Florida ranked first again by Lightcast for skilled workforce attraction

Florida has been named the top state for attracting and developing a skilled workforce for the third consecutive year, according to the 2024 Talent Attraction Scorecard released by Lightcast. The report evaluates states on factors such as job growth, education attainment, regional competitiveness, and migration data.

Governor Ron DeSantis commented on the achievement: “Florida set an ambitious goal to be number one in workforce education by 2030—and we continue to march towards this achievement. We’re not just preparing for the future—we’re ahead of schedule, building a workforce ready for high-demand, high-wage careers today.”

The Lightcast report also recognized Florida’s metropolitan areas. Seven of the ten highest-ranked Large Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) are in Florida. These include Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach (#3), Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford (#4), Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin (#5), North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota (#7), Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater (#8), Lakeland-Winter Haven (#9), and Naples-Marco Island (#10). Four Florida regions were listed among the top ten Mid-Sized MSAs: Wildwood-The Villages (#1), Panama City-Panama City Beach (#4), Punta Gorda (#5), and Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor (#9).

“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, we’re creating opportunities for both job seekers and job creators through a strong focus on education and workforce training,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “Florida continues to lead the nation with an economy where workforce and talent development are a priority to our success as we continue to build a future full of opportunity for anyone ready to grow and succeed here in the Free State of Florida.”

Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas noted: “For the third year in a row, Florida has earned the top spot for attracting and developing a skilled workforce. This consistent Number 1 ranking is proof that our talent pipeline is delivering results. We’re committed to keeping this momentum going so Floridians are prepared for high-value careers and businesses have the talent they need to thrive.”

State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues highlighted collaboration efforts: “Florida is a national leader because of intentional collaboration between the state’s business leaders and university faculty shaping curriculum. The State University System of Florida’s 2030 Strategic Plan highlights the importance of university presidents working with industry leaders, attracting top-tier faculty, and preparing students for successful careers. Thanks to Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature's recent investment of $200M to recruit and retain world-class faculty, Florida can remain #1. The Lightcast rankings demonstrate our steadfast commitment to emphasizing degrees that propel students forward and align with Florida’s workforce needs.”

Adrienne Johnston, CareerSource Florida President and CEO, added: “Florida’s top ranking in talent attraction and development for the third year in a row is a testament to our strategic investments in workforce education and our commitment to preparing Floridians for the jobs of tomorrow. At CareerSource Florida, we’re proud to help lead the charge in building a resilient, future-ready workforce that powers our state’s continued economic success.”

Florida achieved sixth place nationally in education attainment—a notable improvement since Governor DeSantis took office—reflecting ongoing efforts to match educational programs with employer needs across sectors.

Since 2019, under Governor DeSantis' administration, more than 3.8 million new businesses have formed in Florida; over 360,700 were created already in 2025 alone (https://www.floridatrend.com/article/38282/florida-leads-nation-in-new-business-formations). Investments have focused on strengthening infrastructure as well as business development.

In his proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget (https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Bolder-Brighter-Better.pdf), Governor DeSantis allocated $726.9 million toward workforce education programs designed to prepare students for jobs that are both high-demand and high-wage.

Additionally, more than $291 million has been distributed through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund since 2019 (https://floridajobs.org/jobgrowth) supporting public infrastructure projects along with workforce training initiatives statewide—resulting in over 30,000 new educational opportunities related directly to employment preparation as well as more than 40,000 new jobs.