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Development board envisions Space Coast as a 'learning culture'

by Kathy Hagood
Brevard Technical Journal

Linda South, executive director and chief executive officer of the Brevard Workforce Development Board. Photo by Craig Rubadoux, © 2004.

The shelf life of a technical degree is about 10 years. Without continuing education, an engineer's knowledge soon becomes obsolete and his or her employability diminishes.

A company, on the other hand, can lose its economic viability within only a few years as technological innovations are being introduced at an ever more rapid pace.

For those reasons Linda South, the executive director and chief executive officer of the Rockledge-based Brevard Workforce Development Board, envisions the Space Coast becoming a "learning culture."

"New technologies are constantly emerging. Companies and employees that take advantage of them are the most successful," South said. "Those who aren't willing to make the effort get left behind in the global marketplace."

South has been working for years to convince area employers and workers of the value of life-long learning.

"The world has changed. It used to be you learned how to do a job and you did that job pretty much the same way until you retired," South said. "Now most of us are constantly being challenged to learn new skills."

Many Brevard County organizations and employees have listened to South's continuing education mantra and are pursuing training opportunities.

"Any time a company adds a new technology, to get the most from it, they have to invest in training their employees," South said.

South works with the Brevard County School Board, local colleges and universities and training companies to ensure the right training coursework is available to the local workforce.

She also works with the Economic Development Council of Florida's Space Coast to determine needs.

The board of directors for her organization includes leaders from the school board, local secondary education institutions, the EDC and major area industries.

"It doesn't really do anyone too much good if people are developing skills that aren't in demand now or won't be in demand," South said. "We are always watching trends in the job markets."

South's public/private partnership is best known for the Brevard Job Link, which puts together employers and potential employees. The link was created in 1994 to serve as a one-stop career center.

"It's our most visible product in the community, but it's only part of what we offer," South said.

The board also provides other support to the business community, including incentives for businesses to train workers. The board will shoulder part of a company's training costs.

Free training programs are available for those with technical degrees who are seeking continuing education in-demand fields such as biotechnology, plastics and aerospace.

In addition, free training is available for less-skilled job seekers such as those who are interested in becoming certified nursing assistants.

"We cover the full range of the workforce spectrum but we target our efforts," South said.

The board focuses its efforts on five key industry areas: healthcare, aerospace, manufacturing, transportation/logistics, and financial/real estate/insurance.

"We seek to help fill the gap between what skills are needed in the workplace and what skills are available in the workforce," she said.

The board is able to do that in part because of grants South and her team has won. She is proud of the fact that although Brevard only has 2.7 percent of Florida's labor force, her group has won 20 percent of the competitive grant money available.

South is proactive in making sure her staff is well trained. Annual employee evaluations include a professional development plan for the year.

"If someone isn't interested in continuing education our organization isn't the right fit for them," South said.

Because of the need to keep her people properly trained, she created a subsidiary organization, Dynamic Works Institute Inc. The not-for-profit training company, which is located adjacent to the board headquarters, has grown to become an e-learning training institute for workforce professionals in 47 states.

South was honored in 2003 for her work in creating the institute, earning the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals Advancement of the Profession Award. South has also been honored with a Hammer Award from the National Partnership for Reinventing Government.

Walking her talk, South continues to strengthen her own skills. She's currently a student in the Executive MBA program at Rollins Crummer Graduate School of Business.

The MBA will serve as an enhancement to her education and experience, she believes. South has a bachelor's degree in professional administration from Barry University. She began working with business and education partnerships in the early 1980s and has 18 years experience in executive management in the financial and automotive services industries.

South served on the organization's board of directors before coming on staff in 1995.

"I thoroughly enjoy challenging myself by learning new skills and concepts," she said. "I'm applying the lessons I learn in my MBA program every day on the job."

South has a 25-year-old son, Neil, and a 2-year-old grandson, Devin. She enjoys sailing and riding motorcycles in her free time.

"My grandson is my pride and joy," South said.

For more information on the board, visit www.bwdb.org