Where Workforce Meets Water | Dr. Courtney Taylor | TEDxSouthern Miss

Blue Economy & Workforce Challenges - The blue economy is growing, but the workforce is significantly underdeveloped [1] - Mississippi needs 19,000 additional workers in the blue economy sector by 2035, exceeding current production capacity [10] - Current funding models do not prioritize the trades and blue economy jobs needed for the future [10] Proposed Solutions & New Model - Advocate for a new model that rewards institutions for producing more talent in needed fields [8] - Suggests integrating career technical education into the curriculum starting in sixth grade [12] - Encourages work-based learning opportunities for students, starting with broad exposure in middle school and allowing motivated 11th graders to enter the workforce or post-secondary education [15][16] - Industry partners need to actively define required competencies and workforce needs [25] Mississippi's Blue Economy Potential - Mississippi has over 82,000 miles (approximately 131,967 kilometers) of rivers and streams, equivalent to circling the globe three times [5] - The blue economy in Mississippi is a $30 billion (USD) per year industry [19] - The blue economy accounts for 42,000 jobs in Mississippi, and globally it represents a $3 trillion (USD) industry with 100 million jobs, expected to double in 5 years [19]