Aerospace Workshop Sets Course to Develop 21st Century Talent Pipeline

Space Coast, FL – On Wednesday May 24, 2017, more than 50 industry, education, government, regional, state and national stakeholders gathered at Space Florida’s Science Lab to forge a collaborative model to lead an effort ensuring regional employers have access to the talent needed to scale their businesses now and in the future.

While Florida is home to one of the nation’s most robust STEM graduate student pipelines; the fast-paced growth of the aerospace and defense industry, both nationally and locally, provides a unique opportunity to the Space Coast community and business leadership to resolve an emerging challenge within the sector.

Space Florida, CareerSource Brevard and the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, with assistance from Kamm Consulting Group, hosted an Aerospace Workforce Workshop to discuss the talent pipeline. Industry employers, principal academic providers in east central Florida, and other stakeholders worked to map out effective strategies to turn this challenge into additional economic opportunities for the region.

“Florida’s leadership in the aerospace and defense sector positions us to proactively work with all of the nation’s leading aerospace employers and some the nation’s most capable academic and training service providers. Our goal is to develop strategies and collaborative models that will support the workforce needs of our existing employers, as well as insure that Florida continues to be a place that can support the future needs of industry,” said, Frank DiBello, CEO, Space Florida.

“Over the last several years, we have had great success working with our local and state partners to bring high-value employment to the Space Coast region. With that success comes an opportunity to drive a dialogue and develop a robust strategy to create innovative programs that leverage Florida’s commitment to develop a workforce that has the skill-sets to meet the needs of high-tech employers,” said Lynda Weatherman, president & CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast.

“We think the Space Coast should serve as a model for the state and the country and take advantage of the Trump Administration’s focus on job growth, developing workforce skills and apprenticeship programs to strengthen U.S. manufacturing,” said Bryan Kamm, president of Kamm Consulting Group. “We are working with RUAG Space and other European and American companies to introduce a world-class benchmark apprenticeship model that will help the Space Coast begin to grow its own highly technical talent pipeline.”

“A workforce that meets the present and future needs of Space Coast employers is our core mission and in a world where competition for technical talent is intense, we need to be sure we drive innovative programs that build Brevard’s talent pipeline and create opportunities for area residents,” said Marci Murphy, president of CareerSource Brevard.

Immediate next steps are for the aerospace workshop participants to identify specific strategies, with particular focus on apprenticeships, internships and university co-ops; and to identify funding sources to support the efforts.

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About the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast
The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) is dedicated to attracting new business and investment, and expanding existing industry throughout the Space Coast; promoting the Space Coast; influencing change on government laws and regulations; affecting economic development; supporting efforts of Space Coast military installations; and relaying new programs and procedures to assist manufacturing and high-tech companies. The EDC is a private, not-for-profit coalition whose stakeholders are business leaders committed to the economic growth and stability of Florida’s Space Coast. Visit SpaceCoastEDC.org

About Space Florida
Space Florida was created to strengthen Florida’s position as the global leader in aerospace research, investment, exploration and commerce. As Florida’s aerospace and spaceport development authority, we are committed to attracting and expanding the next generation of space industry businesses. With its highly trained workforce, proven infrastructure and unparalleled record of achievement, Florida is the ideal location for aerospace businesses to thrive – and Space Florida is the perfect partner to help them succeed. www.spaceflorida.gov.

About CareerSource Brevard
CareerSource Brevard, formerly Brevard Workforce, is a non-profit, regional public/private partnership under CareerSource Florida. Workforce Boards create local workforce development systems through one-stop career centers which combine multiple federal, state, and local program funds, providing comprehensive services, labor market information and access to resources for businesses and career seekers. Visit www.careersourcebrevard.com or call (321) 504-7600 for more information about our services and resources.

About Kamm Consulting
Kamm Consulting Group, LLC, a Florida based company, specializes in site selection consulting for German, Swiss and Austrian companies. Kamm Consulting further assists its clients and the community to support and address new age workforce skills challenges by adopting skills that align with GAP™ (Germanic Apprenticeship Programs). Kamm Consulting also brings in the expertise of GAP™ Turnkey Partners, Hoffmann Group, KUKA, FESTO, Weiler, EMCO, SIEMENS and EOS to provide standards, curriculum and equipment to support the new age workforce training needs of the local industry.