Corrie Melton, Florida Chamber Foundation’ s Vice President of Talent Development for the Future of Work. Photo provided by the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
students understand career opportunities and gain the skills employers need.
“ Second, workforce development begins much earlier than many people realize. Early learning, kindergarten readiness, and third grade reading proficiency are not just education priorities – they are economic priorities that influence the strength of Florida’ s future workforce.”
Third,“ building Florida’ s future workforce is a shared responsibility” requiring collaboration among business, education and community partners.
“ The cradle-to-career concept is exactly the kind of long-view thinking workforce development needs,” says Truleigh Sargent, AdventHealth’ s East Florida Division Workforce Development Specialist.“ It does not mean asking young children to choose a career. It means recognizing the future workforce is shaped long before someone applies for a job. Literacy, confidence, exposure, adult relationships, career awareness, belonging and access to clear next steps all matter. We cannot wait until senior year, college graduation or job-posting day.”
“ Volusia County is already feeling the pressure of a widening talent gap, and the numbers underscore why early, intentional workforce development matters,” says Kristin Weiss, President and CEO of the Daytona Regional
Kristin Weiss
Chamber of Commerce.“ According to the Florida Scorecard, by 2030 our community will need a net 19,403 new jobs just to keep pace with growth and employer demand, a target that cannot be met by focusing only on college graduates and adult retraining.
“ Aerospace, healthcare, advanced manufacturing and skilled trades are experiencing tight labor markets – too few workers have the specific skills, certifications and readiness these industries require. That reality is driving the shift toward a true‘ cradle-to-career’ approach: recognizing that the future aerospace engineer, nurse, machinist or electrician begins as a kindergartner who needs strong early literacy, exposure to career pathways and consistent support throughout their education.”
“ A‘ cradle-to-career continuum’ is really about walking alongside children and families through every stage of life,” says Kymberly Cook, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of the Children’ s Home Society of Florida, a nonprofit whose mission includes ending Kymberly Cook
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