Florida’s Great Northwest announced Monday (7/13/09) its investment in certificate and degree programs in information technology (IT) and engineering at seven Northwest Florida post-secondary institutions. This grant award is a response to the workforce deficit in computing and engineering occupations in Northwest Florida as identified in a recent study conducted jointly by Florida’s Great Northwest and the University of West Florida’s Haas Center for Business Research and Economic Development. The study revealed a dramatic shortage of graduates from certification through graduate degrees in computer engineering, industrial engineering, computer specialist programs and engineering technician programs in Northwest Florida as well as at the state and national levels.
“The Florida State University is pleased to be a part of this effort to help strengthen the economic environment of the region,” said Dr. Larry Dennis, dean of the College of Communication and Information. “Florida’s Great Northwest’s support enables us to provide scholarships to 50 students seeking careers in IT. This commitment to growing a high-tech economy is helping to develop and retain talent within our community.”
“IT and engineering are driving forces in the expansion of Northwest Florida’s increasingly high-tech, knowledge-based industries,” said Al Wenstrand, president of Florida’s Great Northwest. “The businesses in the region have identified a critical workforce need, confirmed by the Haas Center study. Through partnerships between Florida’s Great Northwest and the region’s post-secondary institutions, we are attempting to meet that need by growing a workforce from within Northwest Florida. Growing our own talent in high-wage, high-skill occupations is a long-term strategy that reflects a significant benefit for the citizens of Northwest Florida while creating a workforce that will meet the needs of the technology businesses that even in this recession are growing and demanding additional employees.”
Florida’s Great Northwest is awarding two grants, totaling $1,150,000, to be used for scholarships to aid in developing a qualified IT and engineering workforce within the region. These include:
1. $150,000 to the FSU College of Communication & Information for 50 scholarships
2. $1,000,000 to a consortium (University of West Florida, Pensacola Junior College, Northwest Florida State College, Gulf Coast Community College, Chipola College, Tallahassee Community College) for 378 scholarships to IT and engineering students
- Pictured from left: Al Wenstrand (Florida’s Great Northwest), Dr. Larry Dennis (Florida State University), Dr. Mark Jowett (Florida State University Panama City campus) and Fred Leopold (Community Bank and Florida’s Great Northwest board chair).
Florida State University’s College of Communication and Information will utilize the funds to offer 50 scholarships for students seeking a Bachelor of Science degree in IT specializing in Computer Networking, Computer Security, General Computer Support, Web Design or Health Informatics. Florida State University will match the $150,000 grant with $153,016.
All of the scholarships will target students who plan to live and work in Northwest Florida upon graduation. Students pursing an IT or engineering degree who are interested in these scholarship opportunities should contact each college for specific program information and requirements.