Bay area technology business leaders got a chance to help Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland design its curriculum.
Florida Poly met with the businesses leaders at a resort in Kissimmee on Tuesday to get their input.
Florida Poly Chief Operating Officer Ava Parker told attendees the university wanted to make sure what students were learning would apply in the job market.
David Robinson, the President of DSM Technology Consultants in Lakeland attended the event. The company has data centers in Lakeland, Orlando, Georgia, Texas and California.
Robinson said the company could grow faster in the Bay area if it had an easier time finding qualified tech workers.
"Finding talent in the Tampa Bay area is very difficult,” he said.
He also said internships should be a key part of a Florida Poly education.
Ken Blais of Lakeland also attended the event. His company called Digital Architecture is also having trouble finding workers.
Blais is hoping that having tech business leaders guiding the curriculum will be good for local companies.
"Having more of those people right in our own back yard is what is going to allow us to grow our businesses,” Blais said.
"It's a unique opportunity to say what is it that you need,” said Parker. “What are you missing, and we'll in include that in our curriculum so that our students will be a part of your future workforce.”
The Florida Poly campus is still under construction. It is set to open in the fall of 2014.