Educators, businesses form bonds that should help growth in Manatee County

Sharon Hillstrom, the president and CEO of the Bradenton Economic Development Corporation, made it clear Wednesday that for the county to grow successfully, those planning the growth had better form a cooperative bond with educators.

Hillstrom, speaking at the "State of Talent" luncheon hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance at the Polo Grill and Bar, said Bradenton Economic Development is working with its "partners," the University of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee; the State College of Florida, the Ringling College of Art and Design, New College of Florida and Eckerd College.

When Hillstrom makes contact with a business planning a move to the area, she can explain she has a cooperative effort among educational institutions to educate future employees for that business.

She also noted that "90% of new job creation comes from businesses already here."

So that means those educational institutions must understand the needs of local businesses as they grow and be committed to those businesses.

Hillstrom said many of the new positions involve STEM (science, technology, engineerings and math), and the colleges are adapting.

The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee has adapted by changing the way it prepares its students for the future.

Terry Osborn, a regional vice chancellor for USF, told the crowd his university has designed a career success map to prevent "local brain drain."

Osborn said universities need to work harder to identify the kind of field a student wants to make a career and find whether the field matches the student's strengths. "We have to think about careers on the first day (of college)," he said.

The hope is the university will better guide a student on a path that will translate into a career. 

Instead of regular guidance counselors, the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee is hiring "career advisors" real-world businessmen and businesswomen who can describe work environments to students so they can make better decisions about their future careers.

Daisy Vulovich, an associate vice president for the State College of Florida, said her institution listens to the needs of local companies and then adapts in terms of degrees offered. They are offering more information technology education, more web development and more database administration.

She asked, "How do you get a 17-year-old excited about risk management?"

Vulovich said the college needs to explain to students about the opportunity in a growing field in the area and the fact they can land a job.

She looked at the crowd and said, "Your needs are reflected in the services we offer."

Other speakers were Dave Auxier, the director of the career resource center for the Boys and Girls Club of America, and Erik Sander, the executive director of FlexStation of the University of Florida.

The event was moderated by Jeff Maultsby, the director of the Office of Business and Economic Development of Sarasota County.