In this issue: FutureMakers Partner Spotlight, A Working Revolution, Upcoming FutureMakers Events, Data Reports, What to watch and What We Are Reading.

According to a poll of Southwest Florida Human Resource departments conducted in May-June 2020, approximately 36.2 percent of the responding businesses indicated that finding, hiring, and training a qualified workforce during relaunch or within the subsequest 6-12 months is their biggest challenge.

October 2020 ushers in a variety of seasonal changes for Southwest Florida residents – the promise of cooler temperatures and lower humidity on the horizon, preparing for the migration of snowbirds from the north, and the crowning of a World Series champion at the end of a shortened Major League Baseball season. Perhaps the most important October event is the beginning of FAFSA season! Unfortunately, the FAFSA completion rate among Southwest Florida students decreased from 46.1% in 2017-2018 to 43.5% in 2018-2019 and, according to a June 2020 Florida College Access Network (FCAN) survey, about 42% of currently enrolled Floridians said their postsecondary plans have changed due to COVID-19, including taking a semester or year off, starting sooner than planned, or transferring to another school.

an Pallotta, a renowned author and TED talk speaker on philanthropy and innovation, knows how to inspire an audience!  At the annual 2020 Breakfast of Champions Meeting in September, Dan participated in a Q&A session related to the FutureMakers Coalition topic “55%: A Bold Goal” and challenged us to aspire to achieve the impossible.