EVOLVE Business and Professional Magazine February 2020 | Page 29

for as high as 94% automation. Sales, on the other hand, is
relationship-based and is both high-growth and less susceptible
to automation.
How do you future-proof your skills? How do you stay
relevant in today’s fast-changing landscape?
Regardless of who you are or what you do, you need to
embrace lifelong learning.
According to the Brookings Institute, the traditional model in
which people focus their learning on the years before they reach
twenty-five years of age, then get a job and devote little attention
to education thereafter, is rapidly becoming obsolete. The type
of work we do at age thirty is likely to be substantially different
from what we do at ages forty, fifty or sixty.
Constant learners embrace the 5-hour rule – one hour each
work day focused on deliberate learning. Michael Simmons
wrote, “If you’re not spending five hours per week learning,
For those who have or are investing in continued learning,
there is good news. Powerful forces are investing heavily in the
workforce of today (and tomorrow). The current administration;
our Governor; the Florida Chamber of Commerce; and our
schools are all working to help the workforce of today meet
current demands for skills. They are also anticipating the demand
for skills that the workforce of the future will need in order to
remain relevant. Efforts to fortify current and future workforces
include apprenticeships, on-the-job learning, classroom
education, and other opportunities .
And for those who have not kept up with their job-related
education, it’s never too late. While a job change may be
necessary for workers who have fallen behind, in today’s tight
labor market, willing workers will always find employers who
provide training.
you’re being irresponsible.” Knowledge is the new money.
This isn’t new. During the height of the Great Recession,
Robin King became the President & CEO of
CareerSource Flagler Volusia in 2013, after a
24-year tenure in this organization. Robin rose to
the leadership role after holding a series of key
positions; her experience includes grant writing,
project management, planning, management
analysis, procurement, and contract management.
many of those walking through our doors were there because
they were stuck. They had not been investing in their continued
education and as a result their skills were no longer relevant in a
competitive market. These individuals became what we define as
the long-term unemployed, because they failed to recognize that
lifelong learning was foundational to their future.
DAVID C. SCHANDEL
PRESIDENT & CEO,
FLORIDA HEALTH CARE PLANS
IT ALL ADDS UP.
Dave Schandel began his career at the accounting firm of
Ernst & Young, serving hospitals and insurance companies.
When one of his clients bought Florida Health Care Plans in
the 1990s, he was invited to join the FHCP team. From Vice
President/Product Development – to Executive Director – to
CFO – he has tracked some impressive numbers…all the
way to becoming President & CEO of Florida Health Care
Plans. It has been a rewarding career, and fortunately for
us it includes Dave’s service as a member of Team Volusia’s
Board of Directors.
TEAMVOLUSIAEDC.COM
386.265.6332
INVESTOR SPOTLIGHT
FEBRUARY 2020 | 23 |