Central Florida Urban League to Launch Job-Training Program for the Broadband Technology Industry

Bank of America Workforce Development grant helps support new initiative

ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Next month, the Central Florida Urban League will launch a job-training initiative aimed at helping African Americans in the Orlando area gain skills to work in the broadband technology industry. The training will be offered at the League's Center for Workforce Innovation, which is part of a National Urban League initiative promoting the importance of science, technology, engineering and math education.

For three to five weeks, 12 participants will receive expert-led training in broadband wiring installation as well as professional development in resume writing, workplace interaction and personal financial management skills.

Central Florida Urban League CEO Allie Braswell said African Americans are underrepresented in the broadband technology industry and the new training module will help fill the skill gap in that employment sector.

"We have identified growth in the broadband-centered economy as an opportunity to engage young African Americans in learning technology skills needed for successful employment in the telecom workforce," Braswell said.

The program is partially funded by a $20,000 Workforce Development grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, which Braswell says was crucial to helping the League implement the program.  "Bank of America's financial commitment to the League ensures the sustainability of our mission," he stated.

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation awarded more than $22 million in grants to over 1,050 nonprofits in 34 states that support workforce development and education initiatives. The Central Florida Urban League is one of eight non-profit organizations in Orlando to receive a workforce development grant.

"The bank's investment in the Orlando area is just one of the ways we are supporting education and workforce development organizations in our community and helping improve the local economy where we live," said John Moskos, Orlando market president of Bank of America.

About the Central Florida Urban League
The Central Florida Urban League (CFUL), an affiliate of the National Urban League, is a community-based agency whose mission is to assist Central Floridians in achieving social and economic equality for the betterment of the entire region. More than 40,000 residents have benefited from CFUL's empowerment programs. Visit http://www.cful.org for more information.

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SOURCE Central Florida Urban League