Governor Ron DeSantis and Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran Announce Next Phase of Florida Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant Awardees

March 27, 2020

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Governor Ron DeSantis and Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran Announce Next Phase of Florida Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant Awardees
~ Funding supports expansion of local apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs ~

Tallahassee, Fla., March 27, 2020 – In view of helping to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19 on the state economy, Governor Ron DeSantis and Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran are excited to announce the next phase of funding for the Florida Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant. Nearly $2.8 million is awarded to school districts, colleges and private entities to either start or expand registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs throughout the state.

“The Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant puts funding behind a time-tested workforce education model focused on talent development and reducing the statewide skills gap. We understand that some Florida employers who utilize the registered apprenticeship model to train their workforce may have halted their operations due to COVID-19,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “As we announce the second award phase, I stand ready to assist employers and apprentices so getting a great education in high demand fields can continue.”

“The Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant ensures that Governor DeSantis’ bold vision for expanding high quality workforce education is carried out, said Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran. “The department is proud to work with these new awardees in the development of new, flexible and market-driven programs. This kind of workforce education matters for our state’s economic stability and vitality, especially during this time of trial.”

For example, the grant program has already proven successful – the state of Florida, in partnership with the Pinellas County School Board, is first in the nation in providing a pathway for current and future school district employees to become a CTE teacher of record through a Registered Apprenticeship program.

The school districts listed below received funding:

• Broward County School District
  • Carpentry
• Hillsborough School District
  • Construction Trades
• Manatee School District
  • Child Care
  • TEC Electrician
• Orange School District
  • Medical Assisting
• Osceola School District
  • Welding
• Palm Beach School District
  • Welding
• Pasco School District
  • Electrician

The colleges listed below received funding:

• Eastern Florida State College
  • Space Coast Consortium
• Lake-Sumter State College
  • Electrician
• St. Petersburg College
  • Clinical Medical
• Tallahassee Community College
  • Electrical Contractor

The private entities listed below received funding:

• ABC Institute, Inc.
  • Construction
• Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association, Inc.
  • Nursery and Landscape
• iBuild Central Florida
  • OTC Construction
  • Construction
• Jacksonville Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, Inc., JACT Adult
  • Electrician

During the 2019 Legislative Session, Governor DeSantis worked with the Florida Legislature to secure historic funding for Florida’s students and families, including this $10 million dedicated to apprenticeships. Between both phases of the grant, 17 school districts (30 programs), 11 colleges (17 programs), one university (one program) and five private entities (six programs) received grants.

The hallmark of the registered apprenticeship model is that most of the knowledge and skill acquisition is actually done through on-the-job training (OJT). During this time of uncertainty related to COVID-19, registered apprenticeship programs continue to provide maximum flexibility in the delivery of OJT.

For more information about the Florida Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant Program, visit www.fldoe.org/pathwaysgrant.

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