New Statewide Council to Focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Education and Skill Development to Bolster Florida Business and Career Opportunities

Workforce Florida and Enterprise Florida have announced the creation of a statewide council to strengthen the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills of Florida’s students as a way to address the increasing demand for jobs requiring strong foundations in these areas. The Florida STEM Council, funded by a $580,000 grant from Workforce Florida, will connect education, workforce, business and economic development leaders to identify opportunities to build and measure the state’s supply of workers with skills and knowledge in these fields to support innovation in existing and emerging industries.

“The STEM Council is going to be an important asset in our ongoing efforts to maximize resources and collaboration in Florida to cultivate industries such as life sciences, aerospace and alternative energy, among others, that strengthen and diversify our state economy,” said Workforce Florida Chair Belinda Keiser. “By fostering these skills, which are demanded by today’s marketplace as well as tomorrow’s, we are helping to grow our state’s advantage in the global competition for world-class talent.”

The grant will be used to conduct a series of regional forums to engage stakeholders and better align and coordinate STEM education efforts across Florida. It will also provide for externships for teachers and professors, giving them opportunities to learn more about how to apply STEM curriculum that prepares students with relevant skills to meet business needs. Internships also will be available to students studying STEM disciplines to introduce them to career opportunities and bolster efforts to retain such talent in Florida.

Also participating on the council will be the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Florida Council of 100 and Florida education leaders K-20, including representatives from the Department of Education as well as public and private colleges and universities, and others.

Industries that already have been identified as targets for the STEM Council include life sciences, aerospace, energy, manufacturing, information technology and homeland security and defense.

Related posts:

1. Increased Florida exports is goal of new $1.1 Million training partnership
2. State organizations support economic stimulus for small businesses bill

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Posted by admin on Jun 30 2009. Filed under Business, Employment, Schools. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry