Local Workforce Development Boards Are Building Florida’s Future-Ready Workforce

Across Florida, the future of work is changing fast. New technologies, emerging industries, and shifting demographics are redefining what it means to have a future-ready workforce, one that is agile, skilled, and aligned with the needs of employers today and tomorrow. 

A future-ready workforce is more than a collection of trained workers. It is a coordinated system where education, business, and community partners come together to ensure every Floridian has access to the skills and opportunities needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving economy. Being future-ready means preparing people not only for their next job but for the next generation of work. 

Florida’s 21 Local Workforce Development Boards Convening for Impact 

Florida’s 21 Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs) are leading that charge. Every day, they serve as conveners and catalysts, bringing together employers, educators, training providers, and community organizations to strengthen the local economy and expand opportunity. 

From the Panhandle to the Keys, LWDBs are:

• Aligning workforce training with regional industry needs. 

• Connecting jobseekers to in-demand careers through targeted upskilling and apprenticeships. 

• Supporting youth and career changers as they navigate emerging career pathways. 

• Leveraging federal and state investments, including WIOA and the REACH Act, to deliver measurable results. 

Each board tailors its strategies to local conditions because Florida’s economy is not one-size-fits-all. The workforce needs of Miami differ from those of Marianna or Manatee County. Yet all 21 boards share a common goal: ensuring Florida’s people and businesses are prepared for the opportunities of tomorrow. 

Partnering with Business to Power Growth 

A future-ready workforce can only be built in partnership with business. LWDBs collaborate directly with thousands of Florida employers, large and small, to understand their talent needs, develop customized training solutions, and deliver the skilled workers that power our state’s growth. 

Through initiatives such as apprenticeships, incumbent worker training, and on-the-job training, LWDBs help businesses recruit, train, and retain top talent. These programs do more than fill open positions; they strengthen companies, improve productivity, and expand opportunity across entire communities. 

When businesses succeed, communities prosper. Every job created through these partnerships strengthens local economies and contributes to Florida’s standing as one of the most dynamic and business-friendly states in the nation. 

Building Florida’s Future, Together 

The Local Workforce Development Boards are not just responding to today’s challenges. They are building the foundation for tomorrow’s opportunities. By convening partners, aligning resources, and innovating workforce solutions, Florida’s 21 LWDBs are ensuring that the Sunshine State remains the best place to live, work, and do business. 

Because when we invest in people, we invest in Florida’s future. 

Joshua Matlock, FWDA President