OEV
Newsletter 

May 2, 2025

County Introduces 1,000+ Students to Skilled Workforce Opportunities at Leon Works Expo

Leon County Government and the Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality connected more than 1,000 high school students to local skilled workforce opportunities at the 10th Annual Leon Works Expo. Students from Leon, Wakulla, Gadsden, Jefferson, Calhoun, Madison, and Taylor counties explored high-demand career paths and engaged directly with nearly 80 employers in the areas of health, business and information technology, creative, trade and more.

Save the Date for the Big Bend Regional Small Business Week Events!

Don't miss the chance to unlock the secrets to business success at the Small Business Week Workshops and Business Exhibit Fair hosted by the Florida SBDC at FAMU at the AC Marriot Hotel in Tallahassee on May 7, 2025, starting at 9:00 AM. From mastering cash flow management to gaining insights on preparing winning proposals, these sessions offer essential strategies for small business owners. Join industry experts for practical insights and actionable advice to propel your business forward. It's an invaluable opportunity to elevate your entrepreneurial journey.

This is part of a week of great activities, including:

Tallahassee-Leon County Graduate Retention Rate

In the 2022–23 academic year, 15,141 graduates completed degrees at FSU and FAMU. Graduate retention was 14.6%, with 11.2% full-time employed in Leon County by Fall 2023. The 11.2% of graduates found full-time employed in Leon County the following fall is similar to the proportion of incoming university students from Leon County (10.6%). This retention equilibrium for Leon County generates continuous renewal of the local workforce and is consistent with the tempo of growth in the local labor force and employment.

Also in the 2022–23 academic year, 2,888 graduates completed degrees at Tallahassee State College and 964 at Lively Technical College. Graduate retention was 29% for both schools, with 16–17% full-time employed in Leon County by Fall 2023.

Kick Off WFSU's 2025 Summer Challenge with Kids' Career Day

Summer Challenge is an annual summer-long event that encourages kids to learn all about the community that works around them! To kick off the Summer Challenge, WFSU is hosting a Kids' Career Day. Join us on May 17, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and be the first to get your Summer Challenge activity book and start earning points for prizes at the end of the summer!

Kids' Career Day will allow young students (PreK–3) to explore the world of work with real-life experts. We'll have visitors from the Tallahassee International Airport, Tallahassee Fire Department, and many more!

Registration is encouraged but not required. We hope to see you there!

Notable News

Tallahassee 'Worlds of Work' event connects grads to jobs, futures with purpose

TaMaryn Waters
Tallahassee Democrat

FloridaCommerce Launches Workforce Initiative to Support Florida’s Broadband Industry

FloridaCommerce
floridajobs.org

Upcoming Opportunities
from Our Partners

Don’t Miss Our Workforce Readiness Event!

Looking to take the next step in your career? The Office of Economic Vitality (OEV) and CareerSource Capital Region (CSCR) invite you to a workforce readiness event on May 6, 2025, from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Smith-Williams Service Center.

This free event is designed to help job seekers gain the skills and confidence needed to succeed in today’s job market. CSCR experts will be on-site providing job search assistance, resume writing and review guidance, and mock interviews to help you put your best foot forward.

Light refreshments will be provided. So come out to enhance your job readiness skills, connect, and prepare for new career opportunities!

IGNITE After Hours

Ready to kick back after a long day? Join us for IGNITE After Hours—a networking mixer where Tallahassee’s brightest minds in business, entrepreneurship, science, and tech come together to connect and unwind.

Thursday, May 29
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
IGNITE Tallahassee (Find on GoogleMaps)

Read Past Issues of the OEV Newsletter Online!

Delve into past issues of the OEV Newsletter to catch up on updates, insights, economic development initiatives, programs, and opportunities in Tallahassee-Leon County!