Supportive Talent Ecosystem

Northwest Florida’s most significant workforce asset is the 3,000 service members that separate from our 6 major military installations each year. This well-disciplined group has valuable workforce skills from engineering to IT to maintenance.

Moreover, our educational institutions and industry associations partner with companies to offer industry certifications and customized training. Funding can also be made available to support upskilling. And, our local school districts have programs in place to ensure you have a talent pipeline to meet your growing needs.

Your company can benefit from an expansive workforce pool in Northwest Florida. Currently, one-fifth of our workforce regularly commutes more than 50 miles to work and is not burdened by congested roadways. Northwest Florida’s talented workforce is ready to start work today and grow with you tomorrow.

Choose your location, choose your workforce

Choose your location, choose your workforce

Labor Shed Population Comparable to
FGNW Region 1,179,000 Birmingham, AL Area
Pensacola Region 516,000 Chattanooga, TN / Mobile, AL
Ft. Walton Region 293,000 Roanoke, VA
Panama City Region 179,200 Columbus, GA / Biloxi/Gulf Port, MS
I-10 Corridor 58,800 Warner Robbins, GA / Valdosta, GA


The region has easy commutes. See a map of drive times for each region.


Region Population
1,179,000


Immediate Growth 2021 – 2025
11.3%


Expected Growth by 2050
51.3%


Labor Force
508,000+


Labor Force Commuting Radius w/i Proximity to Population Centers
1,000,000+


Annual New Military Retirees
3,300

 

Employment Across the Region & Growth Projections

UWF Hass Center, 2023

 


Median Age
40


Adults with Educational Attainment Beyond High School
62%

 

Five CareerSource Regions Connecting Jobs Seekers to Employers


 

MILITARY ADVANTAGES

Not only are there over 130,000 former military personnel living in Northwest Florida, but the region is also home to over 60,000 active-duty military and civilian employees because of our generations of military assets.

Our six military bases are focused on:

  • Aviation and Aerospace
  • Research & Development
  • Testing & Evaluation
  • Maintenance
  • Training & Support

On average, 3,300 service members are transitioning to civilian status annually from our Northwest Florida bases each year. These service members and their spouses are young, uniquely trained, and highly motivated people ready to start the next phase of their life. Many chose to settle in Northwest Florida because of the quality of life found while they have been stationed at one of our bases.

There are numerous programs to connect companies to this hidden talent pool as well as incentivize them, but a couple of resources include:

TALENT PIPELINE

When it comes to workforce, Northwest Florida’s leaders take a Total Talent Solution approach. Not only do you need the workers today, but you must also prepare for your future talent. Visit our Comprehensive Workforce Training page to discover the roots we’re planting in our school districts, nurturing through post-secondary education and training opportunities for Northwest Floridians to reskill and upskill.

Northwest Florida has created a Total Talent Solution that sets your business up for success.

 

CONTACT US

Florida’s Great Northwest is here to provide you the practical, on-the-ground resources and support you need for your business location/expansion project. From incentives to site selection to workforce development, we’ve got the expertise and connections to help your business be even more competitive with a Northwest Florida location.

Contact Us

 

 

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