Action groups with goals to link schools and employers have sprung up across the country; Sarasota now joins the movement.

Sarasota business leaders are taking the next steps in education and training with the Talent4Tomorrow Partnership leading the way. The partnership is designed to help facilitate conversations between young students and business leaders in the county, thus preparing them for the workforce.

After months of research and focus groups, the Talent4Tomorrow team officially gathered at the end of January to begin polishing the group’s goals and deadlines. With a number of hurdles to jump, the group hopes to select a handful of initial priorities, including:

• Increasing the number of graduations and certifications
• Offering more job shadowing programs
• Allowing for school field trips to interesting workplaces

The Talent4Tomorrow Partnership is comprised of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation; the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce; the Sarasota County School District; State College of Florida; University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee; Ringling College of Art & Design; the Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County; New College of Florida, and the CEOs of PGT Inc. and Sun Hydraulics Corp.

For the region, these “cradle to career” programs can ensure success for their students. In addition to the motivation and preparation aspects of the mission, the group could also become a contributor in funding STEM programs in Sarasota schools—a effort partner Gulf Coast Community Foundation has already begun. From an economic development standpoint, these programs could produce more qualified members for the workforce, as well as inspire them to find work within the region after graduation.

Read more about Talent4Tomorrow from the Herald Tribune.