Aerospace companies aren’t struggling to find opportunities in Florida anymore. They are struggling to find workers. That was the message on Wednesday as Space Florida and the Okaloosa County School District launched a new academy program aimed at attracting high school students to train for aerospace jobs.
The Space Florida Academy Program connects high school students with industry-recognized certifications and career pathways in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, logistics, and other technical fields. This program is designed to meet growing workforce demands across Northwest Florida, where aerospace growth tied to military installations and private industry continues.
Why Okaloosa County?
Okaloosa County currently ranks number 2 per capita in Florida for aerospace projects. With military bases like Eglin AFB, Northwest Florida is “fighting above its weight class” in respect to aerospace demands.
Robert Long, President and Chief Executive Officer of Space Florida, says,
“You have leading aerospace and supply chain industries right here already that can grow even more.”
Long specifically praised the area’s military expertise, technical workforce, and community support for the defense and aerospace industries. He went on to emphasize that Northwest Florida has an existing manufacturing ecosystem ready to grow further.
With aerospace firms shopping for states right now, Florida is competing with Texas, Alabama, Ohio, and California. Long argued that Florida is winning because companies want predictable policy and long-term partnerships, a proven formula in Okaloosa County.
Workforce is the Central Issue
The biggest challenge is not attracting aerospace companies anymore; it’s finding enough skilled workers to fill the technical jobs that are already available. Some of those jobs include welding, logistics, cybersecurity, manufacturing, and semiconductors.
These jobs align directly with the Academy’s selection of classes. Long states, “Industry came in and said, ‘Here’s our master credential list … these are the areas that are specific to the aerospace industry where, if you have people graduating with those skills and certifications, then we can likely employ them.”
Long goes on to say, “If you go to the Space Florida Academy program and you’re working on the credentials identified with that program, you will be ready for aerospace industry jobs.”
The Partnership
Space Florida provides the statewide workforce strategy with industry connections, a credential framework, employer alignment, and program infrastructure.
The Okaloosa County School District is providing the students and classrooms designated for these career tech programs. Okaloosa County also provides the implementation of these programs inside the schools while coordinating with the local workforce.
Marcus Chambers, Superintendent of Okaloosa County Schools, is the education leader making the workforce pipeline actually happen on the ground. Chambers frames the partnership as an economic opportunity for the students, as well as a benefit to the local workforce economy.
Chambers Said, “By aligning our programs with industry needs, we are not only preparing students for success after graduation but also strengthening the future workforce right here in Okaloosa County.”
With the aerospace industry continuing to grow in Florida, opportunities seem limitless. For local students, this partnership could open pathways for high-wage careers that once seemed out of reach. Earning a livable wage in Northwest Florida remains a top priority for many local families. Partnerships like the one between Space Florida and the Okaloosa County School District appear to offer a promising, nontraditional path toward helping students and families thrive.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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