GUIDING PRINCIPLE The business community must partner with stakeholders and policymakers to advocate for adequate resources to help recruit, develop, and retain talent in Tampa Bay. Plans must be in place today to market and train the workforce of tomorrow. Every child deserves a world-class education and business need an available trained workforce. Ensuring Florida’s children have access to the best schools and that parents have a choice in their educational career is imperative to success. 1. EARLY LEARNING Prioritizing access to early learning opportunities and programs by increased investment and attention has always become the way to prioritize early learning access opportunities and programs with a focus in K2,K3, and VPK programs. Amend School Readiness eligibility criteria for working families to align with Florida’s changing economy Establish School Readiness reimbursement rates methodology based on cost of quality care instead of market rates Allow School Readiness providers to receive base reimbursement in excess of their private pay rates to meet program standards Prioritize education opportunities and create incentives for early learning teachers to ensure successful outcomes for their students We ask the legislature to support early learning programs Learn more: http://elcpinellas.net/about/ https://www.ed.gov/early-learning/research 2. SUPPORTING STUDENT AND PARENT CHOICE IN EDUCATION Support quality school choice and education for parents and students with Magnet, Charter and Fundamental options. Support inclusion of innovative educational concepts, such as Arts, Technology, Engineering, throughout Florida’s education system. We ask the legislature to support student and parent choice in education Learn more: http://fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/ 3. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Advocate for increased attainment and quality training programs ensuring a talent pipeline for employers. Support state funding of programs administered by Pinellas County Schools (K-12) and local higher education institutions focused on skills training and trade development, specifically USF, St. Petersburg College and Pinellas Technical College. Continue to work closely with legislative, education, business, and workforce leaders to champion the best possible education and talent system for Pinellas County in order to close the skills gap and train for a globally competitive marketplace. We ask the legislature to support state funding of programs administered by local school boards and higher education institutions. Learn more: http://www.floridajobs.org/local-workforce-development-board-resources https://www.urban.org/research/publication/understanding-local-workforce-systems