Strengthen and support the pre-K and K-12 educational systems.
Strengthen and expand the workforce, workforce development, and post-secondary educational systems.
BACKGROUND With a strong educational and workforce system currently in place, Brevard County residents are concerned that this level of excellence continues with appropriate levels of community and financial support. There are concerns about a lack of funding for K-12 school system related to infrastructure and quality educators; and the disparate value placed upon and quality of education provided to students who either immediately enter the workforce or pursue a technical degree upon graduation.
A low unemployment rate, in conjunction with a low labor force participation rate where almost 30,000 working age adults are not currently engaged in the labor force, signifies that the labor market is very tight in Brevard County. As a result, the quality of the labor force and the skills they possess have significant implications for the type and amount of economic development possible in the future.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS This group has been focused on understanding the current knowledge and needs from students’ and teachers’ perspective regarding careers and what it takes to earn a “living wage”. They surveyed students, parents and teachers in the community and the results have been compiled into separate presentations for each survey group.
Also, while recognizing that Brevard County has a high quality workforce, the group is looking at ways to keep an array of job opportunities available to students and the workforce here in our community.
Project Team Leader Hampton Smith, Program & Policy Officer Brevard Workforce Development Board Phone: 321-504-2060 Fax: 321-504-2065
For more information about the Education & Workforce Project Team, contact Brevard Tomorrow at 321-632-8222 or email info@brevardtomorrow.com
