Program Overview
Fall 2025 Employers
1. Canela Media
Industry: Digital Media / Advertising Technology
Description: Leading digital media company connecting brands with multicultural audiences through Canela.TV
Project: AI & Automation Pilots for Strategy, Reporting, and AdOps
Students: 2
Feedback Method: Riipen Survey (5/5 all categories, 10/10 NPS)
2. Miami-Dade County DTPW
Industry: Government / Public Transportation
Description: Florida's largest transit agency - Metrobus, Metrorail, Metromover, EASY Card
Students: 3
Feedback Status: No feedback provided
3. Futbol Club Noise (FCNoise)
Industry: Sports Marketing / Events / Team Building
Description: Futbol Business Agency specializing in amateur soccer and corporate leagues
Students: 4
Feedback Status: No feedback provided
4. Smart Network Solutions (SNS)
Industry: Technology / Communications / Cybersecurity
Description: Women-Owned, Minority-Owned SBA-certified enterprise with 23 years' experience
Students: 5 (including D.P., A.B.)
Project: Full-Stack Software Development (NestJS, Supabase) with Agile/Scrum
Feedback Method: Debrief Meeting
5. Jali Creatives
Industry: Marketing / Creative Agency
Description: South Florida marketing and storytelling agency
Project: Momentum by Jali: Onboarding & Automation System Design
Students: 5
Feedback Method: Riipen Survey (8/10 NPS, requested more structure)
6. Barmade
Industry: Hospitality Technology / POS Systems
Description: Online ordering and POS system for food trucks, bars, restaurants, and festivals
Students: 3 (J., A., V.)
Project: Mobile/Web App Development (Flutter) - Vendor & Customer Dashboard
Completion: ~80% - Super admin dashboard, multi-language support (6 languages), POS/Stripe integrations
Feedback Methods: Riipen Survey + Debrief Meeting
7. Miami Dade College IT
Organization: Miami Dade College - Department of Information Technology
Industry: Higher Education / IT Services
Description: One of the nation's largest institutions of higher education
Students: 6 (multi-campus)
Project: Dual-track: IT Support Operations + Process Improvement Analysis
Key Outcomes: Windows deployment system implemented, Hubless ticketing system under review
Feedback Method: Debrief Meeting
Key Success Metrics
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Student Completion Rate | 96% (27/28 completed survey) |
| Employer Feedback Rate | 71% (5/7 provided feedback) |
| Future Participation Interest | 80% Yes (4/5) |
| Net Promoter Score | 9.7/10 (5 responses) |
Employer Feedback Summary
Of the seven employer partners, 5 companies provided feedback: Three via Riipen surveys (Canela Media, Jali Creatives) and three via post-project debrief meetings (MDC IT, Barmade, SNS). Barmade also submitted a Riipen survey in addition to their debrief.
MDC IT - Employer Debrief
Contact: Ricardo Alfonso Jr., M.S.
Debrief Date: December 2, 2025
Students: 7 (multi-campus)
Key Metrics
| Relevance of Student Solutions | High |
| Likelihood to Implement | High |
| Student Engagement Level | Consistent |
| Interest in Future Participation | Absolutely |
Implementations
✅ Windows Deployment System - Already implemented based on student research
🔄 Hubless Ticketing System - Under active evaluation
💼 Talent Pipeline: Pursuing J. for International Student Assistant position
Barmade - Employer Debrief
Contact: Julian Harris, Founder
Debrief Date: December 8, 2025
Students: 3 (J., A., V.)
Technical Mentor: Lamarco (Full-Stack Developer)
Key Metrics
| Project Completion | ~80% |
| Relevance of Solutions | High |
| Front-End Performance | Excellent |
| Future Participation | Yes |
Key Deliverables
✅ Super Admin Dashboard - Built by A., not originally in scope
✅ Multi-Language Support - 6 languages added by J.
⏳ POS/Stripe Integrations - Code written, pending back-end completion
Talent Pipeline
🌟 J. - #1 Recommendation: "Like a professional already"
🌟 A. - Strong Recommendation: Built dashboard independently
⚠️ V. - Needs Development: Back-end skills gap
Smart Network Solutions (SNS) - Employer Debrief
Contacts: Sandra Valencia, Hernando Lopez, Carolain
Debrief Date: December 12, 2025
Students: 5 (including D.P., A.B.)
