A new study by the Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Regional Economic Research Institute highlights a growing challenge in the Gulf Coast’s labor market: a widening gap between employer needs and workforce skills. The findings underscore the critical role of soft skills like communication, customer service, and project management, as well as logistical barriers such as housing and transportation.
Addressing the Skills Gap
The study stems from the Southwest Florida Equitable Jobs Pipeline (EJP), a $23 million initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Good Jobs Challenge grant. The EJP, launched in 2022, aims to train job seekers in key industries—including healthcare, PK-12 education, manufacturing, and logistics—and place them in gainful employment.
The latest survey, conducted from March to May 2024, gathered responses from 111 regional employers across multiple industries. While healthcare had the strongest representation among the EJP target industries, nearly 78% of respondents operated outside those sectors, covering fields like construction, real estate, and banking.
According to the study, employers consistently identified interpersonal skills as the most critical for success. Communication ranked as the top skill (55.1%), followed by customer service (44.2%), project management (41.6%), and social skills (41.6%). Despite the increasing reliance on technology in the workplace, researchers emphasized that human interaction remains essential.
“The ability to communicate effectively, engage with others, and meet deadlines is what employers are looking for,” said Dr. Amir Neto of FGCU’s Regional Economic Research Institute. “We’re seeing a gap between what is expected and what is available in the workforce.”
Barriers to Hiring and Retention
While many roughly 70% of employers reported being able to fill key positions within six months, 30% faced persistent challenges. One of the most significant obstacles was a mismatch between industry demands and available training programs. One in three job applicants lacked the necessary certifications or credentials, contributing to delays in hiring.
Additionally, major external factors such as housing costs (79.7%), transportation (40.5%), and childcare expenses (25.7%) were major deterrents for prospective employees. Many workers also struggled to balance education and family responsibilities while attempting to upskill.
Kelyn Hauser, a Fort Myers resident and nurse, experienced these struggles firsthand. Reflecting on her journey into healthcare, she cited time management and financial barriers as significant hurdles.
“It’s not just about the coursework,” Hauser said. “It’s about finding the money, having childcare, and figuring out how to balance life’s responsibilities.”
Finding Solutions Through Collaboration
To bridge these gaps, researchers emphasized the importance of employer-education partnerships. Aligning educational programs with industry needs, offering mentorship programs, and expanding access to online and on-the-job training could help address shortages in skilled labor.
Organizations like CareerSource Southwest Florida are also playing a role in reshaping hiring practices. Amy J. Hanna-Eckenrode of CareerSource noted that workplaces must adapt to a multi-generational workforce, particularly as Gen Z professionals enter the job market.
“Our workforce is changing,” Hanna-Eckenrode said. “Gen Z workers are often misunderstood, but they are hardworking and eager to prove themselves. Employers need to be flexible and bridge the communication gap between generations.”
Nonprofits such as FutureMakers Coalition, which operates through the Equitable Jobs Pipeline, are also working to connect job seekers with employers. By removing barriers and offering career pathways, these initiatives aim to strengthen the local economy and provide more opportunities for Southwest Florida residents.
For Hauser, programs like FutureMakers made a crucial difference in her career trajectory.
“Without FutureMakers, I wouldn’t be here today,” she said. “They don’t care about where you came from—they just want to help.”
As Southwest Florida’s job market evolves, initiatives like EJP and employer-led training efforts will be key in ensuring that businesses find the talent they need while workers gain the skills to succeed.