Ensuring employers have access to qualified workers today, and a pipeline of talent for tomorrow

Focus Areas: Workforce

Workforce efforts focus on the implementation of a regional, industry-led response to the talent deficit in Tampa Bay.

The Tampa Bay Partnership convenes Tampa Bay businesses to more clearly and collectively understand regional talent needs, while giving educational institutions, workforce development organizations and job seekers a better understanding of the skills and credentials that will lead to productive careers.

Data Highlights

79.71%

of adults in Tampa Bay ages 25-64 participate in our labor force.
(Source: 2026 Regional Competitiveness Report)6

$66,671

Average wages for Tampa Bay climbed by 5.14% to $66,671, outpacing national growth rates but still trailing the U.S. average by around $9,000. The region’s rank holds steady at 18th place.

(Source: 2026 Regional Competitiveness Report)

3.47%

Tampa Bay’s unemployment rate for ages 25-64 is 3.63%. The region now is performing better than the national average (3.80%). Year-over-year, Tampa Bay’s unemployment ranking has improved from 14th to 10th, reflecting higher unemployment rates in other parts of the country.

(Source: 2026 Regional Competitiveness Report)

1.07%

Job growth slowed to 1.07%, mirroring national trends, and our ranking improved from 9th to 8th. Charlotte leads the competitive set in job growth with a rate of 2.71%.

(Source: 2026 Regional Competitiveness Report)

5th

Tampa Bay ranks 5th out of 20 comparison communities in New Business Start Rate (12.97%).
(Source: 2026 Regional Competitiveness Report)

About Workforce

34 members from 25 organizations

The Workforce Subcommittee is a subsection of the Talent Working Group which identifies and addresses key vulnerabilities in Tampa Bay’s talent pipeline and makes recommendations to strengthen and expand the hiring pool for Tampa Bay employers. They also increase collaboration and regional perspective in education and workforce governance.

Thomas Mantz

President & CEO, Feeding Tampa Bay

Key Highlights

CareerSource

The Tampa Bay Partnership advocated for a consolidated regional workforce board in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

Tampa Bay Works

Tampa Bay Works was launched following efforts by the Partnership to secure a $300,000 grant from JPMorgan Chase to research and develop an actionable regional workforce strategy.

Employer Collaboratives

The Partnership established two employer collaboratives (in healthcare and manufacturing), representing 30 companies and 75,000 employees in Tampa Bay.

TPM Model

We became the first community in Florida to implement the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s employer-led, demand-driven Talent Pipeline Management® (TPM) model.

Piloted UpSkill Tampa Bay

UpSkill Tampa Bay’s pilot program promoted skills-based hiring in Tampa Bay.

Hiring Best Practices

Encouraged additional investments in career and technical education programs.

Promoted skills-based hiring practices.

Advocated to establish additional career pathways for graduating high school students and promote youth workforce engagement.