Key Metrics
| Onboarding & Support | Excellent |
| Project Relevance | High |
| Student Engagement | Consistent |
| Future Participation | Yes (Same Project) |
Engagement Model
📅 Twice-weekly standups (Monday/Friday)
💬 WhatsApp groups (main + front-end + back-end)
📊 Jira board with task tracking
🎓 Week 1: Agile methodology training
Talent Pipeline
🌟 D.P. - Strong Hire: Scrum Master with prior experience
🌟 A.B. - Strong Hire: Proactive, eager to learn
Future Participation Interest
Company-by-Company Breakdown
Canela Media
Via Riipen survey
Jali Creatives
Via Riipen survey
MDC IT
Via debrief meeting
Barmade
Via debrief + U.S. Chamber interest
SNS
Via debrief; wants to continue same project
Key Insights
Of the five companies that provided feedback, four (80%) confirmed interest in future participation. SNS specifically requested to continue their project across future cohorts, and Barmade expressed interest in presenting at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation event.
Technology & Skill Requirements
Data synthesized from 9 employer partners across Summer & Fall 2025 cohorts, representing 38 student placements.
AI Technologies by Employer
| Employer | AI/Automation Tools | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Canela Media | OpenAI, LangChain, RAG, Chroma/Pinecone | AI assistant for proposals, automated reporting |
| Smart Network Solutions | OpenAI, n8n, Make, LMS chatbots | AI training platform with chatbot support |
| FCNoise | DAPTA AI, Zapier, WhatsApp API | Marketing automation, AI-driven client comms |
| Jali Creatives | Zapier, Make, Typeform automation | Subscriber onboarding workflows |
| MDC IT | Power Automate, AI for IT ops | IT efficiency, security automation |
| CoCreator | ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity.ai | Content generation, research, UX ideation |
| Syneurgy | Serverless/cloud AI integration | Platform optimization, scalability |
AI Skill Categories in Demand
| AI Skill Category | Projects | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Workflow Automation (Zapier, Make, n8n) | 6 | 67% |
| AI Assistants/Chatbots (OpenAI, LangChain) | 4 | 44% |
| AI for Content/Research (ChatGPT, Gemini) | 3 | 33% |
| RAG & Vector Databases (Chroma, Pinecone) | 2 | 22% |
Programming Languages & Frameworks
| Language/Framework | Projects | Primary Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Python | 5 | AI/ML, automation, data analysis, scripting |
| JavaScript/TypeScript | 4 | Frontend, React, Next.js, Node.js |
| HTML/CSS | 3 | Web development, UX prototyping |
| React/Next.js | 3 | Frontend frameworks, serverless |
| SQL | 2 | Database queries, data analysis |
🔑 Key Insight: The Python + AI Connection
Python's dominance is directly tied to AI adoption. All 5 projects requiring Python also required AI/automation skills. Employers specifically cited Python for: OpenAI API integration, LangChain development, n8n scripting, data analysis with pandas/numpy, and workflow automation.
This suggests Python should be positioned as the gateway language for AI curriculum.
No-Code/Low-Code Platform Categories
| Category | Platforms | Projects |
|---|---|---|
| Workflow Automation | Zapier, Make (Integromat), n8n | 6 |
| Project Management | Monday.com, Jira, Trello | 5 |
| Design & Prototyping | Figma, Canva, Miro | 5 |
| Website Builders | Wix, WordPress, Webflow | 4 |
| Data Visualization | Tableau, Power BI | 3 |
Role-Based Skill Requirements
Project Manager
89% of projects
Tech: Monday.com, Jira, Google Workspace, Slack
Soft: Cross-functional coordination, Agile/Scrum
Developer / Automation
78% of projects
Tech: Python, React, n8n, Zapier, API integration
Emerging: RAG, LLM prompt engineering, AI agents
UX/UI Designer
67% of projects
Tech: Figma, Canva, Miro, HTML/CSS
Soft: User research, Accessibility (WCAG)
Data/Business Analyst
56% of projects
Tech: Excel, Tableau, Power BI, Python, SQL
Biz: Requirements docs, KPI tracking
Agile Work Profiler: Skill Development
Learners completed the Agile Work Profiler assessment at the beginning and end of the challenge to measure growth in professional competencies.
Top Agilities: Before vs. After Challenge
| Agility | Before | After | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Innovating | 21 | 18 | −3 |
| Organizing | 12 | 16 | +4 |
| Inspecting | 10 | 14 | +4 |
| Managing | 3 | 8 | +5 |
| Working with Information | 11 | 10 | −1 |
| Judging & Estimating | 7 | 3 | −4 |
📈 Key Insights: Skill Development Patterns
Largest Growth: Managing (+5), Organizing (+4), Inspecting (+4)
Hands-on project experience developed practical leadership, organizational, and quality assurance skills.
Consistent Strength: Innovating (21→18)
Creative problem-solving remained a top agility, validating learners' ability to apply innovation in real settings.
Notable Shift: Judging & Estimating (−4)
Abstract/theoretical skills gave way to concrete, execution-focused competencies as learners engaged with real deliverables.
Agility Stability Analysis
Same 3 agilities before & after
1-2 agilities changed
All 3 agilities changed
Self-Perception & Project Reflection Sentiment
Reported Growth
Increased Confidence
Learned New Tools
Positive Experience
Selected Learner Reflections
Actionable Recommendations
Based on survey results, employer debrief meetings, and technology requirements analysis from both Summer & Fall 2025 cohorts.
Program Improvements
- Enhanced Program Structure Expand existing engagement resources into a comprehensive employer handbook, consolidating role definitions and communication protocols based on Fall 2025 learnings. Consider extending the program timeline or adding structured mid-point check-ins.
- Communication Support Enhance employer orientation on available communication tools and escalation pathways. Future cohorts will benefit from documented protocols that complement the existing fallback channels.
- Program Duration Extension All three debrief employers independently recommended extending the program to 10-12 weeks Six weeks was insufficient for technical projects. Consider tiered sprint options: 6-week for smaller projects, 12-week for complex development.
- Skills Assessment for Technical Projects Implement pre-project skills assessment for students assigned to technical roles. Both Barmade and SNS noted students were learning required tech stacks during the project—despite being informed that this is primarily a learning experience for students, employers still expected fully developed technical skills. Match student capabilities to project requirements upfront and set clearer expectations.
- Task Management Training Incorporate project management tool training (Jira, Asana, Trello) into student onboarding curriculum, establishing expectations for real-time task updates as a workforce readiness competency.
- Multi-Cohort Project Continuation SNS and Barmade expressed interest in continuing their projects across future cohorts. Create a framework for multi-cohort engagements where new students can build on existing foundations.
- Timeline Clarity Based on employer feedback, formalize project timeline documentation to distinguish between the work period end date and showcase presentation date. Incorporate this distinction into standardized onboarding materials for both employers and students.
- Pre-Showcase Presentation Workshop MDC IT recommended offering a presentation workshop before the showcase event to help students better communicate their work and company value proposition.
Local Employer Skills Needs
Based on employer technology requirements from both EPIC cohorts, South Florida employers are seeking talent with the following competencies:
🔴 HIGH DEMAND: AI/Automation Skills
78% of employer projects required AI/automation competencies. Key skills employers are seeking:
- OpenAI API integration and LangChain development
- Vector databases (Chroma, Pinecone) for RAG applications
- Prompt engineering as a fundamental skill
- AI-powered workflow automation
🔴 HIGH DEMAND: Python for AI Applications
Python appeared in 56% of projects and was the #1 language for AI work. Employers specifically need:
- OpenAI/Anthropic API integration and prompt engineering
- LangChain for building AI applications and agents
- Data manipulation with pandas/numpy for AI preprocessing
- Automation scripting (n8n custom nodes, API webhooks)
🟡 GROWING DEMAND: No-Code/Low-Code Proficiency
67% of projects required no-code tools. Employers value candidates proficient in:
- Zapier/Make/n8n for workflow automation
- Figma for UX design and prototyping
- Tableau/Power BI for data visualization
- Wix/Webflow for rapid web development
🟡 ESSENTIAL: Cross-Functional Collaboration Skills
100% of projects were team-based with defined roles. Employers expect candidates to have experience in:
- Working in cross-functional teams (dev + design + PM + analyst)
- Agile/Scrum methodologies with sprint cycles
- Professional communication tools (Slack, Teams)
- Client-facing presentations and demos
🟣 EMERGING: Specialized AI Talent Needs
Given the strong AI demand, employers are increasingly seeking specialized AI talent with skills in:
- AI Fundamentals: Prompt engineering, LLM concepts, ethical AI
- Applied AI: Building AI assistants, chatbots, RAG systems
- AI Infrastructure: Vector databases, cloud deployment, scaling
- AI in Business: Automation strategy, ROI analysis, change management
🎯 Key Takeaways for Workforce Development
- ✓ Extend experiential programs to 10-12 weeks for technical projects
- ✓ Skills assessment needed before placing students in technical roles
- ✓ Multi-cohort projects allow deeper employer-student engagement
- ✓ Task management training essential for workforce readiness
- ✓ AI/automation skills in high demand (78% of employers)
- ✓ Python is the gateway language for AI careers
- ✓ No-code/low-code tools increasingly valuable (67% of employers)
