U.S. Department Of Labor Grant For New Construction And Manufacturing Program

Miami Dade College’s School of Architecture and Interior Design received a $10 million grant from the United States Department of Labor to fund a new construction and manufacturing training program scheduled to start in a year.

“We just recently learned about the approval of the grant for this program, and we are very happy about this outcome,” said Jose Lozano, Department Chairperson for the School of Architecture and Interior Design at Miami Dade College.

Last  spring, the University of Florida contacted  the architecture department at the College, requesting cooperation to apply for the grant. Several other institutions, including Santa Fe Community College, Polk State College and Seminole State College joined MDC and UF in a meeting to start preparing a proposal. A provisional curriculum, cost estimate, and list of needed equipment was created and fused into a final proposal with the help of the Results Development College-Wide Office.

The idea behind this program is to help fill the current deficit in construction trained individuals. College officials will purchase and install equipment and remodel facilities and are creating a structure for the program. They are looking to hire a director and two assistants who will recruit students. The director will also oversee project managers at each of the institutions.

Lozano said the curriculum will meet the needs of the community. To meet these needs he is assembling a board of community professionals with experience in the construction industry.

“As a college, one of our missions is to train the workforce,” Lozano said.