LABELLE — On Oct. 18, the Hendry County Economic Development Council (HCEDC) announced the selection of VisionFirst Advisors to evaluate and provide workforce recommendations to support the ongoing expansion at Airglades International Airport. The report will help identify the skills that will be required of employees in transportation and logistics occupations and provide high-level strategies to collectively plan for future workforce needs.

VisionFirst is a Florida-based, economic development consulting firm that provides services focused on state, regional and local economic development strategy, workforce intelligence and location advisory services.

The goal of the assessment is to support the recent announcement by Airglades to develop a state-of-the-art perishable cargo airport and full- service logistics center. The airport expansion will support international and domestic perishable growers, perishable importers, e-commerce fulfillment centers, production providers, wholesalers, retailers, carriers, allied organizations, and the public.

“Miami International Airport is currently the busiest airport in the nation and ninth in the world for international freight. The continued growth of the freight industry, combined with space limitations in Miami, positions Airglades as desirable alternative location, but we must ensure our workforce can support potential employers,” said Lillie B. Rentz, Airport Director. “This assessment is the first step to understand the existing workforce and what programs we need to offer to reskill and upskill our residents.”

With a focus on transportation and logistics industry needs and occupations, VisionFirst will approach the project through three main data analysis, synthesis, and consensus phases.

1. Does the region have the workforce it needs today?
2. Is the workforce reliable, skilled or able to be trained?
3. How can the region ensure a steady talent pipeline for the future?

“The ongoing transformation of Airglades International will offer numerous job opportunities in export/import, refrigeration, storage, transportation and logistics,” said Keitha Daniels, Director of the HCEDC. “This assessment will give us the data we need to ensure our residents and our community benefit from the airport’s growth.”

Keitha Daniels, Director of the HCEDC. “This assessment will give us the data we need to ensure our residents and our community benefit from the airport’s growth.”