Thomas LaFlore

The Education & Industry Consortium held its final meeting of the calendar year. Key discussions included an overview of the Alliance4 Meeting, which serves as a regional model for cross-sector collaboration. A summary of the keynote speaker's presentation from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, focusing on the Economic Outlook and the importance of employer connection, was provided. Updates were shared regarding Career and Technical Education (CTE) initiatives in Volusia County, specifically the expansion of trade programs like welding and plumbing, and a $2 million CAP Grant to enhance Health Science labs. The consortium also addressed membership requirements, noting the need to strengthen business and industry representation, particularly from Flagler and Volusia counties, while clarifying state guidelines regarding Workforce Development Board membership. Meeting logistics confirmed quarterly meetings, with the next one anticipated for mid-February 2026.

The meeting focused on the Industry Workforce Committee Strategies. Strategy 1 concerns securing and managing additional grants and projects, with a shared weblink showing progress drivers. Strategy 2 emphasizes enhancing community engagement through various measurable activities like recruiting events and job fairs. Strategy 3 involves developing a data-driven environment to assess workforce service effectiveness, featuring details on federal, state, and local measures. Strategy 4 outlines developing and implementing a regional workforce plan for Program Year 2025-2026 in partnership with CareerSource Central Florida, with execution planned for Fall 2026. Strategy 5 focuses on implementing sustainable sector strategies in key industries, including insights from the Alliance 4 meeting and Education and Industry Consortium. A discussion also covered legislative concerns, noting that County Commissioners from all three counties have written letters to the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate regarding the situation.

The meeting included acknowledgment and thanks to a retiring member from the Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce. Key discussions involved the operational and financial impact of the recent federal government shutdown and the organization's success in maintaining service continuity. Further updates covered the advancement of the three-pillar Florida Workforce System Transformation Plan. Discussion items focused on success stories and details regarding youth programs, including the Summer and NextGen Success Stories, the Youth Career Exploration Grant creating 'Project Ignite,' and the City of Cocoa-funded 'Cocoa Works' program. Other topics included a workforce-related proclamation presented by Volusia County Economic Development, a review of scholarship distribution by industry, an overview of the Career Center Standards review process, and the final receipt of the Letter Grade Report for PY24-25, showing a grade of A-.

The meeting covered several action and discussion items, excluding the approval of previous minutes. Key discussions centered on the committee's five main strategies for workforce development. Strategy 1 focused on the operation of additional grants and projects. Strategy 2 detailed efforts to enhance community engagement through various recruiting events, job fairs (including specialized events for Manufacturing, Healthcare & Wellness, Veterans, and a rapid response event for Winn-Dixie employees), and partnerships. Strategy 3 emphasized maintaining a data-centered environment to measure service success, including updates on federal performance indicators and business services provided. Strategy 4 involved progress on creating and implementing a regional plan with Central Florida for PY25-26. Strategy 5 detailed the implementation of sector initiatives, highlighted by the Alliance 4 event which included an economic overview from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and panel discussions covering economic development, industry, and workforce development/education.

Key discussions during the meeting included the approval of the President's Completed Goals for Program Year 2023-2024 and related incentive compensation structure, which was unanimously approved with an initial percentage contingent upon future goal attainment. The committee received a Finance Committee Report Out and an announcement regarding a new CFO, Yvonne Kobrin. Significant discussion focused on the ongoing workforce consolidation efforts, including managing two closeouts, two audits, and two state monitorings for the upcoming fiscal year. Updates were provided on the release of a new RFP for youth services in Volusia and Flagler Counties, with a service provider recommendation expected soon. The committee was informed that C2 will assume one-stop and career services in Flagler and Volusia starting July 1st. Progress on consolidation workgroups, a compensation process review by a consulting firm, and the drafting of new bylaws were also reported. Furthermore, updates were given on the expected timeline for interlocal agreements and new designation approvals by county commissions, noting the new region number will be 27 and the provisional name will be CareerSource Brevard Flagler Volusia. The composition of the new board regarding seat allocation (Brevard 13, Volusia 12, Flagler 3) and the requirement for business board members to hold 51% or more seats were shared. Finally, the committee reviewed opportunities to grow the Board's resources.