Florida Leads the Nation in Skilled Trades Demand. Charlotte County Is Meeting the Challenge.


October 19th, 2026

skilled trades workers Florida

Florida needs skilled trades workers more than any other state. That is a key finding from The State of America’s Skilled Trades: A National Report, which the Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades released Sept. 30. For Charlotte County, that demand signals opportunity. In fact, the county is already building the pipeline to meet it.

For employers deciding where to locate, expand or hire, the numbers matter. Equally important is what communities are doing about them, and Charlotte County is taking action.skilled trades workers Florida

What the report found

BlackRock, Carhartt, Ford Motor Co. and Google launched the Alliance in July 2026. For this report, the coalition studied 124 skilled trades occupations across all 50 states. The Burning Glass Institute and Jobs for the Future led the analysis.

Florida earned a demand-pressure score of 95 out of 100, the highest in the nation. In other words, no state offers more opportunity for skilled trades careers. Florida is also one of nine states, including Texas, Georgia and the Carolinas, where employer demand for skilled trades workers is especially strong.skilled trades workers Florida

On top of that, Florida’s trades are growing. The Alliance projects skilled trades employment in the state will grow 12.3% from 2024 to 2034, the fourth-fastest pace in the country. About 26% of Florida’s 1.04 million trade workers are 55 or older. As they retire, they will open doors for new talent. The most in-demand trades include industrial machinery mechanics, tool and die makers, precision instrument repairers, structural iron and steel workers and electricians. In other words, these are the same skills advanced manufacturers and aerospace suppliers rely on.

Nationally, the U.S. will have an estimated 1.7 million skilled trades openings each year through 2035. As a result, communities that invest in training today will have a clear advantage tomorrow.skilled trades workers Florida

Why it matters for employers

For manufacturers, aerospace companies and contractors, access to skilled workers shapes hiring timelines, costs and expansion plans. That’s why site selectors look past land and utilities. Instead, they ask a basic question: Can this community train the workers a project needs? In Charlotte County, the answer is yes.

Florida also continues to attract skilled trades workers from other states. From 2020 to 2024, the state gained a net average of about 3,975 trade workers per year. Even so, the strongest long-term strategy is local training that matches employer needs. That is exactly where Charlotte County is investing.

How Charlotte County is meeting the challenge

In June 2026, Charlotte County Public Schools broke ground on the Southwest Florida Advanced Manufacturing Training Center. The site sits on Woodlawn Drive at Enterprise Charlotte Airport Park, near Punta Gorda Airport. The state approved $1.75 million for the project. In addition, the school district expects to finish construction by July 2027.skilled trades workers Florida

Once complete, the center will house Charlotte Technical College’s advanced manufacturing, CNC and welding programs. Students will train on state-of-the-art equipment. The center will serve both high school students and adult learners, giving them hands-on training and industry-recognized credentials. It also builds on two existing strengths. First, Charlotte Technical College launched an advanced manufacturing program in January 2026. Second, the college already offers FAA-certified aviation maintenance training.

Meanwhile, employers are already moving. For example, Jon Leonard, president of Affordable Roofing and Bullet Products, bought five acres in the airport-area industrial park. His company currently manufactures roofing products in Fort Myers and is now breaking ground on the new site. Leonard told WINK News his company will need employees there. He also called the training center a smart move.

Building talent where business grows

In short, the statewide data shows strong demand, and Charlotte County is answering it. The county now has a dedicated training center at an airport business park. It also has established aviation and manufacturing programs and a school district that serves both teens and adults. Together, these assets build a skilled workforce close to where companies operate.

As a result, businesses looking at Southwest Florida gain access to a growing local talent pipeline in advanced manufacturing, CNC machining, welding and aerospace.

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