Engineers, digital designers, metal workers, machinists and aircraft mechanics are good for what ails Pensacola.

In the next five years we’ll need 3,242 more of them.

But in important areas, the training and educational pipeline is not matching up to what the workforce will demand.

Those are the findings of the recently released “Gap” Analysis” by the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce and the Haas Center for Business Research and Economic Development.

The report’s findings — released today — look at current and future employment trends to highlight areas of opportunity to improve training and recruiting to improve the Pensacola metro area’s labor market.

The report focused on two industry clusters — advanced manufacturing and information technology — as key to improving the metro area’s labor prospects.

"The Chamber is committed to ensuring that our business community is adequately prepared for an ever-changing global economy," said Greater Pensacola Chamber President Jerry Maygarden. "This comprehensive report can serve as a tool to help encourage our education and business partners to work together to meet the demands our existing key industries, which in turn brings economic prosperity to our region."

In the information technology “super cluster”, the chamber’s study found:

— Since 2010, seven projects have been announced in the cluster, creating a net total of 3,021 jobs and 315 retained jobs.

— Three expansion projects are in the works that will yield 20 net new jobs.

— Two active prospects are on the line.

This cluster is critical to the area’s economy, the analysis says, because of the premium wages it offers to the area, with average earnings of $70,667 a year compared to the average earning per job for the metro area of $46,345.

— Over the next five years there will be a demand for 1,092 people to fill jobs in seven key areas (standard occupations) — computer engineers, computer repair and maintenance, computer systems, digital design, electrical/electronic technology, electrical engineers and electrical installation and repair,

— While education and training programs will produce 1,052 people with varying skills to meet this need, but it will oversupply some disciplines and under-supply others.

— The three critical areas where the local market will produce a shortage of appropriately skilled workers — computer engineers, computer repair and maintenance and computer systems.

— The study recommends cross training for graphical design and software programmers to broaden their marketability; implementing problem solving and critical thinking skills into all school assignments, projects and grading rubrics; developing private apprentice programs for students with a mentoring component.

For the advanced manufacturing super cluster, the study found:

— This includes aviation manufacturing and maintenance, offshore vessel services and technologically dependent manufacturing that combine traditional craft labor skills with technological skills.

— Since 2010, the cluster has seen six projects announced netting 207 new jobs and 39 retained jobs.

— Eight expansion projects and eight strong prospects.

— The cluster draws upon disciplines from civil engineering to welders. The eight standard occupations within these broad categories that are expected to grow in the next five years are aircraft mechanics; civil engineers; communications electronics; electrical; installation/maintenance and repair/industrial machinery repair; metal, plastic and machine work; plumbing; and welding/soldering.

— In the next five years, the market will demand 2,150 people to fill such jobs. However regional educational and workforce training programs are on track to produce 300 trained people in these disciplines.

— Recommendations include researching and implementing best practices, certifications and programs to produce more process technicians, electrical and instrumentation specialists and millwrights.

— Too many training in programs are taught in silos focused on solitary crafts like welding or electrical. The industry increasingly demands a cross-discipline skill sets. Programs at George Stone and Locklin technical centers at Pensacola State College must be analyzed — and adjusted — accordingly.

Download a copy of the analysis here.

[progresspromise]