DeSantis Announces $10.5 Million in Funding to Expand Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship Programs

By Tyler Rea

Published Mar. 31, 2022, 11:48 a.m. ET | Updated Jan. 3, 2023

(@GovRonDeSantis, Twitter)

March 31, 2022 Updated 11:48 A.M. ET

TALLAHASSEE (FCV) – Governor Ron DeSantis, along with Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran, announced a $10.5 million investment plan to expand registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs at 11 colleges across Florida.

The $10.5 million is allocated through the Expansion of Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship (ERAP) grant in hopes of expanding these programs. These programs provide excellent opportunities for employers to develop and apply industry training that can increase productivity, attract and retain qualified employees, and improve their overall performance.

Governor Ron DeSantis said, “This $10.5 million will provide opportunities for an additional 4,200 students in the next year and will encourage more businesses to start their own apprenticeship programs to meet industry demands.”

Students who complete a registered apprenticeship program are quickly accepted into the industry, and often start their careers by earning an average of $52,520 a year. Proposed occupations include: electrical, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, Electrical Vehicle (EV), and diesel mechanics, low voltage telecommunications, construction and design, radiology and magnetic resonance imaging, teaching, and culinary.

“This funding provides critical opportunities to grow Florida’s highly-skilled workforce and I am thankful for Governor DeSantis’ continued leadership to make Florida number one in the nation for workforce education,” said Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran.

Since 2019, Governor DeSantis has made it his goal to make Florida the number1 state in the nation for workforce education. Since then, Florida has invested more than $3.5 billion in workforce education, including $289 million for STEM programs, civics education, and after-school and summer learning programs.

The following post-secondary organizations are being awarded ERAP grant funds: