2024 Noncredit Exemplary Award Winner

NONCREDIT WORKFORCE PROGRAM
Broward College, FL
Broward UP (Unlimited Potential)

Broward College is disrupting the traditional model of higher education through Broward UP. Believing that there is Unlimited Potential (UP) in its community, Broward College has operationalized a movement aimed at changing the narrative on poverty and mobility by creating access to noncredit workforce education and good jobs. Through this innovative community-centric approach, the College launched Broward UP in 2018 in six zip codes to deliver workforce education courses and programs, along with career readiness and related support services for residents facing unemployment or underemployment. Broward UP is dedicated to changing the lives of these residents by removing barriers and offering educational opportunities, workforce training, and support services directly in these neighborhoods – so that every single resident realizes their unlimited potential regardless of their zip code.

With a large number of unemployed residents and a widening skills gap, Broward UP offers a solution to both residents and local employers by offering noncredit workforce training leading to industry certifications and short-term technical certificates to improve the resident’s employability in the workforce and address the shortage of skilled workers in high demand industries. By cultivating partnerships with over 26 community organizations such as the Urban League, YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, and municipalities, Broward UP offers workforce training directly in the community expanding access to workforce education beyond College campuses. These partnerships also help eliminate and reduce the barriers to educational success, such as transportation, childcare, access to technology, and often the cost of training. Currently, Broward UP offers 30 noncredit, short-term training which offers over 26 unique industry-recognized certifications and/or certificates in high-demand industries such as Information Technology (IT), Advanced Manufacturing including supply chain management, healthcare, and other high demand areas. Residents are guided by a Career Pathway Navigator providing wrap-around services linking them to community resources, and one-on-one support throughout their educational program. Once residents complete the training and earn a life-changing credential, they are linked to workforce experiences and/or employment opportunities through one of 11 Broward UP’s employment partners, providing immediate employment opportunities on a career ladder leading to a middle-to-high wage job. Current student outcomes include 3,241 residents receiving workforce education, and more than 2,000 residents earning workforce-ready certificates including industry-recognized certifications.

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