New MTC programs to prepare people for high demand jobs

(Bradenton, FL—August 1, 2016)   Manatee Technical College is offering two new certificate programs to prepare people for jobs that are considered high skill/high wage, are among the fastest growing or have the most openings: Applied Cybersecurity and Computer Systems and Information Technology.

The 2016-17 Regional Demand List for Manatee and Sarasota Counties identifies Information Security Analysts as a High Skill/High Wage occupation with an anticipated 202 job openings per year in the state of Florida, a projected entry wage of $25.67 per hour, a mean wage of $40.54, and the level of education needed is a certificate—which is what Manatee Technical College offers.  The MTC Applied Cybersecurity program takes about nine months to complete.

According to a U.S. Department of Labor blog, Computer User Support Specialists and Computer Network Support Specialists, are on both top-10 lists for the fastest growing jobs and the jobs projected to have the most openings from 2014-2024.  All the jobs on the lists are in STEM fields—science, technology, engineering and math—and require less than a Bachelor’s degree to get started.

The median pay of both of these occupations is higher than the median for all occupations: $36,200 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015).  The entry hourly wage for Computer User Support Specialists in Sarasota-Manatee Workforce Region is $14.29; the mean wage is $20.69.

In the July 28, 2016, article, “Get a STEM Job with Less Than a 4-Year Degree,” the authors talk about “a growing recognition that what workers really need are the right skills and credentials to fill specific jobs.”

Both certificate programs take less than a year to complete.  They are new additions to MTC’s Information Technology programs, which include Network Support Services and Web Development—both of which prepare people for jobs appearing on all the lists mentioned.

Classes begin August 8.  To apply for admission or for more information, please visit the school’s website at http://ManateeTech.edu or call 941.751.7900.