A.G. Gancarski
The Florida Talent Development Council will meet for the first time next Monday, with great expectations for what it may eventually do.
The panel was created in 2019’s HB 7071; the bill addressed workforce education concerns, including vocational education and apprenticeships.
Upon signing the bill in June, Gov. Ron DeSantis established a lofty goal: Ensure that “Florida continues to build upon its economic momentum and future workforce by investing in the next generation.”
“The Talent Development Council will bring stakeholders to the table to find an industry-led solution and strategic plan on cultivating the talent needed for Florida’s workforce in the 21st century,” added DeSantis Monday.
The goal: 60 percent of Floridians must have a “high-value postsecondary credential” by 2030.
Worth noting: the TDC will replace the Higher Education Coordinating Council, a sign of changing priorities in Tallahassee as talent gaps have become undeniable in skilled fields.
These are not abstract concerns, and are especially glaring in aerospace: a priority of the Governor and this state.
Space Florida head Frank DiBello said this summer that companies are not feeling confident in Florida workers.
“They get their employees from other companies,” DiBello contended. “They have to interview seven times as many as they hire.”
DeSantis is “committed to strengthening the alignment between industry and learning,” said Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Ken Lawson.
“The Florida Talent Development Council is a conduit to bring together educators, education institutions, business leaders and economic development professionals to discuss the needs and identify the solutions for developing and maintaining a diverse and highly skilled workforce for Florida,” Lawson, who will be on the board, added.
The new chairman of the Council laid out his expectations:
“Under Governor DeSantis leadership, the council is committed to developing a coordinated, data-driven, statewide industry-focused approach to addressing talent development in Florida, ensuring that Florida will continue to be the premier destination for business expansion,” said Chairman of the Florida Talent Development Council Joel Schleicher.
“We are bringing together members that understand the needs of Florida, and I am eager for us to start the conversation,” Schleicher added.
Schliecher knows his way around state boards, including a current stint on the Southwest Florida Water Management Board on his resume.
While this board replaces the Higher Education Coordinating Council, there will be some holdovers: among them: Michelle Dennard, President of CareerSource Florida, Inc.; and Jamal Sowell, President and CEO of Enterprise Florida, Inc.
Two Republican state Legislators will also be empaneled.
— Sen. Travis Hutson, the St. Johns County Republican who has prioritized workforce issues, is one of them.
— Rep. Rene Plascencia, who represents the Space Coast, is another.
“We’re having a labor shortage in just about every industry, whether it’s education, health care, aerospace, manufacturing, construction… not just in Florida but nationwide,” Plasencia said to Florida Politics earlier this year.
He will be in a position to help change that.
Rounding out the board is a quintet of familiar names: Richard Corcoran, Commissioner of Education; Bob Ward, President and CEO of the Florida Council of 100; Mark Wilson, President of the Florida Chamber of Commerce; Tim Cerio, appointed by the chair of the Board of Governors; Marva Johnson, appointed by the chair of the State Board of Education.
3 comments
Elizabeth
September 30, 2019 at 11:04 am
Much more money needs to be set aside for education in Florida. Not many Florida High Schooll (public school) graduates even have the confidence to go to these programs. Look at the difference between a New York Public School graduate and me. I went to public school in Fl. Didn’t know multiplication tables when I was a Junior in high school. System is broken beyond repair!!!! Shame on anyone associated with the Fl Public Education system!
Karen
September 30, 2019 at 2:54 pm
And, once these workers are available, where will they live? The short-term rental industry – with many of our legislators’ help – is ensuring that housing stock is tied up with investors renting whole house/condo/apartment units. Read about other cities – this is a real issue that needs to be addressed.
Barbara
October 1, 2019 at 6:25 pm
I am not sure if this is a complete list of the Talent Development Council? If it is you have all wheels and no workers. I have been on similar boards at the local level in Polk and Hillsborough Counties.
If you want a real change made you will need to include the head of the Academies in Polk County and the Innovation department heads from the Community Colleges around the state. People that know what Florida is doing right before changing everything.
Vision Polk has been working on this issue for several years with many of the right business leaders and all 6 universities in Polk County represented (yes there ae six). The facilitator is critical and documenting the changes with measurable objectives must be done. Just talking about change is not fast enough for the children.
Walking across a stage with a Certificate and not a High School Diploma does not serve any of our children or the employability prospects of these children or their future employers at all. The EOC’s required for Graduation are extremely difficult requiring tutors for those that can pay for one.
Please use the valuable time of these decision makers on this Council to best use by having a review of the work that has been done at the local level in many of the counties and economic development groups.
I am not an educator, my mentors were. Great mentors showed me that one person can make a difference. I have owned companies and been a Commercial Banker in Florida for many years.
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