Workforce Questions Answered Through Regional Study
Answering many of the region's workforce questions ... the most
comprehensive study of companies along Florida's High Tech Corridor (FHTCC)
is now available online for job seekers, employers and workforce
professionals. More than 47,000 of the region's employers were asked to
participate, with one in three completing the survey. The free survey
results are available online including facts such as the region's top paying
occupations and fasting growing industries along with detailed wage and
industry information on a variety of industries. Visit
http://www.usworks.com/floridahightech
to view the results.
Centers of Excellence to be Established at Florida Universities
The Florida Legislature passed a $50 million bill that calls for the
development of state university technology research centers. If funded, The
Florida Technology Development Act would help attract additional investment
and create jobs. A group of research and business leaders, called the
Emerging Technology Commission, would then be established to judge the
proposals by universities and their business partners and administer the
funds.
Technology Professionals to Help Bridge Digital Divide
Tampa Bay technology professionals will network and help overcome the
digital divide at an April 18 event at the Renaissance Vinoy in St.
Petersburg. The event, called Bridging the Digital Bay, will cost $50 /
person. Proceeds will be used to provide needed equipment and software to
area Boys and Girls Club's computer labs. Feature presenters at the event
include Florida Representative Chris Hart, Florida Department of Business
and Professional Regulation Secretary Kim Binkley-Seyer, and FHTCC President
Randy Berridge. For more information visit
http://www.digitalbay2002.com .
Bioterrorism Research Being Conducted at USF
In response to growing concerns about bioterrorism, the University of
South Florida is conducting research on various aspects of this threat. The
national Department of Defense has provided the USF Center for Biological
Defense $4 million to conduct projects such as developing laboratory tests
to quickly identify suspected pathogens in bodily fluids, examining the
effects of stress on the potency of biological and chemical toxins, and
improving the performance of protective suits worn by hazardous substance
agents. For more information visit
http://www.hsc.usf.edu/preparedness/ .
Alliance Formed Between Optium and Fujitsu Quantum Devices
A multi-year alliance has been formed by Orlando based Optium
Corporation and Fujitsu Quantum Devices (FQD). Optium, a producer of high
speed transponder products, and FQD, one of the world's leading compound
semiconductor companies, will be packaging their products together providing
lower costs, higher performance, and lower power consumption to their
customers. For more information on Optium visit
http://www.optiumcorp.com/index.htm .
Technology Executives to Get Briefing in Orlando
Helping technology executives increase the productivity and financial
return for their organizations, the UCF Office of Resources for Business &
Information Technology (ORBIT) will host an executive briefing on May 14
called Challenges & Tools of Translating IT Business Strategy in Today's
Economic Environment. ORBIT is part of the Division of Continuing Education,
serving 5,800 individuals annually. Presenters include Walt Disney World's
Senior Vice President of Information Technology, Roger Berry; Harris
Corporation's Director of Business Alignment, Dave Jensen; the Gartner
Company's Vice President of Global Solutions, Rick Poppell; and the National
Training Systems President, Dr. Marilyn Buckner. The event, which costs
$150, will be held at The Westin - Grand Bohemian in Orlando and has a
registration deadline of May 7. To register online visit
https://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/%7Econted/registration/briefing.htm , or call
Bob Rich at (407) 629-9462.
Hot Topics Covered by Medical Manufacturing Association
Trade with foreign countries, new cancer treatments and legislative
updates are just a few of the issues focused on by the Florida Medical
Manufacturers Consortium (FMMC). The FMMC provides senior executives with a
forum to discuss issues affecting their industry. Working alongside economic
development agencies, the organization works to ensure economic growth in
the region and develop workforce development programs. For more information
contact Suzanne Christman at
schrism@co.pinellas.fl.us .
UCF to Improve Airport Security Screener Training
Training for airport security personnel is being researched at UCF's
Institute for Simulation & Training (IST). Funded by a $140,000 Federal
Aviation Administration grant, research scientist Dr. Stephen Fiore,
associate research scholar Dr. Florian Jentsch, associate psychology
professor Dr. Clint Bowers and IST psychology professor and research faculty
member Dr. Eduardo Salas will study ways for screeners to rapidly become
proficient in recognizing visual cues to dangerous items hidden in
passengers' luggage. "This grant represents a unique opportunity to meld
some of our current research with such an important issue," said Dr. Fiore.
"We are all very excited to do our part in helping aviation security." For
more information view IST's current newsletter at
http://www.ist.ucf.edu/newsletter.htm .
Technology Courses Given to Educators
Critical computer software training is being given to Volusia County
business and technology teachers as part of a region wide education
initiative. Funded by a National Science Foundation grant and partnering UCF;
USF; Daytona Beach and Seminole Community Colleges; and Volusia,
Seminole and Flagler school districts - the Information Technology Education
Center (iTEC) has trained more than 200 educators in state-of-the-art
technology and computer networking. For more information visit
http://www.itecfl.com/ or contact Bob Williams at
williab@dbcc.fl.us .
Sarasota Technology Meets Growing Demand for Broadband in Taiwan
Broadband equipment developed in Sarasota is being introduced for the
first time in Taiwan this year. Analysts have forecasted that by the year
2006 approximately 76 percent of Taiwanese households will have broadband
internet connections. Wave Wireless, the company that developed the
technology, is introducing their SPEEDCOM SC5800 - a 5.8 GHz digital radio
system which is easily upgraded and features an integrated system to help
troubleshoot the unit. For more information visit
http://www.wavewireless.com .
Business and Community Leaders Learn About Photonics Industry
More than 150 regional business and community leaders gathered on April
2 for an event called Photonics: At the Heart of Florida's High Tech
Corridor. Sponsored by the newly formed Florida Photonics Cluster (FPC), the
event highlighted the growth and opportunities in the laser and
electro-optics industry through presentations by Central Florida Congressman
Ric Keller; Orange County Director of the Economic, Trade and Tourism
Office, George Rodon; and Schwartz Electro-Optics Chief Executive Officer,
Jim Sellers. For more information on the FPC visit
http://www.floridaphotonics.com/ .
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 economic development 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.
You can also find links to the region's community college partners at
http://www.floridahightech.com/careers/studies.htm
and to various industry organizations at
http://www.floridahightech.com/info/otherlinks.htm.
Central Florida Development Council
www.cfdc.org
Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast
www.SpaceCoastEDC.org
Enterprise Florida, Inc.
www.eflorida.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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