UpSkill Miami Partners with Achieve Miami’s Teacher Accelerator Program (TAP) to Train and Employ Participants in Education Amid Severe Teacher Shortage

MIAMI (Oct. 30, 2024)—United Way Miami, one of the leading and longest-standing non-profits in South Florida, proudly announces the expansion of its workforce fund, UpSkill Miami, into the education sector. In partnership with Achieve Miami’s Teacher Accelerator Program (TAP), this partnership aims to support TAP’s efforts in addressing the local teacher shortage by training and placing qualified individuals in Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

“Partnership and collaboration are the cornerstone of United Way Miami’s work, which is focused on solving the pressing needs of our community,” said Symeria Hudson, president and CEO of United Way Miami.  “Achieve Miami’s TAP program, founded and led by Leslie Miller Saiontz, is focused on addressing teacher shortages. With nearly 5,000 vacancies across Florida, including hundreds in Miami-Dade County alone, together we are driving economic mobility and empowering the next generation through education.”

Achieve Miami’s TAP is dedicated to building a sustainable pipeline of qualified teachers by recruiting college graduates and career changers to serve in Miami-Dade classrooms. TAP collaborates with Teach for America-Miami-Dade, the University of Miami, Miami Dade College and Florida International University to provide high-quality teacher training and certification. This community-focused approach creates a new pathway for individuals to transition into the education field and address the urgent need for qualified teachers in the region.

Now in its second year, TAP has more than tripled its impact: 151 participants have successfully graduated from this year’s program – up from 43 graduates during its inaugural year – and are teaching in classrooms across Miami-Dade County as full-time teachers.

UpSkill Miami’s partnership with TAP highlights United Way Miami’s commitment to offering accessible, high-quality job training in education. With a $500,000 investment, the program will provide 150 participants—college seniors and career changers—with a one-semester education and certification support course, followed by a paid summer internship at Miami-Dade County Public Schools. The program ensures participants receive comprehensive support, hands-on experience and mentorship to succeed, particularly in underserved areas.

“As we face an unprecedented shortage of teachers, partnerships like UpSkill Miami are critical to making a difference in our schools,” said Leslie Miller Saiontz, president of Achieve Miami. “By expanding our network, we’re taking a crucial step in helping solve this crisis while ensuring every child in Miami has access to a quality education and individuals have fulfilling career opportunities to help them make ends meet.”

This initiative expands United Way Miami’s impact on education and economic mobility—two of the organization’s core four pillars. Last year alone, the United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education trained nearly 900 educators and served 5,900 children through 120 early education programs.

Launched in July 2023, UpSkill Miami aims to empower Miami-Dade County residents by offering skills training in high-demand industries, bridging the gap between a lack of skilled workers and hundreds of unfilled jobs. According to the 2023 ALICE Report, nearly half of a million Miami-Dade households are either in or one paycheck away from falling into poverty. The partnership with TAP marks the fourth phase of UpSkill Miami, building on successful training programs in healthcare, transportation, construction trades, energy and aviation, benefiting more than 800 Miami-Dade County residents.

United Way Miami is committed to conducting thorough research and devising strategic plans to meet the evolving needs of the Miami-Dade community and shaping the future of this innovative workforce fund. To learn more about UpSkill Miami, visit unitedwaymiami.org/UpSkillMiami.

View the local media coverage from WSVN 7 News and HITS 97.3.

On Tuesday, May 28, our President and CEO, Symeria Hudson, officially announced UpSkill Miami’s expansion into the aviation industry in partnership with Barrington Irving Technical Training School (BITTS).

United Way Miami is proud to commemorate a century of service and mark a new horizon with the expansion of UpSkill Miami, our innovative workforce fund. In partnership with BITTS, dozens will receive training and gain employment in the leading industry of aviation. This expansion signifies a bold step forward for UpSkill Miami, a testament to our unwavering commitment to empowering more than 750 Miami-Dade residents and continuing to build brighter futures in our local community.

A special thank you to Captain Barrington Irving, Emeritus Board Member Jayne Abess, Baldwyn English, Maria Mas Blet and Chair Oliver Gilbert for celebrating this milestone with us, and to the students and recent BITTS graduates for sharing their journeys and firsthand experiences.

To view photos of the press conference, click here.

See the local media coverage of this tremendous moment from WSVN 7 News, Miami Herald, The Miami New Times and Miami’s Community Newspapers.

Whether you’re a potential donor, employer, training provider or student, we invite you to get involved and learn more at unitedwaymiami.org/upskillmiami.

Together, we are creating a path toward a more prosperous tomorrow.

On Thursday, July 27, 2023, United Way Miami proudly marked a significant milestone during a press conference with the launch of UpSkill Miami – a transformative fund focusing on workforce development initiatives. The event gathered more than 90 esteemed individuals, including dignitaries, representatives from the Office of the Mayor of Miami-Dade County and key community partners, to celebrate this transformative fund’s unveiling.

What set this launch event apart was the enthusiastic participation of CEOs and executives from some of the region’s most prominent organizations, who stood united as valued partners of the first phase of UpSkill Miami. Notable leaders like Bo Boulenger, CEO of Baptist Health; Carlos A. Migoya, CEO of Jackson Health System; Madeline Pumariega, President of Miami Dade College; Charles Hodges, President of Education and Training Division of The CDL School; and Michelle Barton King, Chairperson of the Board of United HomeCare, lent their influential voices to UpSkill Miami, amplifying the collective impact of the initiative. United Way is confidently leading the charge and forging powerful partnerships with some of the largest employers in our region.

UpSkill Miami is poised to redefine the trajectory of Miami-Dade County residents, enabling them to upskill and secure employment in industry-leading fields. Serving as a vital bridge between education and employment, this initiative epitomizes the strength of collaboration for lasting change. The recently released ALICE Report underscores the urgent need for such a transformation. The data shows the number of Miami-Dade County households unable to afford the basics has grown to nearly half a million. The report also establishes the Household Survival Budget at $76,284, the estimated minimum cost for a family of four to live and work in the county. However, the current median household income in Miami-Dade is only $59,044, highlighting the disparity between living expenses and actual earnings. Combining those findings with the complex issues the community is currently facing – an inflated economy, a lack of skilled workers and widening wage gaps – now is the time for collaboration through a strategic approach. UpSkill Miami is more than just a fund; it is a catalyst for economic mobility, creating a resounding impact for future generations.

In its initial phase, 500 students are expected to join the ranks of those United Way Miami has helped to grow and succeed. After initial investments of more than $2.5 million in the healthcare and transportation/CDL industries, United Way will assess opportunities in energy  and construction trades.

The launch of UpSkill Miami wouldn’t have been possible without the collective efforts of countless individuals. The ongoing support of partners, stakeholders and champions of United Way’s mission remains pivotal in carrying out this vital work.

Whether you’re a potential donor looking to invest in transforming lives, an employer or training provider seeking meaningful partnerships or a resident interested in exploring UpSkill Miami’s opportunities, we invite you to get involved. To learn more, visit unitedwaymiami.org/UpSkillMiami.

Check out the photos from the press conference here. Additionally, delve into a captivating article by the Miami Herald about UpSkill Miami here.