The Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida 2030 Blueprint aims to elevate Florida to the 10th largest economy globally by 2030. Within this framework, the "Talent Supply and Education" pillar is identified as crucial for achieving this vision.
Addressing a significant workforce crisis, the Florida Chamber Foundation released the Florida Workforce Needs Study 2.0 today. This study builds on its predecessor, delving deeper into challenges faced by employers in finding suitable talent. The study highlights that for every 100 open jobs in Florida, there are 91 job seekers, but not all possess the required qualifications.
Mark Wilson, President of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Foundation, stated, “Talent remains the number one tool in Florida’s economic development toolkit, and we continue to have more open jobs than qualified people to fill them.” He emphasized the need for collaboration among business leaders, educational institutions, workforce development partners, and policymakers.
The study provides a comprehensive analysis of factors affecting talent attraction and development in Florida. It examines in-demand skills, training resources availability, and legislative measures necessary to meet employer needs. According to US News and World Report, Florida has the top-rated college and university system in America and ranks in the top ten for its PreK-12 system. The next step is aligning these educational strengths with job market requirements.
Key findings from the study include:
- Communication emerged as an essential skill across six occupation groups.
- Enhanced employer engagement is needed to refine Florida’s Master Credentials List (MCL).
- Larger employers are more likely to utilize training grant programs compared to smaller employers who seek guidance.
- Limited industry-education partnerships were noted.
Rachel Ludwig, Vice President of Talent Development for the Future of Work at the Florida Chamber Foundation, remarked: “We believe the Florida Workforce Needs Study 2.0 will guide employers toward solving Florida’s talent crisis.” She urged stakeholders to use insights from the report for effective collaboration and strategic implementation.
CareerSource Florida's Adrienne Johnston highlighted efforts to build partnerships ensuring talent infrastructure meets state needs. Dr. Tonjua Williams from St. Petersburg College praised curriculum co-creation with workforce partners. Rhea Law from the University of South Florida emphasized alignment with workforce demands.
Sarah Marmion from Florida Power & Light Company noted ongoing discussions about technical and soft skills needs through her role on the Future of Work Florida Advisory Board.
The report can be accessed online. The foundation thanked CareerSource Florida, Saint Gobain, Tampa General Hospital, Wells Fargo, local chambers of commerce, and other industry partners for their contributions.
The Honorable Corey Simon underscored aligning education with industry demands as key to economic success: “By aligning education, training, and policy with industry demands...every Floridian has the opportunity to thrive.”