By Krysten Brenlla
As South Florida’s technology sector continues to grow, career opportunities are flourishing – especially for talent looking to break into the industry. South Florida is quickly becoming the nation’s newest tech hub, with weekly events, happy hours, and programs freely available for students and community members who are ready to take their education, and skills, to the next level.
And, the demand for skilled professionals is surging: data shows that companies across South Florida (and nationwide) are actively looking for individuals who are proficient in project management, digital marketing, business analytics, and artificial intelligence.
According to recent labor market data, job postings in the South Florida region requiring project management skills have increased by 41 percent, while demand for Salesforce administrators has surged by 50 percent, and AI interest has grown by 44 percent – further emphasizing the growing need for new skills and training in technology, computer science, data analytics, and AI.
Our region’s technology ecosystem has created unique opportunities in various fields, including fintech, health tech, and e-commerce. To meet this demand, educational institutions are expanding their programs to equip students with the skills they’ll need to succeed now, and in the future.
For example, Florida International University (FIU)’s Continuing Education has partnered with Ziplines Education to offer students and community members non-credit, online certification programs designed to upskill South Florida professionals in high-demand fields – including project management, digital marketing, business analytics, salesforce administration, and AI prompting – starting in April 2025.
“Now, more than ever, we’ve seen a huge growth within the tech industry, with new skills we’ve never seen before that are in high demand,” said Jorge Zamaeta, senior director of FIU Continuing Education. “As we welcome new technologies in the market, it’s so important for students to fulfill the expectations of the business community – and that’s our promise with programs like these.”
FIU’s new online certification program is tailored to tackle the tech community’s ever-evolving landscape and is designed to provide working professionals with the knowledge – and credentials – they need to thrive at their companies. Courses are offered on multiple topics in 5-week, 10-week, and 14-week lengths, with prices ranging from $1,950 to $3,200, with discounts available. Employers will often reimburse the cost, FIU says.
“Many of these certification programs are on the rise nationwide because professionals are stalled out and need specific skills or certifications to harness technologies needed to drive businesses forward,” Zamaeta said. “This new program is for professionals at all levels, and it’s relevant for folks that may feel stuck in their current role, or are looking to re-energize themselves within the industry.”
The new online programs at FIU will cover key areas, taught by industry professionals, including:
- Digital Marketing – Certifications in HubSpot, Google Ads, and Google Analytics
- Project Management – Jira Software Essentials Associate Certification and hours toward the Project Management Institute’s CAPM Certification
- Business Analytics – Training in data analysis and visualization for strategic decision-making
- Product Management – Certifications from Product Board, Jira Software, and Amplitude Analytics
- Salesforce Administration – Salesforce Trailhead badges covering key sales enablement skills.
- AI Prompting – Practical AI skills using ChatGPT for business applications, including content creation, data analysis, and workflow automation
“FIU Continuing Education will work closely with faculty and industry professionals to keep revising these programs in the future, and make them relevant for the community and students,” Zamaeta said. “We always try to innovate, and make our curriculums and programs relevant for our students and community – we have a commitment to develop opportunities, while creating a strong alignment to the industry’s growing landscapes.”
Content retrieved from: https://refreshmiami.com/news/employers-want-skills-in-ai-analytics-digital-marketing-and-more-fiu-can-help-you-gain-them-without-going-back-to-school/.
