IBM Pledges $10 Million To MDC So It Can Train Students For In-Demand Tech Jobs

Computer hardware giant IBM pledged $10 million to Miami Dade College on Tuesday so it can train students for in-demand tech jobs in artificial intelligence, cloud computing and cybersecurity.

The funds will be used throughout the next three years to offer upscale training for professors, bring guest speakers and advisors to help students in the classroom, provide modern software and hardware, offer curriculum advice and issue digital badges.

“We train our community’s workforce—nine out of 10 students stay right here and work in our community,” said College President Madeline Pumariega at Tuesday’s press conference announcing the partnership with IBM. “In this knowledge economy, the way that you’re passing economic prosperity is through continuing to upskill.”

The partnership expands on the MDC/IBM Skills Academy initiative that was launched last summer. It provides students with access to IBM certification courses in areas like artificial intelligence and cloud computing.

Both programs will serve as strategic platforms for MDC’s future Artificial Intelligence Center. The North Campus project will focus its curriculum on applied artificial intelligence but will be open to other majors dealing with new technologies.

“We’re looking into the future and we want the students to have those skills,” said Antonio Delgado, who serves as dean of engineering, technology and design at MDC. “We want the students to have those jobs.”

Alexis Brown, who earned an associate’s degree in enterprise cloud computing from MDC, got IBM certifications in enterprise security and security operations at MDC’s Cybersecurity Center of the Americas.

Upon graduation, Brown landed a job at Generation USA—a nonprofit organization that seeks to transform education to employment systems—where she helped students in the program become junior cloud practitioners.

“I learned more about what I’m studying and what I’m passionate about,” Brown said about her opportunity with IBM. “This would help other students as well because Miami Dade College is a place where a lot of people are underrepresented. This is a very great opportunity for people like me to take advantage of this everlasting growing tech world.”

The College said it will also continue to explore job placement and internship opportunities for students at IBM, especially those who complete IBM Skills Academy courses.

“To be a smarter city, you need the workforce that’s ready [to] work,” said Naguib Attia, vice president of IBM Global University Programs. “This collaboration will produce the students and the manpower you need.”

Staff writer Ammy Sanchez contributed to this story.