Keiser: Economy of the future will need human talent

The chair of Workforce Florida’s board told a luncheon audience Tuesday in Tallahassee that “the new economic currency is talent” and that there is no better place for the state and communities to make an investment that will support future business growth.

Belinda Keiser, who is vice chancellor of community relations and student advancement for Keiser University, spoke at the Professional Women’s Forum at the Civic Center, outlining her thoughts on developing the kind of world-class talent that will build the state’s economy.

“Technology drives our innovation, but we know that human talent makes our growth and competitive edge happen,” she told the gathering, a program of the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce that was sponsored by Premier Bank.

Keiser University, which has 18,000 students and nearly 40 locations in Florida, has its own focus on technology. A Keiser campus in Central Florida offers courses aimed at the emerging biotechnology field, she said.

Keiser is the second-largest producer of licensed practical nurses in the state and sixth largest producer of registered nurses. It was the first in the nation to offer an online bachelor’s degree in business taught in Spanish, Keiser said.

She encouraged local businesses to get involved in the schools and support education at all levels.

Composed of 47 members from various fields and professions, the Workforce Florida board directs the state’s own efforts at developing the labor force. Some work is done through the state’s 800 career academies that expose young students to various professions. Other projects identify the skills that employers need in their personnel, and how workers already in the labor force can expand their training and move up the career ladder.

The rate at which technology advances and the competition for skilled workers only adds to the urgency.

“It drives the point home that we are in a race. We are in a competitive race for talent and Americans are known for creativity and leadership, and so this is a call to action,” Keiser said.