Ernie Friend
Director, Florida Advanced Technological Education Center (FLATE)
Talk Title
Paid Internship Program for Semiconductor-Related Companies
Description of Talk
This presentation will provide details and feedback on the CFSIE/FSI Paid Internship Program
Biography
Ernie Friend, Executive Director of the Florida Advanced Technological Education Center (FLATE). FLATE is a part of the FloridaMakes Network, providing manufacturing and advanced technical education, best practices, and resources supporting the high-performance skilled workforce for Florida’s manufacturing sectors. Ernie came to FLATE in January 2022 after 25 years at Florida State College at Jacksonville, serving various administrative roles in IT, Manufacturing, and related technology bachelor’s and associate degree programs. Mr. Friend was selected as the 2018 National Science Foundation (NSF) HI-TEC Educator of the Year. Mr. Friend has led or participated in more than a dozen National Science Foundation and Department of Labor grants centered on creating new curricula, faculty professional development, and student engagement in high technology fields. Ernie leads the FLATE team in providing strategic, operational, and technical assistance to identify resources and challenges affecting manufacturing skills gaps and assisting in creating strategies for building and maintaining a skilled workforce related to the future of work for the manufacturing industry. Ernie works with internal and external stakeholders to maximize relationships with education and workforce partners representing the manufacturer’s voice on career and technical education matters. As the FLATE Director, Ernie facilitates collaborations and partnerships between small and medium-sized manufacturing companies, state colleges, and area career and technical education schools to help those entities better understand the specific needs of manufacturers.