAS will impact the very future of humanity! Mr. Beaujon excelled and after only one year of the two-year program, he was offered a job as a BAS Services Specialist at Siemens—a global company dedicated to the electrification, automation and digitalization of industries and cities.
A success story: Diesel Systems Technician Program at Robert Morgan Educational Center and Technical College
Ms. Rebecca Koch, a 28 year old student and graduate of the Heavy Duty Truck and BusMechanics program at Robert Morgan Educational Center & Technical College, stated“I am focused on my passions of becoming a High Horsepower Diesel Technician (working on really big engines that run trains or large generators). I’ve aspired to become a mechanic since I was young girl.”Currently, in the U.S., only 3-4% of all automotive mechanics are women, and among heavy-duty mechanics, a minuscule 1% are women*. “I was able to graduate at the end of 2017 without incurring any student loans, thanks to Miami-Dade County Public Schools,” said Rebecca. Ms. Koch has since been hired by Cummins Inc., an American Fortune 500 Corporation that designs, manufactures, and distributes engines, filtration, and power generation products.
A success story: Automotive Service Technology SAVES Program
Ossemer Valcin was enrolled in the Automotive Service Technology program at Lindsey Hopkins Technical College and is now contributing to the American economy!Born in Haiti, he is a true American success story. Mr. Valcin discovered that M-DTC’s SAVES program was built to help people like him—those in difficult financial situations and with other concerns, like his then-pending immigration status. SAVES helped Mr. Valcin attend school and study Automotive Technology. He captured his feelings in the simple phrase: “A blessing is never lost.” For him, the SAVES program was an amazing experience. Ossemer plans to continue his studies and thanks SAVES for giving him the opportunity to jump start his career.
For more information on enrollment and financial aid options, please visit MiamiDadeTechnicalColleges.com, or call 305-558-8000.
Our upcoming on-line trimester starts Monday, May 18th. New students can now register virtually, by logging on to MiamiDadeTechnicalColleges.com. For information about our programs, please call 305-558-8000, or refer to our website.
*(according to surveys conducted by Statistics Canada and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
