Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas announces fourteen point six million dollars to expand preapprenticeship and apprenticeship programs for students across Florida

Tallahassee, Florida – Florida students and aspiring professionals are set to benefit from a significant boost in career-focused training opportunities after Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas announced the awarding of $14.6 million through the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant (PCOG). The funding, aimed at expanding preapprenticeship and apprenticeship programs, will support 34 entities, including school districts, colleges, state universities, and private training providers, allowing thousands of Floridians to gain hands-on experience in high-demand fields.

“These programs give students the chance to train alongside industry experts and discover their strengths and step confidently into the jobs that drive Florida’s economy forward,” Commissioner Kamoutsas said. He emphasized that these initiatives are part of a broader effort by Governor Ron DeSantis to strengthen workforce education across the state. “Governor DeSantis’ continued investment in workforce education is transforming opportunities for students across Florida,” Kamoutsas added.

The 2025-26 PCOG awards will impact over 7,100 participants, providing them with a combination of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction. By integrating hands-on experience with academic learning, these programs aim to create a pipeline of skilled workers ready to meet the needs of Florida’s diverse economy. Participants will gain industry-recognized skills, build professional networks, and increase their employability in sectors ranging from healthcare and engineering to trade professions and technology.

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Recipients of this year’s funding include a wide array of organizations, reflecting the state’s commitment to both urban and rural workforce development. Among the awardees are AAR Aircraft Services, Inc., ABC Institute, Inc., Florida Makes, Inc., Gulf Coast Electrical JATC, Miami Dade College, Lee Health, SpaceTEC Partners, Inc., and Tampa Bay Tech Foundation. Many of these institutions are longstanding leaders in apprenticeship and technical education, providing proven pathways for students to launch successful careers.

Other recipients include community health centers, electrical and plumbing trade committees, hospitals, technical colleges, and private training organizations, demonstrating the breadth of opportunity available to Floridians across multiple industries. The funding will help these entities expand existing programs, launch new preapprenticeship initiatives, and ensure that students have access to high-quality, hands-on learning experiences.

Since its inception, the Florida Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant has distributed over $105 million, funding more than 350 proposals and serving over 20,000 participants. These programs have been credited with creating tangible pathways from education to employment, benefiting both students and businesses seeking skilled workers. By emphasizing preapprenticeship programs, the grant also targets younger students, preparing them to enter the workforce with foundational skills and experience even before graduation.

Florida’s commitment to workforce education is unprecedented. Governor DeSantis has pledged more than $10 billion to workforce training and career development initiatives, a level of investment that has positioned the state as a national leader in developing a skilled workforce. Currently, Florida is home to nearly 800,000 K-12 career and technical education (CTE) students, more than 480,000 postsecondary CTE students, and 22,444 registered apprentices and preapprentices actively engaged in career training programs.

The state’s efforts aim not only to provide students with immediate job skills but also to meet the evolving demands of industries critical to Florida’s economic growth. Fields such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing, construction trades, and information technology continue to face talent shortages, making apprenticeship programs a strategic tool for both workforce readiness and long-term economic stability.

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Commissioner Kamoutsas highlighted the collaborative nature of these programs, noting that the PCOG funding represents a partnership between educational institutions, private industry, and government agencies. “These programs give students the chance to train alongside industry experts,” Kamoutsas said. “They allow young people to gain real-world experience while still in school, which is critical for both personal growth and Florida’s economic development.”

Looking ahead, the Florida Department of Education plans to continue expanding the reach of these programs, supporting more institutions and participants in the coming years. Schools and training organizations are encouraged to explore opportunities through the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant, ensuring that students across the state can access career-focused education and apprenticeship experiences.

For a complete list of grant awards for 2025-26, interested parties can visit https://www.fldoe.org/pathwaysgrant/. Additional information about the program and application process is available at www.fldoe.org/pathwaysgrant, highlighting Florida’s ongoing commitment to connecting education with meaningful career pathways for students of all ages.

As Florida continues to invest in apprenticeship and preapprenticeship programs, students are gaining more than just technical skills—they are stepping into careers that offer stability, growth, and the opportunity to contribute to the state’s vibrant economy. The $14.6 million awarded this year represents not only funding but also a promise: that Florida remains committed to equipping its future workforce with the tools, training, and experience needed to thrive.