Finding good employees is tough right now – let’s just call it what it is. Running a manufacturing or tech company in Southeast Volusia? Then you’ve definitely felt this challenge. You post a job. Maybe get five applicants. One or two might have the skills you actually need. The rest require months of training just to get started.

Here’s the reality: the old way of hiring doesn’t work anymore.

Technology moves at lightning speed. Job requirements get more complex every year. Meanwhile, the talent pool seems to shrink faster than ice cream on hot pavement. But here’s a thought – what if you stopped waiting for the perfect candidate to magically appear?

Help Create the Workforce You Actually Need

Southeast Volusia isn’t just about finding a great location for your business – though we certainly have that covered. Success in expansion or relocation depends on people and community. The good news? Our region offers an exceptional quality of life and beautiful environment that attract talented individuals from across the nation and around the world.

These people choose to live, learn, and work here. Which creates an opportunity.

Instead of crossing your fingers and hoping someone perfect walks through your door, get involved in shaping the workforce you need. That’s where the Southeast Volusia Manufacturing and Technology Coalition (SEVMTC) comes in. When you partner with us, you’re not just accessing training programs – you’re getting a front-row seat to influence what those programs actually teach.

Work directly with institutions like Daytona State College, EPIC Flight Academy, and Burns Science & Technology Charter School. This A-rated, tuition-free K-12 charter school focuses on EiSTEAM education – entrepreneurship, innovation, science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics – using project-based learning that mirrors real workplace challenges.

Help these educational partners understand your equipment, your processes, your standards. The result? Candidates who’ve been trained with your specific needs in mind before they even apply.

Think of it as custom-building your future employees.

Your Current Team Has Hidden Potential

While building that talent pipeline, don’t overlook the goldmine sitting right in front of you. Your current employees probably have way more potential than you realize. They just need the right opportunities to unlock it.

SEVMTC connects businesses with training providers who specialize in the skills that actually matter. Advanced manufacturing techniques that keep you competitive. Industry certifications that boost both credibility and confidence. Leadership development for your rising stars. Digital capabilities that future-proof your operations.

We’ve seen remarkable transformations when companies invest in their existing workforce. Productivity increases. Turnover drops dramatically. Teams become more adaptable when market conditions shift. Plus – and this might surprise you – employees really appreciate when you invest in their growth. It’s one of those rare win-win situations that actually delivers on its promise.

Consider this: Volusia County’s educational institutions awarded over 13,000 certificates, credentials, diplomas, and degrees during the 2018-2019 school year alone. That’s a massive pool of trained talent, and it’s growing stronger every year. Schools like Burns Science & Technology Charter School are already preparing K-12 students with hands-on STEM experience, critical thinking skills, and real-world problem-solving abilities through project-based learning.

These students graduate understanding technology integration, entrepreneurship concepts, and collaborative teamwork – exactly the foundation today’s employers need. Many graduates still benefit from bridge training to meet specific industry requirements, but they’re starting from a much stronger base than previous generations. Your investment in current employees creates expertise that money can’t buy elsewhere.

Building Something Bigger Than Your Business

Workforce development through SEVMTC creates ripple effects throughout the entire region. When your business grows and creates jobs, other companies notice opportunities. More employment means more people relocating to the area. New residents become customers for local businesses. Which generates even more opportunities.

It’s a positive cycle that lifts everyone.

Our region fosters young professionals through dynamic training programs specifically designed to reduce your costs while ensuring productive workforce development. SEVMTC makes this process smoother by identifying grants and funding opportunities, connecting you with other business owners facing similar challenges, and organizing networking events where you can meet potential employees in relaxed settings. As a coalition member, CareerSource Brevard Flagler Volusia provides additional recruitment support, human resource information, and training opportunities – all at no cost to businesses or job seekers.

We also work with companies to create customized training programs. Not generic, one-size-fits-all approaches – programs tailored to your specific operational needs and industry requirements. Through partnerships with organizations like CareerSource Brevard Flagler Volusia, SEVMTC helps reduce your recruitment costs while ensuring you have access to qualified candidates and the resources needed to maintain a skilled workforce.

The employment flow data tells an interesting story too. Southeast Volusia attracts workers who commute into our area, making us a net importer of talent. That means you’re tapping into a broader labor market than just our immediate community.

Multiple Ways to Get Involved

SEVMTC offers flexible participation options depending on your schedule and business situation.

Coalition membership gives you direct influence over program development. Prefer a lighter commitment? Participate in surveys and focus groups. Share insights about skills gaps you’re experiencing. Discuss hiring trends you’re seeing. Both approaches help educational partners understand real-world business challenges.

Want more hands-on involvement? Consider offering site visits for students or creating internship programs. It’s an excellent way to showcase your company culture while getting early access to promising candidates before graduation. Some business owners serve on advisory boards for training programs. Others sponsor scholarships for workforce education.

Each approach contributes to stronger alignment between what training programs provide and what businesses actually need.

The Competitive Advantage Waiting for You

Southeast Volusia has all the right ingredients for thriving manufacturing and technology sectors. Great location? Check. Solid educational institutions? Absolutely. Innovative businesses like yours? You bet.

The missing piece has been better coordination between business needs and training program delivery.

SEVMTC solves exactly that problem. Instead of hoping market forces work things out eventually, you can take active steps to create the workforce your business requires for long-term success. Companies getting involved now will have significant advantages as competition for skilled workers intensifies.

While other businesses continue posting job ads and hoping for the best, you’ll access a steady pipeline of qualified candidates trained specifically for your industry requirements.

The collaborative work happening between local training, education, and business partners demonstrates something remarkable: our community’s commitment to preparing both students and incumbent workers with skills that meet evolving business needs.

Ready to explore how workforce development partnerships can transform your business operations? Contact SEVMTC today. Let’s discuss practical ways to build the talent foundation your company needs to thrive in Southeast Volusia’s dynamic economy.