‘Q’ Breakfast Focuses on Workforce Development

With low unemployment and solid job growth, it can be difficult for employers to find the skilled workers they need to fill positions. That is especially true in high-growth industries such as aerospace, manufacturing and cybersecurity.

To coordinate efforts to attract and retain workers and assist employers, Career Source, the statewide workforce policy and investment board of business and government leaders charged with guiding workforce development is working to find new ways to fill the gaps.

Attendees at the Volusia County Economic Development “Q” Breakfast got an in-depth briefing on those efforts from Robin King, president and CEO of CareerSource Flagler Volusia.

The centerpiece of King’s presentation was the introduction of the Florida Atlantic Workforce Alliance, a group representing six counties, including Volusia, that aims to coordinate workforce development, education, economic development efforts to help boost employment in the aerospace and aviation, advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity industries.

King said the effort includes partnerships with businesses, the Volusia Manufacturers Association, local chambers and area schools.

King offered a variety of statistics about the region’s workforce, including the fact that the six-county area tends to skew toward an older demographic.

“We are actually a bit of an older group,” she said.

That is a concern for the advanced manufacturing sector, which is expected to grow faster in the region than statewide.

“One of the issues advanced manufacturing is facing is their workforce is older than others,” King said.

In comparison, the commercial space sector of the aerospace and aviation industry is a little younger, according to King. That sector is expected to post strong growth numbers in the coming years. Cybersecurity industry jobs are also attracting a younger workforce.

“Commercial space has changed the Space Coast region,” King said.

King said the Florida Atlantic Workforce Alliance is focused on six key areas to promote the development of a talent pipeline for these growing industries. The areas include engaging and attracting talent, strategic collaboration with partners and stakeholders, strengthening business connections, re-examining workforce requirements, aligning job training with demand and demonstrating opportunities in the region.

King said another change on the way is the upcoming merger of CareerSource Flagler Volusia with CareerSource Brevard in 2024.