Renzo Downey
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced $7 million of grant awards to educational institutions Wednesday for career and technical training.
Together with Department of Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran, DeSantis released the list of school districts, universities colleges and private institutions who were awarded the Florida Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant.
The grant program, created this year, hands institutions state funds for apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. Nearly $3 million allotted for the program during the 2019 Legislative Session remains.
“By investing in workforce education and apprenticeship programs, we are ensuring Florida’s students will have new opportunities and career paths,” DeSantis said in a statement. “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.”
DeSantis called for an additional $10 million for the program in his proposed 2020-2021 budget Monday. The Governor has marked education as a top priority for his administration and the coming year.
“(Gov.) 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 world-class education and a highly skilled workforce,” Corcoran said. “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.”
The awarded school districts are Bay, Brevard, Broward, Collier, Flagler, Hillsborough, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Santa Rosa, Seminole and St. Lucie school districts.
Winning colleges and universities are College of Central Florida, Daytona State College, Hillsborough Community College, Indian River State College, Miami Dade College, Northwest Florida State College, South Florida State College and Florida International University. ICTC Governing Board dba AMskills also received a grant.
Specific programs run the gamut from trade skills like carpentry and manufacturing to pharmacy and teaching. Department of Economic Opportunity executive director Ken Lawson praised the announcement.
“Providing diverse career training opportunities for Floridians throughout the state will continue to grow and evolve our workforce, communities and economy,” Lawson said.
CareerSource Florida President and CEO Michelle Dennard also lauded DeSantis and the program.
“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,” Dennard said.
