Northwest Florida Manufacturing Academy Task Force
WHAT: The creation of the Northwest Florida Manufacturing Academy Task Force. This Task Force will be set up
through the NWFMC, with leadership from both UWF and the NWFMC Education & Training Committee. This
Task Force will be comprised of:
 A representative from Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Franklin, Gulf, Jackson, Calhoun,
Holmes, Washington, and Liberty County School Districts;
 A representative from Pensacola State College, Northwest Florida State College, Gulf Coast State College,
and Chipola College;
 A representative from Career Source Florida, Career Source Okaloosa/Walton, Career Source Gulf Coast,
and Career Source Chipola;
 A University of West Florida Point of Contact and support; and
 A Northwest Florida Manufacturers Council Point of Contact and support.
WHY: The NWFMC worked with the Florida legislature for funding of a NWFL regional manufacturing academy
network to build interest in and foundational knowledge/skill for entry into manufacturing careers. This program
envisioned establishment of sets of middle school/high school manufacturing academies plus potential of mobile
resources to support all academies (originally conceived as 6 sets in region). The University of West Florida has
received funding from the Florida legislature for this purpose.
WHERE: It is envisioned that sets of academies will be implemented in each of the following districts/regions to
match concentrations of manufacturing establishments/employee base: Escambia, Bay/Franklin/Gulf, Okaloosa,
Santa Rosa, Walton, and Jackson/Calhoun/Holmes/Washington/Liberty. Note: Each sub-region will implement
programming in a way that best meets that sub-region’s needs.
County
Escambia
Bay
Okaloosa
Santa Rosa
Walton
Jackson
Holmes
Washington
Gulf
Calhoun
Liberty
Franklin
Grand Total
Number of
Manufacturing
Establishments
231
149
148
90
49
25
14
10
8
7
6
6
743
Number of
Manufacturing
Employees
5,214
3,511
3,333
677
385
564
113
*
39
*
284
127
14,571
*These data are confidential due to one firm making up 80% or more of the employment in this industry.
Source: Florida Dept. of Economic Opportunity, Bureau of Labor Market Statistics, Quarterly Census of
Employment and Wages program.
HOW: The Task Force will be the organizing entity for the planning and implementation of the Regional
Manufacturing Career Academy Network. To serve this purpose, the Task Force will:
 Plan regionally with all partners for the successful implementation of the Academy Network.
 Develop MOU’s between the NWFMC, UWF, school districts, and other potential partners where
academies will be implemented to outline key responsibilities of each party. Subsequent performancebased contracts will be developed when funds transfer to districts for implementation of academies.
 Work within each district/sub-region with manufacturers, school district, state college, and regional
workforce board representatives to determine the most appropriate school locations/models for
academy implementations using proximity to manufacturing establishments and availability of instructors
and labs as key considerations. It is possible that sub-regions with multiple districts may choose to
expend the funds in ways other than the standard implementation of 1 middle school and 1 high school
academy.
 Building off of the initial budget proposal (which was developed from both experience from
implementation of the first set of middle school and high school academies in Escambia County and from
benchmarking of academy best practices), identify additional implementation options and finalize the
plan forward for each district/sub-region of Northwest Florida.
 Build career pathways for students from middle school through high school, technical centers, state
colleges, and universities into manufacturing careers. Leverage the following in this process:
o statewide articulation agreements
o stackable certification and degree programs
o federal investments into state colleges and universities in the region for related programming
o NAM and MAF endorsed manufacturing pathways
o Manufacturing Institute’s Skills Certification System
 Establish timelines for and coordinate the planning and implementation of the network of academies, to
include coordination of significant industry engagement coordinated through the Council to include:
o Program marketing & recruitment
o Program Advisory Council leadership
o Industry experts as guest instructors
o Facility tours through National Manufacturing Day/Month and other events
o Provision of equipment and materials
o Work-based learning opportunities (internships and apprenticeships)
o Student mentoring
o Professional development for the academy instructors, including the creation of the Northwest
Florida Manufacturing Teachers Network, which will provide peer-to-peer opportunities for these
instructors to learn from each other and to engage in learning opportunities with Council members
 Report to and seek guidance from UWF and NWFMC leadership in this process.
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