FLORIDA: Florida our state faces a shortage of workers with STEM degrees or certifications. As students head back to school this month, I’m reminded that a quality education is quickly becoming the new economic development currency.
Florida’s students no longer compete with students from other states they’re competing with students from other countries. While Florida has seen successful education reforms, more is needed to ensure students are prepared for global competition.
In 2013, 34 of the top 50 U.S. jobs were STEM .Yet only one third of bachelor’s degrees earned in the U.S. are in STEM fields, compared to 53 percent in China and 63 percent in Japan. Currently, there are more than 60,000 unfilled STEM jobs in Florida
A highly educated workforce drives future private-sector job growth. Florida wins when we fight for what’s best for our students. A quality education and workforce development system is the best way to enable all Floridians to compete in a 21st century global economy.
