Future-Focused Research to Build Florida’s Talent Pipeline from Cradle to Career

One of the most important ways in which we can help Florida leaders lead the Florida 2030 Blueprint mission is providing regular research and analysis of the metrics that matter to securing Florida’s future. As Florida’s growth and demographics change, the 2024 Florida Migration Trends Report provides an analysis of why current growth is slowing, why outmigration has increased, and what Florida can do to secure its future as not only a nationally dominant economy but, as the Florida 2030 Blueprint outlines, a top 10 global economy by 2030.

The Florida Workforce Needs Study 2.0 is a landmark study that serves as a sequel to the Florida Workforce Needs Study 1.0, diving deeper into the challenges faced by Florida job creators in their quest to find the right talent match. The study builds upon the Florida Chamber Foundation’s ongoing efforts to analyze and proactively address the skills gaps and opportunities present in the Florida labor market.

The Florida Workforce Needs Study 2.0 presents a multifaceted analysis of the key factors influencing the attraction and development of the right talent in Florida. It examines various aspects such as in-demand soft and technical skills, availability of training resources and funds, and legislative measures to meet the workforce needs of Florida employers. According to US News and World Report, Florida has the number one rated college and university system in America and our PreK-12 system is in the top 10.  The next step for Florida is to align the needs of our job creators with our top-rated training and education partners.

Florida needs to create 1.3 million new jobs by 2030.

Florida’s employers face an all-too-familiar challenge: finding the right people, with the right skills, at the right time.

The Florida Talent Center Data Hub, developed by the Florida Chamber Foundation in partnership with the Helios Education Foundation, is an easy-to-use platform that compiles hundreds of data points across the cradle-to-career continuum.

Whether you’re a startup, small business, or growing enterprise, this guide gives you everything you need (including ready-to-use templates) to launch or improve your internship program.

As Florida advances toward becoming a Top 10 global economy by 2030, a major factor in achieving this goal is ensuring Florida’s workforce possesses the essential math skills to meet the demands of an evolving job market. The Florida Chamber Foundation’s report, Aligning Math Education to Workforce Needs: Insights From Florida’s Employers is a complementary follow-up to the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Math Matters: Bridging Gaps for Florida’s Future Workforce report and combines data from statewide focus groups and surveys with business leaders, educators, and parents.

This report provides recommendations for supplementing curriculum with practical, “real world” applications, early exposure to math-intensive careers, and enhanced industry-education partnerships to address resource disparities and improve workforce alignment.

Math proficiency is a predictor of student success—and essential for a prosperous career in one of Florida’s top 30 in-demand jobs. The Florida Chamber Foundation’s report, Math Matters: Bridging Gaps for Florida’s Future Workforce, underscores the urgent need to improve math proficiency across Florida’s schools to better prepare students for success and meet future workforce needs.

Florida needs to create 1.3 million new jobs by 2030.

Florida’s employers face an all-too-familiar challenge: finding the right people, with the right skills, at the right time.

The Florida Talent Center Data Hub, developed by the Florida Chamber Foundation in partnership with the Helios Education Foundation, is an easy-to-use platform that compiles hundreds of data points across the cradle-to-career continuum.

As Florida advances toward becoming a Top 10 global economy by 2030, a major factor in achieving this goal is ensuring Florida’s workforce possesses the essential literacy skills to meet the demands of an evolving job market.

The Florida Chamber Foundation’s report 2025 State of 3rd Grade Reading Proficiency in Florida provides a comprehensive look at statewide and county-level data trends, demographic disparities, and the direct link between early learning and workforce outcomes.

As Florida advances toward becoming a Top 10 global economy by 2030, a major factor in achieving this goal is ensuring Florida’s workforce possesses the essential literacy skills to meet the demands of an evolving job market.

The Florida Chamber Foundation’s report Florida’s 2024-2025 Kindergarten Readiness Report provides a comprehensive look at statewide and county-level data trends, demographic disparities, and the direct link between early learning and workforce outcomes.

Lack of affordable and accessible child care is the #1 reason parents with children under 6 leave their jobs in Florida, with 281,000+ working parents departing the workforce in 2024 alone. Barriers to accessing early learning threaten families and businesses across Florida.

Improving early learning and child care access means keeping jobs filled, keeping parents in the workforce, and preparing the next generation of Florida talent for success.

Ensuring Florida’s working families have access to affordable, quality child care is essential to bolstering our workforce and strengthening Florida’s economy. The Florida Chamber Foundation’s policy research report, School Readiness in Florida: How We Can Close the Gaps, examines the case for State Median Income in Child Care Tuition Assistance Eligibility. This change will ensure that more Florida families can access the early childhood education they need.