Being stuck in a job that isn’t paying the bills –– or with no job at all –– can feel hard to escape in South Florida.
As of November 2025, the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach area had a 4.1% unemployment rate, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s ranked 28th out of the 56 metropolitan areas with more than 1 million residents.
But securing a job doesn’t have to come with major life sacrifices. Multiple job groups in South Florida are working to give residents the skills, training and certifications needed to sustain employment.
Whether you're fresh out of college looking for a job or a developmentally disabled adult trying to find the right career path, there’s someone out there waiting to support you in your journey.
Here are 10 organizations and non-profits to check out:
United Way Miami connects you with the programs and training you’ll need to set you on the right career path.
You can get involved in divisions like healthcare, construction, aviation and technology. United Way will connect you with one of its partners in each field to start or continue your professional journey.
For example, if you’re interested in healthcare, you can train with Baptist Health to become a medical assistant, pharmacy technician, certified nursing assistant or a surgical technologist. Or, if construction is more your speed, you can work with the Moss School of Construction at FIU to get involved in an HVAC or electrical apprenticeship.
United Way has supported over 6,600 people who were unemployed or underemployed in participating in job training or placement programs, and there’s always room for more.
Phone: 305-646-7000
Address: 3250 SW 3rd Avenue
Miami, FL 33129-2712
Open Arms’ Employment Program offers community members access to services such as job matching, resume writing, labor market information and registration in the Employ Florida Marketplace.
Job seekers can work with an employment specialist to understand what training and services best fit each person’s situation.
These opportunities aren’t just for adults –– Open Arms also offers youth services for at-risk and/or low-income youth between the ages of 14 and 21.
Phone: 305-263-3259
Email:
Address: 5556 SW 8th ST, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Arc Works supports those with disabilities to maintain jobs or obtain the skills they need to secure employment.
They offer services such as employment assistance, on-the-job coaching, long-term job support and computer classes.
Phone: 954-746-9400
Address: 10250 NW 53rd ST, Sunrise, FL 33351
Urban League of Broward County
Through its ADVANCE-U program, people can be equipped with the tools they need to enter or re-enter the workforce, or refine existing skills to maintain employment.
The program focuses on three pillars: career credentials, career preparation and career advancement.
Career credentials helps individuals obtain the certifications and lessons they need to enter jobs in the technology or healthcare fields. Career preparation provides the tools and guidance necessary on the path toward employment, including financial literacy, job search techniques, family support services and interview preparation. Career advancement pairs individuals with a coach to assess their long-term financial and professional goals.
Phone: 954-584-0777
Address: 560 NW 27th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale FL 33311
Axis Helps offers multiple job-support programs, with some being offered year-round and others with an application deadline.
Interview prep, local employment resources and online technology career courses are on-going programs, while apprenticeship and professional development courses are offered during certain times of the year.
Email:
Obtaining a Workplace Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) voucher covers the cost of tuition, books, materials, labs, practice, exam vouchers and services.
To qualify for a WIOA voucher, you must be unemployed, a dislocated worker (recently laid off or received a notice of an upcoming layoff) or employed at or below 200% of the Lower Living Standard Income Level.
WIOA-eligible programs at The Academy include cybersecurity, full stack web developer, business analyst, cloud and network security and project management professional. For a full program list, visit academyflorida.com/career-source-solutions/.
Miami campus
Address: 3721 NW 7 Street Suite 3721-1 Miami, FL 33126
Phone: 305-648-2000
Email:
Fort Lauderdale campus
Address: 800 W. Cypress Creek Road Suite 200 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Phone: 954-351-7040
Email:
Center for Independent Living of Broward
The Center for Independent Living of Broward (CILB) has an employment program for people with disabilities and older adults to participate in career-building workshops.
CILB’s Ticket to Work program removes barriers for those in need of accessible and stable employment. It helps both youth looking to make the transition from education to employment and older adults looking to reenter the workforce.
Address: 4800 N. State Road 7 Suite 102 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33319
Phone: 954-722-6400
OIC helps underserved and marginalized communities get the help they need to obtain or sustain employment.
The non-profit focuses on youth or older adults facing opportunity and accessibility barriers. Through training and education, OIC can help youth and adults alike secure the skills they need to achieve employment.
“OIC of South Florida has served as a beacon of hope through its ability to serve as a community-based organization offering workforce development and job training that focuses on the unemployed, underemployed and unskilled,” the OIC website reads.
Address: 3407 NW 9th Ave. Suite 100, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Phone: 954-563-3535
Email:
Friendship Circle’s Life Skills and Job Training Program supports those with developmental disabilities to learn in real-world environments.
From cooking classes to interpersonal and communication skill development, Friendship Circle equips the adults it serves with the practical and academic skills they’ll need to maintain employment and live self-sustainably.
Address: 1302 E. Las Olas Blvd Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: 754-800-1770
Email:
If none of the groups above fit your criteria, you can also take advantage of a variety of programs offered by the City of Fort Lauderdale.
Whether its college readiness support, including SAT and ACT prep, career exploration programs or assistance securing internships, the city’s professional support programs can help youth stay on track to maintaining employment.
This article is part of a national initiative exploring how geography, policy, and local conditions influence access to opportunity. Find more stories at economicopportunitylab.com.
