On November 20, 2019, in News Releases, by Staff
Nearly $3 million in funding dedicated to career and technical education remains available
Tallahassee, Fla.– Today, Governor Ron DeSantis and Department of Education (DOE) Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran announced the school districts, universities, colleges and private institutions who have been awarded with the Florida Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant.
During the 2019 Legislative Session, Governor DeSantis worked with the Florida Legislature to secure historic funding for Florida’s students and families, including $10 million dedicated to career and technical education for the newly created Florida Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant Program. The program provides competitive grants to eligible institutions to create or expand apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. Of the $10 million in state funding, nearly $3 million still remains.
“Ensuring for a talented, well-educated workforce matters for the success of Florida’s economy and the health of our democracy, and I am thrilled to award these institutions with the Florida Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant,” said Governor DeSantis. “By investing in workforce education and apprenticeship programs, we are ensuring Florida’s students will have new opportunities and career paths. I am committed to making sure Florida is on track to being the best state in the nation for workforce education by 2030, and this grant creates the conditions for the talented workforce our state needs.”
“Governor DeSantis has remained committed to expanding opportunities to build a strong workforce in Florida, and this grant is just another way we will ensure Floridians have access to a world-class education and a highly skilled workforce,” said DOE Commissioner Richard Corcoran. “Statewide interest is at an all-time high, and this grant will have a positive impact on the lives of Florida’s students for years to come.”
“We stand behind Governor DeSantis and our partners throughout the state as they advance career paths for all Floridians,” said Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Ken Lawson. “Providing diverse career training opportunities for Floridians throughout the state will continue to grow and evolve our workforce, communities and economy.”
“Governor DeSantis continues to demonstrate his commitment to strengthening workforce education and training, including apprenticeships, with today’s announcement of $7 million in grants awarded to education and business entities statewide to expand these programs,” said CareerSource Florida President and CEO Michelle Dennard. “Apprenticeships are a proven solution for businesses to recruit, train and retain highly skilled workers, and the CareerSource Florida network is honored to be working closely with our state partners to help more employers build their own apprenticeships and other training programs to meet critical talent needs.”
For more information on the Florida Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant Program, visit www.fldoe.org/pathwaysgrant.
