Pace Center for Girls Broward, AshBritt, Broward College Launch Emergency Management Program for Young Women

Pace Center for Girls, Broward has partnered with emergency management and logistics firm AshBritt and Broward College to launch the new Emergency Management Program, which will become available beginning this fall. The workforce certificate program is designed to familiarize young adults across the county with the abundant career opportunities available in the well-paying emergency management industry. 

Students who enroll in the workforce certificate program will be introduced to the principles and practices of emergency management, disaster recovery, and safety regulations, as well as the career pathways, certification processes, and pay potential it offers. A major benefit for students completing the program will be a guaranteed job interview in the emergency management field. 

The program will be offered through Broward UP™, Broward College’s expanded business model designed to improve access to post-secondary education for neighborhoods with disproportionately high unemployment rates, low education attainment, and low household income. 

The program is open to everyone; however, Pace Broward launched a pilot phase of the workforce certificate program in spring of 2022. This high school version has been available for 10th graders to recent high school graduates. The pilot phase is designed to expand awareness of the program that will soon be offered at Broward College and encourage more women to enter the historically male-dominated industry. As part of its role in building continued awareness, Pace Broward will encourage future graduates to consider enrolling in the Emergency Management Program, thereby providing a pathway for more women to enter the industry. 

“Girls in our community often suffer from a lack of vision regarding their career opportunities, and the Emergency Management Program will be a game-changing experience for many of them,” said Pace Broward Executive Director Sara Nunez. “Pace is excited about this partnership with AshBritt and Broward College to execute this innovative idea, which will undoubtedly have a profound positive impact on women and families across South Florida.” 

“As a national company headquartered in Broward, we are excited to be part of the workforce development engine of this community,” said AshBritt CEO Brittany Perkins Castillo. Emergency Management is an expansive career path with many benefits – financial, career growth, community impact; I look forward to introducing the industry to more people in our community, especially women.” 

“Broward College is always looking for new ways to connect residents to opportunities that improve their earning potential and economic mobility,” said Broward College President Gregory Adam Haile, J.D. “This Emergency Management Program is another way we are improving access to a growing field. The partnership with Pace Center for Girls will also ensure that we continue to build awareness about this type of training and the career and earning potential among young women.”  

The Emergency Management Program Advisory Committee will include the following leaders: 

• Anne Cabrera, N.B.A., National Disaster & Resilience Director, SWCA Environmental Consultants
• Dilia Camacho, Business & Client Relations Manager, AshBritt
• Britany Perkins Castillo, CEO, AshBritt, (Board Chair)
• Carlos J. Castillo, Chief Development Officer, Tidal Basin Group
• Alexander Falcone, Director of Emergency Management, Special Events, & City Security,  City of Coral Springs, FL
• Tracy L. Jackson, Director of Regional Emergency Services & Communications, Broward County, FL
• Tashika President, Senior Director of Emergency Management, Broward College
• Nicole Leham, Director of Client Services, Thompson Engineering
• Sara Nuñez, Executive Director, Broward & Palm Beach Pace Centers for Girls