We are all familiar with trends that portend a troubling prognosis for our state if we fail to build up the workforce development pipeline in health care. The Employ Florida Banner Center for Health Sciences represents our effort to bring education, workforce development, economic development and industry leaders to the same table to create innovative programs that expand training opportunities for people interested in working in health care and those already employed in the sector wishing to advance their skills and knowledge.

The Banner Center for Health Sciences is one of 11 programs financed through a Workforce Florida initiative to create and provide rigorous and relevant new training for workers in industries that diversify Florida's economy. Industries served by other Banner Centers include Alternative Energy, Aviation/Aerospace, Biotechnology, Career Academies, Construction, Digital Media, Energy, Health Sciences, Homeland Security, Logistics & Distribution, and Manufacturing. These Banner Centers are expected to grow into leading, go-to resources that industry and those seeking to launch or advance their careers in these high-skill, high-wage sectors can rely on for top quality training.

The Banner Center for Health Sciences represents not only a significant step in our efforts to meet the current and future regional demand for more skilled health care professionals, but also positions Valencia and all its partners to take on a greater leadership role in tackling the statewide personnel shortage in the allied health and nursing fields.

This is an Employ Florida Banner Center sponsored in part by Workforce Florida, Inc.