Comments on: Study: Northwest Florida Behind In Work Skills, Education

By: Sage 2

Sage 2 — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 00:24:41 +0000

With reference to the lady(@mary) referencing Rick Harper and Judy Bense….
A school, be it a pre-K or university, it should be about EDUCATION and not business entrepreneurial endeavors.

UWF purchased Scenic Hills Country Club and golf course and it seems to have a $277k deficit last year. Colleges and universities may teach business practices, but really don’t know Jack about the real world of business. The same applies to education classes. Graduates in the field of education are not prepared for the real classroom experience. The first few days a new teacher has in the classroom is probably better than five methods classes, taught by someone who was not successful in the classroom, but could be a good “facilitator” in a college class.

All that shines is not gold or silver and for the leadership and board of trustees of UWF to continue to support these impractical and unfunded endeavors is absolutely insane.

As for the football team and that program…sack it too. Higher education is a joke when you dumb down the requirements to enter and support egotistical endeavors and leadership. Set a standard for excellence! Maybe UWF’s new motto will be
“Onward to Mediocrity”, admit all… and then cull the herd.

If there is not a competent leader in the house, find one and quit playing the game of all is well, because the Board of Trustees says so.

North Escambia has an influential voice in this community. People read the postings, opinions etc. Let’s hope those at UWF read and heed.

By: DavidHuieGreen

DavidHuieGreen — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 15:09:00 +0000

Why learn a skill when there’s no local demand for it?
Why start a local business when there’s no skilled people to do the work?

If it pays enough, you can go where the job is.
If you pay enough, they will come.

Problems solved

By: Reality Check

Reality Check — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 07:46:57 +0000

This is exactly why I have moved out of the area. I happen to reside in an area of FL that is on the higher end of this graph. Northwest FL is just not progressive enough to attract the business that would provide these higher paying jobs. The people are far too closed minded and it is starting to show. This is why people move away, and tourists only visit. Every time I do come through on a visit, places like Century and Jay make me realize why I’m only visiting.

By: Will

Will — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 04:45:08 +0000

Unfortunately too many young people around here want to get married and have babies at 19 years old rather than go to college and plan their life. It has improved, but I still see a lot of it. Like someone else mentioned, the brightest minds leave and move to cities like Atlanta and Houston, they don’t stay around here.

By: Edward Connor Jr

Edward Connor Jr — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 01:02:06 +0000

The counties of northwest Florida insist on pushing for jobs catering to the tourism and hospitality industry. These are seasonal low-wage, low-skill jobs and often, these jobs are filled by foreigners on work visas because they cannot find enough local candidates suitable for the jobs. Quite sad.
Anyone who is really bright would never consider living in this area to begin with unless they are lucky enough to find something here that is a high-wage, high-skill job.

By: mary

mary — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 22:55:03 +0000

Maybe Mr Harper should explain this to his boss, Judy Bense. She’s more interested in building motels and restaurants around UWF…again, low paying jobs. Why do they need a college education?

By: Oak Grove Bud

Oak Grove Bud — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 22:43:17 +0000

I remember back in the seventies or early eighties (not sure) Michelin Tire and Miller Brewing Co. were thinking about building their plants in this area…….Michelin is in Dothan Al and Miller Brewing is in Albany Ga. Tourism is more important!!!!

By: chillywilly

chillywilly — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 15:06:10 +0000

Whats the problem, Rick Scott created 700,000.00 JOBS
in Florida. Thats what he says anyway.

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 15:01:07 +0000

I agree with the below comments. I would also like a study on the existing area industrial in our area to see how they support the local economy. It would shock most people. Look at how they spend and hire for construction jobs. most all is out of town support and our local trades / supplies get nothing. we are a tourist town and that all.

By: chris in Molino

chris in Molino — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 12:49:14 +0000

@Jane
Where would they work is right. A true military town with every business from car lot to car wash preying on that guaranteed check. A retirement town. A “customer service” town. A vacation town. Definately NOT an industrial town. (We have Mobile for that) No, in the land of $10/hr jobs, the powers that be (ie; the downtown click) wanna keep it how it is. Maybe even yuppie it up some more.