Miami Dade College has launched a 10-month work-based learning program that places selected AI, data analytics and software engineering students with South Florida companies to work on real AI transformation projects before they graduate.
The AI Elite Talent Hub brings students into company projects throughout the academic year, supported by faculty and employer mentors, before culminating in a paid summer internship.
Miami Dade College describes the initiative as a selective workforce program connecting its emerging AI talent with organizations looking to explore business applications of the technology. The first cohort began on August 24, following applications and interviews earlier in the summer.
Students receive a $1,000 stipend for both the fall and spring semesters, alongside advanced training, certifications, competitions, industry events and career preparation.
Antonio Delgado Fornaguera, Vice President of Innovation and Tech Partnerships at Miami Dade College and founder of the National Applied AI Consortium, said on LinkedIn that the model takes students beyond classroom projects.
“Our AI Elite students won’t be working on AI projects as part of a class, they will be working with companies on real AI transformation for a full academic year before they graduate,” he wrote.
Companies bring the problem, students develop the project
Participating employers submit an AI challenge, which can include a business problem, workflow to automate or another potential AI use case.
Miami Dade College faculty and company mentors then guide selected students through training and project work built around that challenge.
Employer partners commit to hosting one or two students, providing mentorship during the program, funding a paid internship for at least its final 10 weeks and taking part in activities including speaker sessions, demo days and final presentations.
The founding company group includes Leon Medical Centers, DataRemote, TriMerge Consulting Group, Barmade, Costex Tractor Parts, Seabord Marine, First Wave AI, MDM, SNT_Labs and WTRway World.
The college says more than 15 AI transformation projects are part of the program.
For employers, the model is intended to create a longer relationship with potential recruits than a short internship alone. Students spend the academic year becoming familiar with the organization and its project before moving into the summer internship phase.
Cohort draws from several technical programs
Eligibility is not limited to students enrolled specifically in Miami Dade College’s Artificial Intelligence program.
Applicants can be pursuing associate or bachelor’s degrees in Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Software Engineering or other AI-related programs. Associate-degree students should be approaching graduation or moving into a bachelor’s program.
Students must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA, remain enrolled at Miami Dade College throughout the program and take at least two classes during both the fall and spring semesters.
The program also requires participation in industry projects, workshops, networking, work-based learning and the summer internship.
Delgado Fornaguera linked the new model to employment outcomes emerging from Miami Dade College’s existing technical programs. He said on LinkedIn that, during the previous four months, students from Applied AI, Software Engineering and Data Analytics had secured roles including Forward Deployed Engineer, AI Engineer and AI Full Stack Engineer.
“Our first graduates with AI skills are demonstrating the value of applied AI skills in todays job environment,” he wrote.
The college launched its applied AI associate degree three years ago. The AI Elite Talent Hub now gives selected students a full academic year of company-based project work before completing their paid internship in summer 2027.
The first cohort is scheduled to conclude with an AI Elite Talent Hub Showcase featuring project outcomes, collaboration examples and internship experiences.
