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Written by Abraham Galvan on March 18, 2026
United Way Miami’s UpSkill Miami newest workforce coaching and job placement initiative is expanding with a second training cohort.
After completing cohorts in healthcare, construction, aviation, technology, energy, and education, UpSkill Miami will now expand its second cohort with Florida Power & Light (FPL), along with a new partnership with Miami EdTech to offer cybersecurity training, and Goodwill Industries of South Florida to provide construction and HVAC workforce programs.
More than half a million people are living in poverty or one emergency away from it, with families spending nearly 30% of their income on housing and 20% on transportation, said Symeria Hudson, president and CEO of United Way Miami. In Miami- Dade, 54% of households now fall below the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold, which is considered the minimum income needed to cover essentials.
In two years, United Way’s UpSkill Miami initiative has built publicprivate partnerships to expand economic mobility for underserved communities, training thousands of residents and achieving an impressive 83% job placement rate, she said.
FPL and Bright Pathways will head a centralized Basic Training Program for a cohort of 15 participants seeking a career as an apprentice line worker. The program will take six months of formal training, two weeks of on-the-job training, and an opportunity to become a skilled FPL line worker.
“Since the program began, more than 1,100 individuals have moved into quality jobs, strengthening their families’ financial stability while helping meet the workforce needs of our region,” Ms. Hudson added. “Over the next year, we expect to help 500 more residents secure meaningful employment, continuing to expand economic opportunity while building a stronger, more resilient workforce for Miami.”