FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                              CONTACT INFORMATION
March 19, 2004                                                                                                                              Joan Van Scyoc
                                                                                                                                                    321-690-5354

Workforce Board Announces $3 Million Training Grant Award

        Melbourne, Florida - B. Doug Mead, Chairman of the Board for Brevard Workforce Development Board, Inc., announced today the award of a $3 million grant by the United States Department of Labor (USDOL).  The grant award will assist 390 incumbent Florida engineers and scientists with updating their technical skills and helping to ensure that the State retains its quality, high technology workforce.  The grant will extend over a three year period and focus programs on key high technology industries including biotechnology, defense, and aerospace.

        The grant was awarded to the Brevard Workforce Development Board, Inc. (BWDB) who is partnering with the Florida Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) and the Technological Research and Development Authority (TRDA) to implement the program.  BWDB will act as the fiscal and administrative agent, while Florida MEP and TRDA will serve as the hands-on program operators.  Florida MEP was instrumental in developing the grant and bringing it to Brevard County.

        Until now, many engineers and scientists faced decreasing technological knowledge after only five years, which affected their ability to remain competitive.  This was partly due to a lack of programs in place to allow them to stay current with constantly advancing technology.

        Maria Alfano, Director of Operations for Florida MEP explains, "The National Science Foundation terms this situation as an Irreversible Exit, something that is happening all over the country.  We decided to do something about it in Florida, and have partnered with BWDB and TRDA so we can positively impact Florida's high-tech industry."

        In Florida, we will focus on high-tech industries where there is a definite gap in available training for scientists and engineers.  In other parts of the country, the lack of training translated into hiring foreign help to fill the positions.  The program is aimed at preventing this by keeping high-tech workers employed right here in Florida.

        BWDB Executive Director Linda South adds, "We all know how vitally important technology-based industries are to our local economy and, for that matter, the entire state.  That is why we are working alongside Florida MEP and TRDA to bring cutting-edge training to Florida while enhancing the high technology skills of our existing workforce in these key industries.  This way we can help industries such as defense, aerospace, and bio-technology retain their ability to compete in an increasingly competitive global economy, and greatly reduce the need to hire foreign help to fill the gap."

        In order for the system to work, partnerships will be developed with Florida's universities and colleges so that customized training is available and accessible for each of the 390 scientists and engineers targeted by the program.

        Alfano estimates it will take approximately two months to get the program up and running, which includes identifying Florida businesses that have employees ready to take advantage of the training programs.

        For more information about the grant award contact Joan Van Scyoc, Communications Manager, with Brevard Workforce Development Board, Inc., at 321-504-2060 or email jvanscyoc@job-link.net.  To learn if your business could be eligible to participate in the program, please contact Joe Gigliotti, Project Manager with Florida MEP at 321-939-4000 or email joeg@floridamep.org.

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