Country Club Living - Palm Beach North - April 2026

4 C O U N T R Y C L U B L I V I N G - PA L M B E A C H N O R T H | A P R I L 2 0 2 6 Business Profile Building Tomorrow’s Workforce Today - By Noel Martinez, Chair, Florida Association of Chamber Professionals; President & CEO, Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce - - Photos provided by Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce - N ot long ago, I sat with a local employer who said something that stuck with me. “We’re growing,” they told me. “The opportunity is here. I just need to know the talent will be here too.” That conversation wasn’t unique. I hear versions of it every week. Across Palm Beach County, businesses are expanding, innovating, and investing. But alongside that growth is a shared concern: how do we ensure the next generation of professionals is prepared and chooses to build their future right here at home? Workforce development isn’t just a business issue. It’s a community issue. It’s about whether our students see opportunity here. It’s about whether our employers feel supported, and ultimately, it’s about whether our region moves forward together. That’s why the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce is launching Collegiate Leadership Palm Beach. This initiative was born from a simple belief: we cannot wait until graduation to introduce students to the workforce. If we want to retain talent, we must engage early. Collegiate Leadership Palm Beach connects college students directly to the industries driving our regional economy. Through curated site visits, industry panels, and direct interaction with hiring employers, students gain firsthand exposure to healthcare, technology, hospitality, finance, marine industries, advanced manufacturing, and more. But exposure alone isn’t enough. Today’s employers consistently tell us they are looking for emerging professionals who understand workplace expectations, can communicate effectively, think critically, and lead with confidence. That’s why this program emphasizes both hard and soft skill development, from budgeting and interviewing to professional presence and leadership growth. We are not just informing students. We are preparing them. And we are not doing it alone. Collegiate Leadership Palm Beach is led by a dedicated task force co- chaired by Corey Sabin and Palm Beach County Commissioner Maria Marino, whose leadership exemplifies the collaborative spirit that defines Palm Beach North. Together with local employers, educators, and community partners, they are ensuring the program reflects real workforce needs and measurable outcomes. Strong communities don’t grow by accident. They grow because leaders make deliberate choices. If Palm Beach County is going to stay competitive, we have to be intentional about preparing and keeping the workforce that fuels our economy. Collegiate Leadership Palm Beach represents more than a new program. It is a long-term investment in our region’s economic vitality. It strengthens the bridge between education and employment. It reinforces our commitment to keeping opportunity local, and it sends a clear message: the future of this region belongs to those who are willing to prepare for it. As we continue building Florida’s Prosperity Coast®, preparing and retaining our next generation of leaders will remain at the forefront of our work. Because tomorrow’s workforce isn’t coming. It’s already here. And it’s our responsibility to lead it forward. To learn more about Collegiate Leadership Palm Beach and how to get involved, connect with the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce at www.pbnchamber.com or email us at info@pbnchamber.com.