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Workforce Study Shows Net Increase in Jobs
More than 20,000 companies have participated in a workforce study covering a wide range of industries located along the High
Tech Corridor. Despite the down turned economy, employers in the region have experienced a net increase of 5,616 jobs over the period from August 1, 2001 through January 31, 2002. "These results are one more indication that our region is seeing additional growth even during this period of economic difficulty," said Randy
Berridge, High Tech Corridor Council president. ERISS Corporation, which conducted the survey, will use the results to develop an interactive Internet application to provide current job market data to area jobseekers and employers. After February 15, find the data at http://www.usworks.com/floridahightech.
High Tech Directory To Be Distributed Along The Corridor
The most comprehensive directory of Corridor high tech companies ever assembled will be distributed in February, and available online March 1. Published through a partnership of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council and the Maddux Report, companies featured in this year's publication either create enabling technology products or are engaged in research, engineering or information technology. Editorial content will highlight current trends and the future of each of the Corridor's six focus sectors - aviation and aerospace; information technology; medical technologies; microelectronics; modeling, simulation and training; and optics and
photonics. The colorful book will also include stories on venture capital, workforce development, regional technology incubators, and research. To view last year's directory click http://www.floridahightech.com/florida/business.htm
Florida High Tech Corridor Debuts "Tech Camps"
Building off of its highly successful Chip Camp project, (http://www.floridahightech.com/info/chipcamp.htm) the Corridor Council's Tech 4 Consortium is expanding the initiative to a variety of high tech sectors and calling them Tech Camps. Like Chip Camps, which have involved more than 700 educators in 17 camps, Tech Camps will be free to K-12 and community college educators along the Corridor. They provide a hands-on experience in various high technology environments and real tools for incorporating that new knowledge into the classroom. If you would like to participate or your school or company is interested in hosting a Camp, contact Jeff Bindell at bindell@agere.com
Corridor Developing IT Workforce Competency Model
An online source of job skills crucial for employees in today's information technology sector is being developed by the Florida High Tech Corridor Council and a host of education and high tech business partners. The Work Force Competency Model (http://www.floridahightech.com/skillsurvey/default.asp utilizes a straightforward intuitive survey matching user skills with current job openings and courses to make the potential employee more marketable. Information is being gathered from partner companies, community colleges, and the University of Central Florida and University of South Florida to build the database. "We exceeded our first milestone to have 50 companies committed to this project by the end of January. Our second milestone is to have the database up and running with 200 companies and 12 community colleges by March 15, " said Project Director Bill McDermott.
Pilot Program To Train Educators On Integrating Technology Into The Classroom
More than 120 Orange County educators have begun a pilot program called Teachers Discovering Computers to learn how to integrate technology into the classroom. Initiated by the Corridor Council and Orange County Public Schools, the program will serve as an introductory computer course for teachers and administrators. Thanks to a partnership with the University of Central Florida, teachers taking this course can also apply it to graduate credit at
UCF. For more information contact Randy Gunter at rgunter@teachereducation.com.
Optics & Photonics Cluster Sparks Resurgence of Industry Association
Business and academic leaders from the Corridor's growing optics and photonics sector have seen the resurgence of the state's industry association with the renamed Florida Electro Optics Industry Association emerging as the Florida Photonics Cluster. As one of its first projects, the association conducted a market survey of the region that found optics and photonics companies project their employee growth rate will be five percent or 600 jobs over the coming year. For more information or to become a member visit http://www.floridaphotonics.com or contact Ray Mott at (407) 716-7794.
Life Science Initiative
A new Tampa based initiative hopes to develop Florida's Gulf Coast into one of the nation's top life science research and commerce centers. The Florida Gulf Coast Life Sciences Initiative -including business, academic and community leaders from across the region - will identify key issues facing industry and provide solutions using the input of business, government and educational leaders. For more information on the initiative visit http://www.robertscommunications.com/gclsi/index.htm.
