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TREASURE COAST, FL – New ideas, new connections and a renewed focus on helping people succeed returned to the Treasure Coast with CareerSource Research Coast (CSRC) staff following the 2026 Workforce Professional Development Summit in Orlando.

Held for three days in September, the summit brought workforce professionals from across Florida together for workshops, networking and discussions about the future of workforce development. Sponsored by the Florida Workforce Development Association, this year’s theme was “Building Florida’s Future Ready Workforce: Aligning People, Partnerships & Possibilities.”

For CSRC staff, the value was in finding practical ideas they could bring home for job seekers, employers and community partners.

Artificial intelligence was one of the summit’s most prominent topics. Staff explored how AI can improve efficiency while considering where technology ends and human connections begin.

Annette Stager, Lead Workforce Career Coach with CSRC’s Youth Connections division, said the summit reinforced both sides of that equation.

“AI can assist us, but it can never replace the human connection,” Stager said. Listening, building relationships, showing empathy and being present remain essential. She also returned with ideas for using AI to improve tasks such as case documentation.

Dianne Funkhouser, WIOA Career Planner with CSRC, saw similar potential. A first-time attendee, she learned how AI applications can streamline daily tasks, leaving more time for what she called the “personal/human side” of the work, while improving communication and customer service.

For Kate Sayger, CSRC Program Coordinator, a session led by Leslie Samuel on using AI to work smarter was especially memorable. She learned practical ways to personalize AI tools for projects and everyday responsibilities.

Luis Bello, CSRC Network Technician, also focused on practical AI use. A CareerSource Suncoast presentation on Copilot AI showed how another region is integrating the technology into workflows, including tasks involving staff access to state systems. Bello followed up with the region’s IT leadership to learn more about its implementation, reinforcing the value of learning from other workforce boards and partners.

Marie Gilliom, CSRC Customer Service / RESEA Specialist, attended for the third time and focused on another side of AI: privacy, personal information and what happens when technology and human judgment do not agree. She also found information on Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment, or RESEA, and Florida Ready to Work useful.

Registered apprenticeships were another major theme.

Sayger noted that workforce boards elsewhere in Florida are involving multiple programs in apprenticeship growth instead of leaving the effort to one department, incorporating apprenticeship goals into programs such as Wagner-Peyser, WIOA and Veteran Services.

Kurt Hawker, CSRC Business Navigator, returned with a broader understanding of Florida’s apprenticeship strategy and collaboration between workforce programs and employers. Conversations with professionals from Palm Beach, Jacksonville and Central Florida allowed him to compare approaches, and he has already shared apprenticeship training information with colleagues.

The summit also reinforced that better workforce services often begin with how staff communicate with and understand the people they serve.

Emily Villegas, CSRC WTP/SNAP Career Planner, who works directly with SNAP Employment and Training participants, said one of her biggest takeaways was meeting participants where they are and helping them move forward one step at a time.

She returned with ideas for connecting individuals with training, employment and supportive services. One message stayed with her: case notes should “tell a story.” Documentation should reflect a participant’s progress, challenges and journey toward employment, not simply record that an interaction occurred.

Staff also benefited from hearing how workforce professionals across Florida are addressing many of the same challenges seen locally, including employer needs, skill gaps, transportation barriers and participant engagement.

For Funkhouser, one benefit she found was something not on the workshop agenda. She said the summit expanded her knowledge and professional network, while one of the most memorable parts was getting to know CSRC coworkers outside the office.

Bello, also a first-time attendee, appreciated the chance to step outside his routine and connect with peers, though he hopes future summits include more sessions geared toward IT and regional security roles. He returned determined to be more proactive in using AI tools, including meeting-summary features that can free staff to focus on work requiring human judgment and expertise.

Across all seven reflections, one theme was consistent: AI is becoming part of workforce development, but its value depends on using it thoughtfully to support, not replace, the human side of helping people.

For Treasure Coast job seekers and businesses, that professional development has a local purpose. Whether someone is looking for employment, exploring training or a new career path, or a business needs help with hiring, workforce development or connecting with qualified talent, CSRC staff are bringing new knowledge and strategies back to the community.

CareerSource Research Coast offers these services at no cost, connecting businesses and job seekers with workforce professionals, resources and opportunities designed to help them move forward. Visit CareerSource Research Coast to learn how the team can help with your next step.

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