Microsoft Corp. is teaming up with Miami-Dade County to give locals the skills they need to land jobs in fields that require technology training.
On Thursday, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced the launch of Accelerate Miami-Dade, a program that aims to provide a path to employment by offering digital skills training that can launch participants into new careers.
"We are committed to making sure that everyone in Miami-Dade can participate and take advantage of the technology boom of our time by expanding access to learning opportunities that open the door to new, better-paying jobs,” Levine Cava said.
The program aims to upskill residents of low-income and underserved communities who do not have consistent access to technology education. The Miami-Dade Beacon Council, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and United Way Miami are partnering with the county and Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) to spread the word and find participants.
The curriculum will be delivered by education partners that include Miami Dade College, online bootcamp Springboard, and Notre Dame Tech Lab. Microsoft, which recently leased a new office space in Brickell, will provide free courses across Microsoft Learn and LinkedIn to train participants in high-demand jobs.
Business closures and loss of tourism sparked by the Covid-19 pandemic led to job cuts in industries like tourism and hospitality, which are major local employers. Expanding access to digital skills training through programs like Accelerate Miami-Dade will match participants with employment in several fields being transformed by technology, including construction, professional services, health care and the service industry.
“The Accelerate program expands economic opportunity and provides the skills needed to support an inclusive, equitable recovery," said Deb Cupp, president of Microsoft U.S.
The migration of new investors, founders and venture capital firms to South Florida over the past year has created more opportunities than ever in tech. There was a 29% increase of tech job advertisements in the tri-county area between the first and second quarters of this year, and the Miami area led the state for new tech job postings during the first half of 2021.
The goal is to ensure those economic gains are felt across Miami-Dade County. That's especially relevant as housing prices and rents continue to spike: In August, the average rent in South Florida was $2,432, according to Realtor.com, up 27% from the year before.
"The current boom in our tech ecosystem makes it an exciting time in Miami. That growth will mean higher-paying jobs, and we have an obligation to make sure those jobs are available to all,” said Alfred Sanchez, president and CEO of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce.
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