FMC is a collective impact initiative working along the cradle-to-career pathway to create a skilled and sustainable workforce pipeline. The pathway begins with early childhood learning and ends with post-high school credential attainment and career connections. The coalition focuses on systems change to connect untapped workforce with the education and training to fill in-demand jobs by removing attainment barriers and creating a culture of career exploration and aspiration from an early age. 

FutureMakers aims to transform Southwest Florida’s workforce by increasing the proportion of working age adults with college degrees, workforce certificates, industry certifications and other high-quality credentials to 55% by 2025. Southwest Florida started out behind the nation and the state in percentage of skilled workforce because nearly 60% of working age adults (25-64 years-old) in the region do not hold a credential beyond a high school diploma. About 20% of those individuals started a degree but never finished. 

In 2020, Southwest Florida was designated a Talent Hub by the Lumina Foundation in partnership with The Kresge Foundation and joined 25 other Talent Hubs across the USA. These communities meet rigorous standards for creating environments that cultivate, attract, and retain talent, particularly among today’s students, many of whom are adults, Black, Hispanic, or Native American, students from low-income households, or the first in their families to go to college. 

As part of our focus on education, EPSCF is interested in reducing the barriers to bringing back stop-out students: those students who left school prior to earning enough credits for a degree. The moment EPSCF found out about the outstanding work of FMC, a partnership quickly formed. EPSCF was taken with FMC's commitment to collaboration as the most effective means of delivering long-term, sustainable results. In recognition of collaborative efforts, EPSCF provided funds to FMC, Florida Southwestern State College (FSW), and Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). In Fall of 2020, FutureMakers’ partners at Florida Gulf Coast University’s (FGCU) and Florida SouthWestern State College’s (FSW) piloted a project to identify, contact, and reenroll students who had previously stopped out prior to earning a degree. The pilot capitalized on the opportunity better understand why students stopped out in order to remove barriers to completion and reduce the number of stop-outs going forward. The solution included removing financial barriers associated with returning to college at FSW and debt-forgiveness at FGCU with the goal of re-enrolling stop-out students so they can earn a degree. In addition to financial assistance, both institutions have also implemented other Support like coaching and improved communications to help returning students better navigate their pathways to graduation. 

Using the EPSCF grant, FMC was successful in getting a matching grant from the Lee County Industrial Development Authority (IDA), who were interested in accelerating efforts to increase the number of skilled workers in the region. The work of FMC has been such a success that both EPSCF and the IDA have increased their grant commitment by 10x. 

Several new policies and practices have been implemented at both institutions. Impact since June 2022: 

• 366 additional adults (276% increase) have a FutureMakers Coalition Navigator to walk alongside them as they reconnect to education and training programs to get into a well-paying career

• 288 stop-outs (561 total since pilot project) have re-enrolled at FGCU and 14 degrees awarded (174 total since pilot project)

• FSW has supported the return of more than 150 (upwards of 1,300 total since pilot) formerly stopped out student through the Second Look Initiative.

• Second Look students have earned over 5,000 credit hours (more than 11,500 college credit hours since pilot) since returning to higher education at FSW and produced over a hundred graduates.

• 28 students, who would have otherwise been dropped for nonpayment, have received financial support at Florida SouthWestern State College with Last Mile & Gap funding who would have otherwise been dropped for nonpayment

• 10 students have received support to enter the new GED Pathway program (14 total enrolled)

  • 1/3 plan to earn a certificate

  • 2/3 plan to earn an associate degree

  • 1 already completed their EMT certificate

The initial challenge grant presented by EPSCF has resulted in more than $1M in investment supporting students who face barriers to earning the credentials needed to fill in-demand jobs in the SW FL region. FGCU, in partnership with FutureMakers Coalition, leveraged this pilot project to help secure $22.9M dollars from the Department of Commerce to implement the Southwest Florida Equitable Jobs Pipeline as part of the Economic Development Administration’s Good Jobs Challenge Grant. This was the largest grant in FGCU’s history and a testament to how EPSCF’s investment is impacting the region. The impact of our challenge grant has exceeded all expectations and the three-year investment was well positioned to help the region respond to supernatural challenges presented by Hurricane Ian by providing the foundation for the work that must be done to help recover and rebuild.