TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis and Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran announced nearly $11 million in funding for the 2021 Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant and Apprenticeship State Expansion Grant recipients. Awarding this funding is a part of Governor DeSantis’ efforts to make Florida the best state in the nation for workforce education by 2030. Including these awards, more than $30 million has been invested since 2019 to expand registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. This grant funding will create opportunities for individuals to earn the high-value skills and nationally recognized credentials necessary for high-earning careers, and support our growing industries and globally competitive economy. “By investing in career training and apprenticeship programs, Florida is expanding opportunities in a way that will strengthen key sectors of the economy,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Through this program, we are offering alternatives to the traditional (and expensive) brick and ivy education experience and helping Floridians obtain good jobs without going into debt. I am proud that we have been able to award these grants for three years, as we continue to invest in creating opportunities for Floridians.”“Under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, we’ve doubled-down on our workforce education initiatives and these grant programs best demonstrate this. Apprenticeships are time-tested training models equipping trainees with the confidence and skills to thrive in high-demand careers,” said Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran. “Apprenticeship programs prepare students for more than an entry-level job. Upon completion, students are prepared for lifelong learning and family sustaining careers.”In partnership with CareerSource Florida, the Department of Education continues to make noteworthy gains, expanding the number of RAPs by 15%. This expansion represents a total of 300 programs with 1,875 apprentices reaching completion and earning an in-demand apprenticeship certificate with an average salary of $52,500.“CareerSource Florida is honored to continue strengthening our workforce with our partners at the Florida Department of Education through the expansion of registered apprenticeship opportunities across the state, helping businesses needing talent and Floridians seeking pathways to great careers,” said CareerSource Florida President and CEO Michelle Dennard. “This significant investment will have an immediate impact on the lives of the Floridians who will benefit from these grants.”Governor DeSantis has worked with the Florida Legislature to secure historic funding for Florida’s students and families, totaling $30 million dedicated to registered apprenticeships through the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant. This year’s awardees, totaling $9.8 million in funding, are: TruMont, LLCFlagler County School DistrictFlorida Training ServicesJacksonville Electrical Joint A&T CommitteeTallahassee Community CollegeFlorida Alcohol and Drug Abuse AssociationSanta Rosa County School DistrictFlorida Gulf Coast Chapter ABC Inc., GNJLockheed Martin CorporationAmSkillsClay County School DistrictPasco-Hernando State CollegeSumter County School DistrictGE Aviation SystemsNet Synergy Virtual Solutions LLCCrisis Center of Tampa BayCommunity Health ITiBuild of Central FloridaDaytona State CollegeSpace TECSt. Lucie County School DistrictSeminole County School DistrictOsceola County School DistrictIndian River State CollegeVolusia County School DistrictCollier County School DistrictMiami-Dade County School DistrictPalm Beach County School DistrictMiami-Dade CollegeHamilton-RykerABC Institute, Inc.Florida International UniversityJunior Achievement of South FloridaNorthwest Florida State College The federally funded Apprenticeship State Expansion Grant consists of two mini-grants designed to support apprenticeship growth and expansion. These mini-grant programs help contribute to Governor DeSantis’ bold vision for Florida to become the number one state in the nation in workforce education by 2030.With a focus on capacity building and outreach to underrepresented populations, the first mini-grant awards include a total of $236,000 to the following RAPs:AmSkillsAutomation and Maintenance Professional Apprenticeship Program, GNJCity of Tallahassee Utilities Apprenticeship Program, INJFlorida Gulf Coast Chapter ABC, Inc., GNJFNGLA Nursery & Landscape Apprenticeship ProgramLake Sumter State CollegeLearning AllianceLorenzo Walker Technical CollegeMarine Industries of South FloridaNorthwest Florida State CollegeSt. Petersburg CollegeTruMont, LLCThe second mini-grant is designed to remove barriers apprentices may face to help them persist and complete their training. A total of $358,217 has been awarded to the following RAPs: Central Florida Childcare EducatorsiBuild CarpentryIndependent Electrical ContractorsLearning AllianceLorenzo Walker Technical CollegeMACCA Manasota A/C Contractors AssociationPlumbing Contractors AssociationPlumbing Industry Professional EducationSt. Petersburg CollegeTechnical Education Council, LLCThe College of the Florida KeysTruMont, LLCFor more information about the Florida Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant Program visit www.fldoe.org/pathwaysgrant. To learn more about the Apprenticeship State Expansion Grant Program visit https://grants.apprenticeflorida.com/.
