Florida Tech Partnership with Aerospace Workforce Transition Team Launches Training for Transition
Melbourne, Fla. — Florida Institute of Technology’s University College and its Professional Development Division have partnered with the Aerospace Workforce
Transition Team, an outreach of Brevard Workforce Development Board, Inc. (BWDB). The partnership goal is to create training opportunities identified by
employees who may be affected by the Space Shuttle program retirement.
An initial workshop, Project Management Professional (PMP®) Exam Preparation Training was conducted Feb. 7 – 15 in Melbourne, Fla. Twenty-two students
attended the intense workshop designed to prepare them for taking and passing the rigorous examination offered through the Project Management Institute.
The concepts learned in the class can be used on the job immediately; achieving certification will help Space Coast employees become more marketable should
they explore other industries due to the evolving space program.
To ensure success on the exam, students received extensive course materials, including award-winning exam simulation software. Effectiveness of the course
is guaranteed. That is, if the exam is taken within 30 days of completing training and a student does not pass, the student may sit through the next
workshop at no cost.
Florida Tech’s training partner Reed Integration Inc., owned entirely by woman-owned, 8(a) Small Disadvantaged Business designed and delivered the course,
which was taught by PMP ® certified trainer, Bob Trader. Vice President of Reed Integration Steve Waddell, who earned his MBA degree from Florida Tech in
1997, said he was “extremely pleased his company was selected to be involved with this initiative.” He added that he anticipates extending the partnership
to include International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) Exam Preparation training for systems
engineers.
Although originally requested by employees in the aerospace industry, Project Management concepts and PMP® certification are valuable for any company
and its employees. Students in the initial class represented wireless technology, green technology, higher education and not-for-profits. The health care
industry will be represented in the second session, which begins March 14 at the Marriott Courtyard in Cocoa Beach, Fla.
Florida Tech’s University College offers professional development programs in the areas of management and leadership, technology applications, project
management certificate training and also hosts one of the university’s largest conferences on global safety and security this year named the Third Annual
Conference on Global Preparedness. For more information, contact Susan Eaton at (321) 674-8388 or visit http://uc.fit.edu/pdp.
*PMP is a registered certification mark of Project Management Institute, Inc.
