Sector Strategies and Partnerships Provide a Sustainable Workforce

The focus of the Florida Atlantic Workforce Alliance (FAWA) is aligning efforts to ensure the workforce pipeline meets talent demands in Aerospace/Aviation, Advanced Manufacturing & IT/Cybersecurity across the region. This alliance invites employers/CEOs, educators, economic development professionals and community stakeholders to have a voice in this important effort. CareerSource Brevard Flagler Volusia, and CareerSource Research Coast welcome others to be part of the solution through the Florida Atlantic Workforce Alliance Consortium.

The Brevard Healthcare Workforce Consortium brings together health care industry representatives, educational partners, workforce development entities and other community stakeholders to develop a local health care sector strategy to identify and implement actionable strategies to strengthen the local health care talent pipeline.

Contributing Organizations
Keiser University, Harris Casel Institute, University of Central Florida, Aging Matters in Brevard, Health First, Parrish Medical Center, Brevard Public Schools, Keiser University, Hibiscus Court Assisted Living Facility and Memory Care, SeniorBridge, Wuesthoff Health System, Sanvis Health LLC, CareerSource Brevard, Brevard Public Schools Adult and Community Education, Vista Manor, Courtenay Springs Village (Courtenay Oaks Assisted Living Facility), Brevard Family Partnership, Eastern Florida State College, Simplifying Senior Living, METCA/Pastors Community Alliance; UCF College of Nursing Cocoa Campus, Health First Center for Learning & Innovation, BrightStar Care, Florida Department of Health in Brevard, Brevard Public Schools, Solaris HealthCare Merritt Island, PSA Healthcare – Melbourne, Anchor Care Rehabilitation, Consulate Health, Champion Home Care.

Brevard’s Construction Industry partners are working together to strategize, fill and sustain the Construction talent pipeline. Employers, educators, economic development professionals and others in active roles help develop sustainable and effective actions that train, retain and grow crucial construction capabilities and people.

Focus

• Building retention and training opportunities for current employees
• Developing critical connections and relationships that support construction workforce development
• Capturing real-time feedback from industry leaders
• Understanding the timeframes for needs, and how to address them
• Utilizing labor market data for wages and occupational analysis
• Enhancing certification and apprenticeship opportunities
• Listening for other recommendations of the Consortium

Manufacturing and advanced manufacturing is growing across the region. Among them are aerospace and aviation component companies, electronics manufacturers, medical device producers, tool-and-die makers, simulator developers, boat builders and more. This workforce is highly motivated and training resources are abundant. Colleges and universities routinely partner with local businesses to teach the next generation reliability, communication and problem solving. By uniting entities that specialize in different aspects of an industry or technology, a consortium forms a powerhouse of collective knowledge.

Florida ranks tenth in manufacturing in the United States and exciting new companies are locating to the region. Employers must find specialized talent and retain them to meet ever-changing needs in the marketplace.

Demand is high and many companies require IT professionals and Cybersecurity expertise on the team. In fact, The Milken Institute ranked Brevard County 1st in Florida and 6th in the U.S. for most concentrated high-tech economy; a mecca for IT professionals. The variety and range of skills needed in IT careers continues to grow and challenge employers to find employees with specialized skills and manage the regular training needs. Adapting to changing factors in the electronic age of business is very specific to each industry and firm.

According to U.S. News and World Report the population has increased to more than 23 million, so it’s no surprise that hospitality is our state’s largest industry. Restaurants, hotels, convention centers, and entertainment venues are always looking for employees to fill in-demand positions including culinary professionals, lodging managers, service staff, concierges, housekeeping and more. Employers often need employees who speak different languages, can work rotating shifts, meet the demands of a fast-paced environment or have specialized skills or certifications. When employees grow and thrive your business does, too. A consortium collaboration can help.