In a market like Tampa Bay, growth is everywhere. New buildings. New businesses. New people are arriving every day.
It is an exciting time to operate, but it also puts real pressure on workforce development behind that growth.
If you run a business here, you already know hiring has become more competitive.
The challenge is not just finding talent. It is building teams that can grow and adapt over time.
READ: TAMPA BAY TOP COMPANIES
One thing I have learned is simple: chasing talent alone does not work if you are not equally committed to developing it.
That is where intentional learning and a hire-to-retire mindset matter.
When learning is built into how a company operates, people are better equipped to evolve alongside the business.
Growth becomes sustainable, not reactive, and careers are built with the future in mind.
1. Workforce development should be proactive and programmatic
Too often, training is reactive. Companies lean into it only after a gap appears. Real development works best when it is continuous and intentional.
Technical skills, leadership development and professional growth should not be siloed by department or job title.
When learning is layered over time, people build momentum and confidence as their careers progress.
Clear paths forward increase engagement and help organizations prepare not just for today’s needs, but for what comes next.
2. Expand perspective, not just skill sets
One of the most effective ways to develop people is by giving them exposure beyond their immediate role. That often starts earlier than full-time employment.
Internships, department rotations and cross-functional experiences help build strong pipelines by showing how work flows across an organization and how decisions are made.
READ: TAMPA BAY REAL ESTATE NEWS
That exposure builds something a classroom alone cannot: perspective.
When people work alongside different teams rather than simply observing them, they gain a deeper understanding of how functions connect. In industries where specialization is common, that broader view becomes a real advantage.
3. Build a culture of learning into the work
If development is truly a priority, it must be designed into the organization, not added on later.
Learning is most effective when it is embedded in real work, supported by the right environments and reinforced by roles dedicated to growing people.
Purpose-built spaces matter when paired with intention.
READ: TAMPA BAY BUSINESS NEWS
Environments designed for collaboration, simulation and hands-on application accelerate learning because they reflect how work actually happens.
When people can apply new skills immediately, development becomes practical, relevant and easier to sustain.
At its best, this approach reflects a simple belief: learning should be immersive and directly connected to career outcomes.
4. Careers are not one-size-fits-all
No two careers look the same, and they should not. The idea of a single linear path no longer reflects how people grow.
Skills evolve. Interests change. Businesses shift. Strong organizations understand that flexibility is not a perk. It is a necessity.
That flexibility depends on treating development as a continuous journey supported by ongoing learning and continuing education.
When growth is built into the system, organizations gain more than retention.
They build leadership pipelines, protect institutional knowledge and strengthen long-term performance. When that happens, everyone moves forward together.
By Stephanie Morge, Vice President of Learning & Development, Power Design Inc.