Five Questions

As Southwest Florida continues to grow, attracting new businesses and industry to the area, the Southwest Florida Workforce Development Board (SFWDB) becomes an increasingly crucial resource. A partnership between business, labor, education, community and government services, the 37-member board allocates up to $10 million in federal and state funds to local businesses each year. Executive director Joe Paterno started with the board in 1984, but he's been running programs like this since 1975. "We are not run by a bureaucratic organization," he says. "Our board evaluates what the business community and what the people need, and then puts the money into their hands."

1. What kinds of programs does the Southwest Florida Workforce Development Board offer?

We offer programs and services to both businesses and citizens. For businesses we offer screening services for potential employees, skill-upgrade training, funding for on-the-job training, workshops, and a wealth of information relating to wage, benefits and personnel issues. Citizens are provided a single location through our Career and Service Center network to seek out job prospects, skill development workshops, career counseling and job training.

2. What are the trends you see in our area?

We've been extremely fortunate; growth, expansion and diversity of our labor market have been ongoing for the past several years. The past hurricane season had a bit of an adverse effect, but our businesses have recovered in short order.

3. What are local employers looking for?

The vast majority of our employers are primarily interested in a work force with the skills necessary to interact effectively with existing employees, while having the mental capacity to learn the essential functions of a position within a given period of time.

4. How has the need for a trained work force changed over the years?

The Hudson Institute conducted a survey that revealed 60 percent of new jobs in the early 21st century will require skills possessed today by only 20 percent of the present work force. Technological advances and a transitioning work force are challenges faced by us and our education system. Our economic development offices and chambers of commerce have added stability and diversity to our labor market by bringing high-skill, high-wage career opportunities to our market, which raises our average wage, but also raises the qualifications required for these positions.

5. How does the SFWDB implement education into its programs?

Many of our services involve free workshops for both businesses and citizens at our Career and Service Centers. We have a computer lab at our Fort Myers location offering free refresher training using Microsoft Office programs. Other programs help to advance education by helping people acquire a High School diploma, learn English, even get an Associate or Bachelor's degree. For employers we offer customized and employed worker training.