Partnering for Progress

Janet Ware | 10/1/2007

In the Bioctechnology BANNER Center's cleanroom simulator, a trainee is instructed on aseptic techniques that are essential for employment in the biotechnology industry. [Photo: Workforce Florida]

The success of any business — especially in today’s highly competitive, global economy — depends in large part on the caliber of its employees. So when the time comes to make decisions about where to expand or relocate, savvy companies — regardless of size or industry sector — put workforce issues at the top of their priorities.

---

Expanding

In 1990, Florida’s labor force numbered around 7 million workers. By 2006, it had grown to nearly 9 million, and it continues to expand with the arrival of approximately 250,000 new workers each year from other states and foreign countries.

Highly qualified

Florida’s labor pool is strong in many sectors, but especially in high-tech industries. According to the AeA Cyberstates 2007 report, Florida’s high-tech industry added 10,900 jobs in 2005, bringing the industry total of high-tech workers to 276,400. Furthermore, Florida ranks as America’s 4th largest and 2nd fastest growing cyberstate by tech industry employment.

Highly skilled

Customized programs and incentives such as Quick Response Training, Incumbent Worker Training and the newly created, industry-specific Employ Florida Banner Centers, help ensure that skilled workers are available to meet the needs of Florida’s leading industries. And site selectors are taking notice. Expansion Management magazine ranked Florida’s workforce training programs among the top three best in the country in 2007.

Well-educated

From Florida’s renowned public and private colleges and universities, community colleges and technical institutions comes a steady stream of job candidates equipped with the knowledge and skills that today’s businesses need most. Florida ranks 11th among all states for the number of workers with advanced degrees and, since 2000, the number of Floridians with associate, baccalaureate or post-graduate degrees has increased at nearly double the national rate.

Culturally diverse

Florida’s workforce gets top marks for both cultural and linguistic diversity. More than 3.2 million Floridians were born outside the United States, and many speak one or more of 90 different languages with particularly strong representation in Spanish, Portuguese and French.

Business-friendly

Florida is one of only 10 states with a constitutionally mandated right-to-work provision. Only 5.4% of Florida’s total workforce is unionized and, at 3.2 %, Florida has the nation’s 3rd lowest unionization rate in the manufacturing sector.

Adding to these workforce-related reasons for choosing Florida is one more: ease of access. Since passage of the Florida Workforce Innovation Act in 2000, all of Florida’s workforce services — state and local — are linked together under the umbrella brand “Employ Florida.”

Enter the system through a regional workforce board, at a local one-stop center or from the computer terminal on your desk and you are connected to a full spectrum of workforce services unlike any other.

Tags: North Central, Business Florida