Florida’s complex workforce will have to embrace skills in technology and innovation in order to stay competitive.

In a report released Thursday by The Florida Chamber, a pro-business advocacy group responsible for protecting Florida’s Constitution from special interest groups, Floridians will need to gain new skills in order to compete with other states.

The Florida Workfoce 2030 was prepared through a series of roundtables, surveys, and research.

“To build America’s best workforce in Florida, we must prepare students for global competition. That means better aligning programs and standards with future job demands, training and attracting the best and brightest for advancement and new careers, and increasing economic prosperity for all Floridians – starting with our youngest learners,” said Mark Wilson, President and CEO, Florida Chamber of Commerce.

While report maintains that 92 percent industry leaders are poised to hire, however, 81 percent of employers are increasingly concerned about the lack of employability skills. On top of this, the findings show that 77 percent anticipate changes in core technologies, workforce generational shifts or artificial intelligence will disrupt their business.

Though Florida workers will need to close the technology gap, the report offers solutions that include more emphasis on apprenticeships and overhauling the state’s education by encouraging high schoolers to earn at least one high-quality, industry-recognized certification to ensure that they graduate with career and workforce competencies that are valued by employees.

Today’s report was presented to Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran, Senate President Bill Galvano, House Speaker Jose Oliva, and members of the Florida Talent Development Council which was established by DeSantis to develop a coordinated, data-driven, statewide approach to meeting Florida’s needs for a 21st-century workforce.

Corcoran, who continues to lead Florida’s new educational standards, praised today’s research.

“I applaud the Florida Chamber’s focus on workforce education and supporting Governor DeSantis’s goal of becoming the number one state in the nation for workforce education by 2030. With Florida’s population growing to more than 26 million by 2030, it is imperative that we focus on building a talented and highly skilled workforce to fill the jobs of the future. I look forward to working with the Governor, Legislature and Chamber to ensure that goal,” said Corcoran.