Our region’s economy is highly dependent on workforce preparedness. Widespread skill shortages are impeding economic growth at this crucial time, especially as it relates to the “high-tech” industry. Education, employment, and job training efforts designed to help employers get a skilled workforce and ensured that individuals succeed in the workplace, has to be a priority if we want to diversify and stabilize our economy.
At the recent Regional Leadership Forum held by the Orlando Regional Chamber on October 3, myregion.org unveiled 11 “main themes” that have emerged during the Information Analysis Stage of the project. Executive Committee members will reach consensus on these themes and will use this information to discuss opportunities and threats for the region. The ultimate goal is to develop a regional agenda. Among the topics discussed were the importance of research universities and technology clusters, the importance of K-20 education and the over-reliance on the space and tourism industries.
Click here to view the 11 Main Themes.
The region’s technology sector, along with the military, universities, businesses and tourism are already actively involved in developing partnerships that will help us overcome the wide swings caused by national and global economic trends. As the space program enters its third phase and moves towards the fourth (colonization of celestial objects), the space center is becoming larger and more complex and will have a much greater impact on the region’s economic future. A key player in our region is the Florida Space Authority.
“We are focused on leading the state’s space industry in new directions through partnerships, expanded academic and research programs, and innovative, forward-thinking solutions to the challenges facing this evolving industry,” said Keith Witt, member of myregion.org’s Executive Committee and Co-Chair of the Economy/Workforce Template. As Director of Planning and Customer Support at the Florida Space Authority, Keith believes that “it is important that the business and academic communities play an asserting role in keeping Florida in the forefront of the space industry.”
The Florida Space Authority (FSRI) has developed a partnership with NASA and Workforce Florida, Inc. (WFI) that includes over 1,000 registered “team trainees.” The registrants receive one year of free aerospace-oriented training throughout WFI-sponsored Advanced Learning Environment scholarships. In addition, NASA has sponsored an Aerospace Grant Program for K-12 teachers that provides supplementary funds to implement aerospace education projects within the classrooms. Other programs involve motivating K-16+ students to pursue careers in science, math and engineering and engaging minority and underrepresented students.
To learn more about these and other FSRI initiatives, contact Keith Witt at 321.730.5301 or via email at k.will@floridaspaceauthority.com. You can review workshop notes, comments and data collected on Economy/Workforce, Education or any of the project’s 13 areas of study by logging on to www.myregion.org.
Photo: Keith Witt, Executive Committee member and Co-Chair of the Economy/Workforce Template
