What does Southwest Florida’s ideal future workforce look like and what’s the path to get there? Those were among the questions tackled Tuesday during a conversation at the Florida Economic Development Council conference at Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa in Fort Myers. Five panelists discussed developing a skilled workforce, working with different community partners, developing a regional approach and bringing philanthropy to economic development.
The effort of the FutureMakers Coalition was the undercurrent of part of the conversation, so it’s important to define its mission. The goal is to increase the number of people in the five-county region with college degrees and post-secondary certifications and credentials to 55 percent by 2025. It is estimated to be 38 percent today.
