Building Resilience through Career Transitions in Orlando

This story highlights how leaders in the Orlando region turned a pandemic-driven economic crisis into a catalyst for long-term, inclusive growth. With its economy heavily reliant on low-wage hospitality and leisure jobs, they accelerated efforts to connect displaced workers with high-quality jobs in advanced manufacturing—offering rapid, accessible training pathways that led to better wages and upward mobility.

Central to this effort is a strong network of partners—Valencia College, CareerSource Central Florida, FloridaMakes, and the Orlando Economic Partnership—who are aligning investments in technology and workforce development while centering the unique needs of displaced hospitality workers, resulting in an inclusive cycle of innovation.

Through a series of key strategies—including intentional recruitment, agile program refinement during crisis, and long-term planning for economic resilience—Orlando is building a more diverse and future-ready manufacturing workforce. Together, these partners are creating durable connections across sectors and building a regional economy that is more resilient, equitable, and inclusive.