The Southeast Volusia Manufacturing and Technology Coalition (SEVMTC) understands that success depends on the right people with the right skills. That’s why we’ve committed ourselves to workforce development as the bedrock of what we do, preparing local workers for manufacturing and technology careers that actually pay off for both employees and employers.

A well-trained workforce is not just a good thing. It’s the difference between companies that grow and companies that struggle. Here are five tangible ways our workforce development activities have real impact for Southeast Volusia businesses.

You Hire Workers Who Are Ready and Able to Do the Job

There’s the obvious one to start: qualified workers are hard to come by. Really hard. You can’t simply post a job for a CNC machinist or a process engineer and hope to be inundated with interested candidates. There is a real skills gap, and it is costing companies time and money.

That’s where SEVMTC comes in. We partner directly with institutions like Daytona State College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and CareerSource Flagler Volusia to design training and credentialing programs that teach workers exactly what you need them to know. Not a suite of generic skills, but the specific technical know-how your company needs.

That means when you hire, you take from a pool of job-ready candidates who already know the essentials. You can fill a position faster and get new hires up to speed more quickly. And when customers come flooding in and you want to ramp up operations? You have qualified workers on hand instead of vacant chairs and delayed orders.

Yes, Skilled Workers Are More Productive

Here’s something you’ve heard before: a worker who knows what they are doing gets more done. But the productivity gap between adequately trained and well-trained workers is larger than most people might think.

Employees with strong technical skills in today’s industry technologies and processes work not only faster but smarter. They put out their own fires. They suggest improvements. They sustain quality as they boost production.

SEVMTC encourages vocational training and apprenticeship programs that allow employees to gain practical, hands-on experience with the actual tools, systems, and procedures they will be using on the job. This kind of practical knowledge means they hit the ground running rather than requiring several months to stumble through a learning curve.

The bottom line? Increased productivity and competitiveness. Your skilled workers become an asset, not just a cost center.

Your People Actually Stay

Turnover is a silent profit killer. When you lose someone, you’re not only losing that employee. You’re losing the money you spent to recruit them, the time you invested in training them, and the productivity you had achieved with that person. It costs employers an estimated 16 to 20 percent of a worker’s annual salary to replace that employee. Now do that math across numerous positions, and it adds up fast.

The good news: When workers have sought-after skills, they are more engaged and satisfied in their jobs. They are challenged by more complicated tasks. They envision growth in their career at your company rather than having to leave for it.

This kind of engaged, fully trained workforce is made possible by SEVMTC’s workforce initiatives. The result? Improved retention rates which will save you substantial money and make your long-term growth strategy sustainable. With a stable staff, you can focus on building your business rather than constantly trying to backfill slots.

Strong Workforce Attracts More Companies (And That’s Good for All)

One of the first things that manufacturers and tech companies ask when we discuss moving or expanding to Southeast Volusia is this: “Can we find the workers that we need?”

That is why a strong local workforce isn’t just a boon for existing businesses. It’s necessary for getting new ones. When we can point to specialized training programs, strong academic partnerships, and a steady pipeline of talent, it makes the decision to come here a lot easier.

Every new manufacturer that chooses Southeast Volusia brings high-paying jobs to the area and strengthens the entire regional economy. A talented workforce is a tide that lifts all boats, attracting business investment that benefits everyone: more suppliers, more opportunities, and more economic stability.

You Can Actually Keep Up With Change

The manufacturing and technology sectors don’t stand still. New equipment, new processes, new technologies. And if your workforce can’t adjust, you get left behind. Fast.

That is where continued workforce development becomes crucial. Short-term credentialing programs enable workers to rapidly acquire skills in emerging technologies such as robotics, 3D printing, and advanced data analytics. This isn’t just nice-to-have knowledge. That’s what drives your process improvements and product innovations.

In today’s highly competitive global marketplace, your capacity to innovate and meet customer expectations is tied to the ability of your workforce to learn new skills. Continuous workforce development keeps Southeast Volusia manufacturers at the forefront of their industries instead of playing catch-up.

What Makes SEVMTC Different

Here’s the thing: lots of organizations talk about workforce development. Where SEVMTC differs is in the way we actually do it.

We don’t invent programs and try them out in a vacuum. We talk regularly with area employers to learn what skills you actually need, where the gaps are, and what would make the largest immediate impact. We then work with schools and workforce agencies to close those gaps. It is an employer-led system, so the programs we invest in yield real business results.

We also work across the entire regional workforce development ecosystem (Daytona State College, CareerSource Flagler Volusia, and others) to ensure that programs align with each other and resources get used well. Our expertise as manufacturers helps everyone focus on what really matters.

Get Involved and Help Determine What Happens Next

The more Southeast Volusia manufacturers and tech companies that are involved in SEVMTC, the better we can customize programs to what you truly need. We urge you to get involved in whatever way is right for your business.

Some ways to get engaged:

• Become a member of our coalition Participate in employer surveys and focus groups.

• Share data on skills demand and hiring plans.

• Host student site visits or paid internships Serve on training program advisory boards.

• Sponsor scholarships for workforce education.

The more local companies that participate, the better we can design programs to fuel development of specialized talent and help firms make the most of emerging opportunities.

Contact SEVMTC today to learn about partnership opportunities for supporting a strong talent pipeline in Southeast Volusia.