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Port St. Lucie/September 12, 2019 – If a “Help Wanted” sign has taken up permanent residence on your physical and digital bulletin boards, your company has a few remaining days to take action.

A coalition of business groups, led by the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County (EDC), is conducting the 2019 Treasure Coast Skills Gap Study. A critical part of the study includes online employer surveys, available through September 20 at https://youredc.com. Employers throughout the Treasure Coast are urged to log on and complete the survey.

“This is the opportunity for companies to take a front-row seat in identifying, creating and directing resources that can fill the ranks of open positions with skilled talent,” said Patricia Gehant, managing principal of Gehant & Associates, a firm that specializes in connecting business and education to foster talent development.

The survey is just one part of a process that includes stakeholder interviews, focus groups and development of actionable recommendations.

“The initial Skills Gap Study conducted in 2017 helped us identify the issues our employers were having in recruiting qualified staff, then we used that information to begin to bridge those gaps,” said Pete Tesch, EDC president. “This study will help us build on those efforts to create a stronger labor force.”

The study will assess the skills needed in healthcare, manufacturing, aviation, marine, skilled trades and logistics as well as gauge the progress made since the 2017 study. Development of apprenticeship programs, career conferences, high school counselor industry tours, boot camps and a scholarship program for certificate programs are just a few of the initiatives that grew out of the 2017 study, said Tesch.

The Skills Gap Study is funded through the EDC with support from CareerSource Research Coast, the Indian River Chamber of Commerce, and Bank of America. Outreach partners include area chambers of commerce, the Economic Council of Martin County, the Business Development Board of Martin County, the Treasure Coast Builders Association, the Treasure Coast Manufacturers Association, and the Marine Industries Association.

About the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County
The EDC is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting economic vitality in St. Lucie County through the attraction, retention and expansion of businesses in the community. The EDC works in partnership with local governments and the private sector to advance its goals of creating more and better-paying jobs for residents, broadening the tax base and improving St. Lucie County’s economic quality of life. Contact the EDC at 772.336.6250 or http://www.youredc.com.

Treasure Coast Business is a news service and magazine published in print, via e-newsletter and online at tcbusiness.com by Indian River Magazine Inc. For more information or to report news email staff@tcbusiness.com