Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) is launching a new initiative to help dozens of young people who are aging out of foster care gain critical skills to succeed in high-demand technical jobs in advanced manufacturing and microelectronics.
The new program, "Explorations: Advanced Manufacturing and Microelectronics to Empower Youth Aging out of Foster Care," was awarded a nearly $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation over the summer. It will begin training students in 2025 and run through 2027 at Florida Tech's Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovative Design (CAMID) where entrepreneurs, start-ups and teams from established industries design and develop new products.
Over those three years, 25 participants each year between the ages of 13 and 21 will engage in hands-on learning activities, including workshops, mentorship programs and career-planning sessions to develop hard and soft skills to prepare them for employment or further education in STEM fields.
Most participants are expected to come from Brevard County, but the program is also open to young adults from Orange County, Osceola County and Seminole County. Anyone interested must apply through an application distributed through Family Partnerships, a Rockledge-based nonprofit providing child abuse prevention, foster care and support, adoption, independent living and community outreach services to local children and families.
Participants will be grouped into small cohorts to create a supportive learning environment, working together on projects and participating in team-building exercises. They will also receive stipends, transportation, food and necessary supplies to ensure full participation.
The initiative aims to bridge educational gaps and provide access to advanced opportunities in STEM. Participants will develop technical skills (such as soldering and electronics assembly) and soft skills (like teamwork and communication). The program also fosters a sense of community through collaborative projects and mentorship, helping to mitigate isolation and promote social well-being.
The program is an exploratory process that provides participants with exposure to different jobs and projects to help them decide a career path. Organizations such as Larsen Motorsports, Solar Transport Systems and Groundswell Startups are partnering with the project to give participants a chance to gain hands-on learning experiences and internships.
CAMID's labs are equipped with advanced manufacturing tools, including the EOS M290 Metal 3D Printer and the nScrypt Machine, due to the state of Florida-funded Biomedical Aerospace Manufacturing (BAM) project. The state-of-the-art machines enable rapid prototyping and production of components for aerospace, defense and electronics.
"This impactful program our CAMID team developed will equip young participants with a growth mindset and marketable skills that we believe position them to achieve long-term economic stability and success," said Florida Tech President John Nicklow. "Education at its best is about sharing knowledge and inspiring excellence and we are so excited to do that for those who will truly benefit."
By the end of the program, Nicklow noted, participants should have the skills necessary to hold roles in advanced manufacturing and microelectronics, with jobs such as machinists, welders, manufacturing technicians, robotics technicians, microelectronics technicians, PCB assemblers or engineers.
For more information contact:
Florida Tech CAMID
2495 Palm Bay Road NE
Palm Bay, FL 32905
321-674-8621
camid@fit.edu
camid.fit.edu