generational poverty.“ Success in the workforce at age 22 doesn’ t happen overnight. It’ s shaped by experiences that begin much earlier: entering kindergarten ready to learn, having stable support at home, access to physical and behavioral healthcare, and caring adults who help navigate challenges along the way.”
And how does the cradle to career ethic translate to boots on the ground?
Joshua Scott, assistant principal at Matanzas High School in Flagler County, has overseen the school’ s Diploma Plus program since its inception two years ago. The program’ s“ personalized learning” focus provides
Joshua Scott
“ opportunities for every student to explore, expand and succeed in high-interest fields or advanced curricula that are relevant to them,” Scott says.
“ Under Superintendent Lashakia Moore, we have made a concentrated effort to alter the public perception of seeing the high school diploma as the finish line. The elementary schools all have Programs of Study, where students participate in hands-on lessons that focus on careers, and guest speakers get students excited and engaged about different career fields.” Middle school Programs of Study“ deepen connections between students and career fields so they are able to make informed decisions about which high school to attend, because each high school offers several unique programs. In high school, students ideally spend three years in their chosen Diploma Plus program, where they have opportunities to get career certifications and access advanced curriculum that will serve them beyond graduation.”
Not all talent pipeline development is focused on the cradle-to-career perspective.
The Economic Development Commission of Florida’ s Space Coast released its Workforce Intelligence Report this year. The report anonymously quoted a director of manufacturing operations at a global aerospace and defense company in Brevard County:“ The pace of innovation in aerospace and advanced manufacturing on the Space Coast is outpacing the pipeline of skilled workers. We need more training programs that are aligned with real-time industry standards, especially in avionics, composites and welding, to stay competitive and continue growing.”
EDC President and CEO Lynda Weatherman requested the EDC board 10 years ago“ to get involved in workforce training. That is almost unheard of in our business.”
The report sought feedback on workforce needs from Boeing, Northrop Gruman, SpaceX and other aerospace, defense and advanced manufacturing companies in Brevard County. One example of the report’ s conclusions: Eastern Florida State College, which has four Brevard campuses, has a“ stakeholder role” that entails aligning its vocational and certification programs with those area industry needs.
Weiss cites such Daytona Chamber initiatives as its Readers to Leaders early literacy program, its Level Up: Professional Skills Summit, and its new Manufacturing & Technology Day, premiering this fall, as efforts to“ deepen employer‐education partnerships and align classroom learning with real‐world careers. Our role is to convene the right partners, keep the focus on long‐term talent, and help ensure that by 2030, those 19,403 net new jobs are matched by 19,403 prepared people ready to fill them.”
Scott says Flagler County schools“ work with businesses and community members to understand what skills are needed as demand changes, so we can adapt our instructional methods to meet that demand.” The Flagler Education Foundation stages an annual career expo, partners with local chambers of commerce and brings business owners, elected officials and community leaders to schools to interact with students and“ see how we are preparing the future leaders of Flagler County.”
“ Business leaders have a unique opportunity to be part of an ecosystem of support and ensure they’ re going to receive the talent they need to be successful,” says Cook of the Children’ s Home Society.“ Whether it’ s through partnerships, mentorship, volunteerism or investment, they can help create opportunities that change the trajectory of a child’ s life, who will one day work in their office.”
Rick de Yampert is a freelance writer living in Palm Coast, Florida. Previously he was a writer for 30 years at daily newspapers in Florida, Tennessee and Alabama.
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