Brevard County’s colleges and universities boast a proud history of alignment with local workforce needs, dating back to the creation of Florida Institute of Technology in 1958 as a direct effort to offer continuing education opportunities to scientists, engineers and technicians working for NASA at Cape Canaveral.

Today, the renowned Florida Institute of Technology is joined by technical institutions such as Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and satellite campuses of the burgeoning University of Central Florida.  Brevard County offers a wide spectrum of institutions that contribute to the creation of a highly qualified technical workforce.

We are also fortunate to host Brevard Community College (BCC), a highly responsive, technically-oriented community college that has grown in the shadow of the nation’s Space Program. BCC will continue to grow in importance as a key part of our community's workforce development. Additionally, the University of Central Florida's presence extends to BCC's Cocoa, Melbourne, and Palm Bay campuses.

For very specific needs, a major focus of BCC’s efforts in serving local industry is the College’s Institute for Business Training & Community Education (IBTCE). IBTCE provides customized training and certifications to local employers, tailoring existing curricula or designing new curriculum to meet their client’s needs.

A collection of career-oriented institutions--Barry University, Columbia College, Florida Metropolitan University, Keiser University and Webster University--also have locations within Brevard County. These colleges are a source of non-technical talent and offer excellent opportunities for the professional development of existing employees.

Realizing the importance of a continuing workforce pipeline, the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast has recently established a Young Professionals/New Graduates Recruitment Program designed to attract and retain young, educated talent in Brevard. This further strengthens the connection between Brevard’s youth and industry.