Partnership with Broward UP™ is Just Like Old Times for Lauderhill Mayor
Perhaps, no one in Lauderhill knows the lay of the land better than its mayor. After all, Ken Thurston has served in a real estate capacity in the city since he received his license from Broward College more than four decades ago.
As luck would have it, Thurston is back at it with Broward College. Through Broward UP™, the College’s community outreach movement, the Mayor is identifying neighborhoods in Lauderhill where unemployment is high, and education attainment levels are low. In these zip codes, Broward College officials plan to mobilize the services and resources of Broward UP in a coordinated effort with Thurston and the city to break down barriers to education and, at the same time, drive social mobility and economic development.
Although much of Lauderhill is enjoying the fruits of low unemployment, Thurston said the central part of the city, where subsidized housing attracts residents from all parts of the county, could use the assistance of Broward UP™ to tap its “Unlimited Potential.”
“Subsidized housing is great because it helps people live in decent and safe housing, but we have a cluster of people who have not acquired the life skills to move ahead,” said Thurston. “If we can educate these residents and lift them up, it becomes a win-win for everybody.”
Thurston has already pointed to the Lauderhill Aquatics Center on 55th Avenue as an ideal location to hold workshops in college and career development and training toward substitute teaching and Microsoft Office certifications.
“Maybe it’s computer skills, maybe it’s an area in technology or healthcare,” said Thurston. “These are all industries where jobs are in high demand. Or maybe it’s employment skills, such as how to interview, how to complete a job application or how to prepare a resume.”
First Municipal Partnership
Thurston said Broward UP’s first municipal partnership evolved after Broward College President Gregory Haile and his team presented their strategies at a meeting of the city commissioners. Shortly after that, the collaboration was launched at the Boys & Girls Club of Broward College in Lauderhill, where Broward UP staged a day of recreational activities and team building.
“There is a willingness by President Haile and those around him to think outside the box to find solutions to problems that have existed for a long time,” said Thurston. “The prospect of having classes in our city will increase the skills of our citizens, which should translate to increased employability for them and better jobs.”
Thurston understands how important enhancing jobs skills can be. After graduating from Morehouse College in Atlanta, he moved to Fort Lauderdale to become a property manager. One year in, he realized the position required a real estate license. He turned to Broward College, taking classes at a facility off Commercial Boulevard. In the years since, two of his four children attended Broward College before transferring to Florida State University and Florida Atlantic University.
Now as the “go-to” leader of Lauderhill, he’s is thrilled to be working with Broward College again to empower his city’s residents.
To learn more about how Broward UP™ plans to bridge the gaps between communities in need and postsecondary education, watch this South Florida PBS interview Broward College .
If you are dedicated to promoting opportunity and pushing residents of Broward County to achieve their highest potential, Broward UP™ is a county-wide movement for you to get behind. Here’s how you can partner.
Kids & Teen College introduces children to priceless opportunities
Parents want to provide their kids with tools and skills that will land them a good job in the future. In today’s world, there is a lot of competition, and employers require applicants to have previous experience or an impressive set of skills.
Broward College offers a program that provides children, ages 8 to 15 with a headstart on higher education. “The Kids & Teen College” is designed as a way for children to gain early College experience but more importantly to give them an insight on where they may attend College as well as what their path of study will be when they get there,” says Diane Peart, associate vice president of Workforce and Continuing Education.
Meeting the needs of the community
“What we have learned during our yearly surveys is that parents do not just want a summer camp. They want their kids learning, they want to see a return on their investment, and more than anything, they want a program that will help their children get a good job in the future,” says Peart.
The Kids & Teen College is precisely that program, offering courses that mirror today’s high-demand careers. The program offers courses in Aviation, Nursing, Business, Education, Marketing, and more. It will run from June 17 to August 2.
Two critical requirements employers seek are embedded in every course offered at the Kids & Teen College– technology and soft skills. Both components are indispensable in today’s workforce, as a recent study shows that over 70 percent of employers find applicants lack proper soft skills.
Introducing the College Experience
During the six-week summer program, students attend the kids and teen version of college classes. This summer, industry certifications were added to the program, and are available to children between the ages of 10 and 15. They consist of one full week of intensive classes.
Classes include discussions, presentations, lectures, a small project, and exams. Students have the opportunity to tour the campus and see each of the eight pathways offered at the college up close.
Each career pathway comprises a group of occupations that share common skills. Broward College offers studies in the following categories: Arts, Humanities, Communication and Design (AHCD); Business; Education; Health Sciences; Industry, Manufacturing, Construction and Transportation (IMCT); Public Safety; Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM); and Social Behavioral Sciences and Human Services (SBSHS). Within each pathway, you can pursue all types of degrees (AA, AS, and Bachelor’s) and technical certifications.
Both the certifications and the courses offered during the five remaining weeks highlight the main program of each pathway.
Working towards Broward College’s greater mission
“The main goal of this program is to show young children, and their parents, the opportunities available to them at Broward College and inspire them to come back and pursue their career here, knowing that it’s an affordable, highly-regarded, local college,” explains Peart.
And the data supports the success of the program – thirteen percent of children who participated in the program later attend Broward College to pursue either a degree or a technical certificate.
The earlier children are introduced to higher education, the better, says Peart. “This is especially important for areas like STEM – the earlier we pick their interest, the better chance of teens pursuing these fields in College,” she adds.
The deadline to register and pay for classes for this summer is June 10, 2019. Visit broward.edu/youth for more information on courses available, costs, and locations.