Industry Roundtables: Strengthening Workforce Solutions Through Partnership

The Putnam County Chamber of Commerce recently completed the second round of Industry Roundtables, bringing together employers and an impressive network of service‑provider partners committed to supporting our local workforce. This round demonstrated just how powerful collaboration can be when businesses and resource organizations sit at the same table.

Employers from multiple sectors shared real‑time insights on hiring needs, training gaps, and operational challenges. Their perspectives were complemented by active participation from our workforce and education partners, including CareerSource Northeast Florida, St. Johns River State College, Putnam County Schools, and several community‑based organizations focused on training, recruitment, and support services. Together, employers and service‑provider partners worked side‑by‑side to offer practical solutions, share program updates, and identify direct opportunities for connecting businesses with the workforce resources that can help meet their needs.

The strong turnout and high level of engagement underscored the value of these roundtables as a forum for collaboration. Service providers gained a clearer understanding of employer priorities, while businesses left with actionable information and new connections to support hiring, retention, and skill development.

We are grateful to all participating employers and partners for their commitment to strengthening Putnam County’s workforce ecosystem. This second round of discussions continues to build momentum, and we look forward to advancing the ideas and partnerships that emerged.