Region Participates in Photonics West Tradeshow
For the 2nd consecutive year, representatives from the Metro-Orlando Economic Development Commission, the University of Central Florida and the Florida Photonics Cluster along with members of the High Tech Corridor marketing team marketed the region at the Photonics West tradeshow in January. The show is North America's largest commercial exhibition on optics, lasers, biomedical optics, optoelectronic components, and imaging technologies. The 700-company exhibition drew more than 14,600 people and led to more than 70 meetings for the Corridor marketing team. For more information on the show visit http://spie.org/Conferences/Programs/02/pw/.
Z-Tel Earns Top Position on Fast 500 Rising Star List
A Tampa Bay company, Z-Tel Technologies, has been ranked the nations number one Rising Star in the Deloitte & Touche Technology Fast 500, a listing of the 500 fastest growing technology companies in the U.S. and Canada. This designation comes on the heals of Z-Tel's receiving the Florida High Tech Corridor Fast 50's Rising Star Award. Z-Tel, which has experienced a revenue growth of 126,806% over a three-year period, has introduced a new tool that enhances local and long distance phone service to hundreds of thousands of subscribers in the U.S. The
Z-LineHOME Access Card enables one-rate long distance calling from any phone, anywhere, anytime. Features and options of the card include a personal 800 number, voicemail, and multiple-number call forwarding that can be accessed via the Internet or by telephone. Z-Tel combines a variety of communication processes to form an easier and more affordable service. To view the entire list of companies in the Fast 500 visit http://www.public.deloitte.com/fast500/index.htm. Corridor Company has Minimally Invasive Surgery on the Mind
Melbourne's Image-Guided Neurologics Inc. (I-G) has developed a tool to give doctors access to the brain, while creating a smaller surgical opening. Called
NAVIGUS, the instrument is already being used for biopsies and drug therapy, but may help patients with Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases as well as epilepsy. With I-G's creation of NAVIGUS patients facing brain surgery will now have a less invasive option that will reduce patient risk, lower costs, and deliver drugs to precisely the spot they are needed. "With companies such as I-G, Brevard is on the road to becoming an important player in the development of minimally invasive surgery equipment and procedures," said Lynda Weatherman, president of the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast. Visit I-G's Web site at a http://www.igneurologics.com.
Agere Announcement To Sell Orlando Business Draws Support of Task Force
Agere Systems' announcement that it would sell its Orlando semiconductor operations as an ongoing business drew rapid response from government, economic development and university officials who within hours created a joint task force to help Agere attract a buyer.
"Agere's Orlando facility is an important part of Florida's economy, both as an employer and a leader in building the state's high-technology base," said Enterprise Florida President John Anderson. "The presence of this facility has helped attract other high tech companies and industries to Florida and its continued viability is our primary objective." Supporting Agere in attracting a buyer, the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission took a lead role in the task force, which is working to bring together resources of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, Orange County and the City of Orlando. For more information on this announcement click http://www.agere.com/NEWS/PRESS2002/012302a.html
Inside Florida's High Tech Corridor
is published by the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, Inc. and its economic development partners. The Corridor is an initiative of the University of Central Florida (http://www.ucf.edu) and the University of South Florida (http://www.usf.edu). For more information visit our Web site at (http://www.floridahightech.com), or contact one of the region's economic development partners listed below.
Central Florida Development Council
www.cfdc.org
Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast
www.spacecoastedc.com
Greater Tampa Committee of 100
www.tampachamber.com
Manatee Economic Development Council
www.manateeedc.com
Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission
www.orlandoedc.com
Pasco Economic Development Council
www.pascoedc.com
Pinellas County Department of Economic Development
www.siliconbay.org
Sarasota County Committee for Economic Development
www.sarasotacountyced.org
Tampa Bay Partnership
www.tampabay.org
Volusia County Department of Economic Development
www.floridabusiness.org
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