A pair of workforce education grants have paved the way for additional students to achieve their educational and career goals in information technology at the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) Coding Academy. The Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) Open Door Grant and the Cyber/IT Pathways Grant have created new opportunities for students to prepare for high-demand, well-paying jobs while taking advantage of the convenience and flexibility SCF offers.
“These grants will enhance the number of opportunities for all our students, as well as our community members to gain important industry certifications that strengthen their workforce accessibility for in-demand careers,” said Desh Bagley, director of the SCF Coding Academy.
The Open Door grant provides financial assistance to foster access to Coding Academy programs for Florida residents who are unemployed, underemployed or furloughed. Participants must enroll in a Career and Professional Education (CAPE) Act industry certification approved course and be eligible for state or federal aid that can be used for non-credit education.
Current degree-seeking students in information technology or computer programming credit courses can benefit from adding CAPE industry certifications to their resume to supplement their associate in science degrees. The Coding Academy offers these certifications in Python programming, web development, CompTIA cybersecurity, Oracle Java programming, and Amazon Web Services. As an incentive to pursue industry certifications, students who pass a certification exam for Python or other credentials associated with information technology classes may be eligible for a scholarship for their next for-credit IT class at SCF.
SCF is among the limited 24 institutions that include public school districts, the Florida College System and the State University System to earn access to Cyber/IT Pathways Grant funding. SCF has established a new certification exam preparation program (CEPP), featuring free exam vouchers, simulation software for learning certification concepts and 1:1 and group tutoring and mentoring sessions specifically aligned to help students pass information technology and cybersecurity certifications. Cyber/IT Pathways funding will also be used to add a cybersecurity component to SCF’s highly regarded youth summer camps. Using virtual worlds as a learning platform to stimulate interest and engagement during camp, students in grades two through 12 will gain increased interest and knowledge of cybersecurity concepts.
Most SCF Coding Academy courses are offered at night and online to provide flexibility for working adults to maintain employment while training for IT careers or for degree-seeking students to maintain part- or full-time class schedules. For more information about the SCF Coding Academy, visit Coding.SCF.edu or contact Desh Bagley at BagleyD@SCF.edu or 941-752-5208.
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