The University of West Florida launches the Office of Workforce Development, and UWF President Martha D. Saunders has named Dr. Sherry Hartnett its first director.
- It’s a one-of-a-kind presidential initiative aimed at aligning education with career success and economic growth.
- Dr. Saunders said:
“We envision a talent pipeline that builds on our strengths and addresses the shifting workforce needs of industry and our community. Dr. Hartnett’s leadership and expertise will be instrumental in creating valuable partnerships and empowering our students to thrive in their careers.”
Why this matters:
The University intends to work strategically with existing industries to provide a skilled and qualified workforce. The Office of Workforce Development will oversee and accelerate efforts in four strategic areas — workforce planning and alignment, employer development, applied research, and centralized access to UWF talent and programs.
- Dr. Hartnett:
“UWF’s commitment to aligning education with workforce needs is evident in its history of providing educational opportunities that respond to the demands of the state. With this innovative workforce development initiative, UWF is poised to continue its tradition of producing highly skilled graduates who fuel the local, regional and state economies.”
Dig Deeper:
This centralized approach aims to streamline efforts, enhance collaboration and maximize the impact of workforce development programs and services. The initiative will initially focus on three key areas:
• Serving as UWF’s liaison for the development of workforce initiatives, bringing the needs of industry partners to UWF decision-makers
• Creating career pathways for UWF students, ensuring they are equipped to excel in the workforce, and
• Assisting employers in finding skilled workers.