EDC Announces New Platform for Talent Attraction

Created on July 10, 2018

EDC of Okaloosa County Announces New Platform for Talent Attraction
 
Okaloosa County, Fla. (July 10, 2018) — The Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County announced today that it has launched a Talent Attraction web portal focused on promoting Okaloosa’s high skill / high wage employment opportunities to job seekers around the country.  With Okaloosa County now experiencing one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state, employers of all types are finding that they must be increasingly creative in reaching potential employees. 
 
Innovative approaches such as partnering with educational entities, utilizing targeted workforce development programs and recruiting veterans and military spouses are consistently bearing fruit for local employers.  In addition, certain high skill / high wage employers also find that the beautiful Emerald Coast is a strong drawing card for attracting top talent, many of whom already have an affinity for the area or a connection as a current or former tourist.  The opportunity to marry the lure of the Emerald Coast with the talent needs of area STEMM employers forms the premise of the EDC’s Talent Attraction strategy.
 
“As the skilled labor market tightens, organizations involved in STEMM related activities rely heavily on the creative and collective mindsets of our region.  I applaud the Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County for their out-of-the-box thinking strategies!  The new Talent Attraction web portal will be a valuable tool for local companies seeking to recruit the best and the brightest,” said Timothy McDonald, Chairman of the Technology Coast Manufacturing and Engineering Network.
 
The Talent Attraction platform also highlights the community’s quality of life attributes. Employment seekers today are focused on more than just job opportunities; they also want to know about the amenities and lifestyle they will enjoy should they choose to relocate. Okaloosa County offers world-renowned outdoor recreation, award-winning healthcare facilities, leading educational offerings and inspiring arts and cultural venues – all invaluable in attracting talent to the area.
 
“The EDC’s Talent Attraction strategy will serve to complement our support of Okaloosa’s existing industries in their efforts to recruit bright professionals.  In addition, we anticipate that by working to attract more highly skilled individuals and their families to the area, our business recruitment activities will also benefit as talent supply has truly become the new economic development currency,” said Nathan Sparks, Executive Director of the Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County.
 
The EDC’s Talent Attraction portal will be promoted to individual social media and internet users who match the targeted skill needs identified in current local high skill / high wage job postings.  Using innovative geo-targeting approaches, visitors to the Emerald Coast who have the skills and experience required by local STEMM employers will receive “Click to View” options on their smart phones.  The first such campaign ran the week of July 4th and featured a beautiful Emerald Coast sunset with the words “Why go home?”  Interested users could then click to view local employment opportunities.  
 
For more information visit www.florida-edc.org.

Visit the new Talent Attraction Portal
 

About the EDC of Okaloosa County:  Established in 1989, the Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County is a nonprofit, public-private partnership committed to the economic growth and diversification of Okaloosa County and its nine municipalities through existing industry retention and expansion, workforce development and expansion of key industry clusters.
 


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