Florida sees 45% increase in registered apprentices since DeSantis took office

By Lydia Nusbaum

Published Oct. 18, 2023, 8:59 a.m. ET | Updated Oct. 18, 2023

Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. visited Tallahassee Community College to see their Electrical Apprenticeship Program in Tallahassee, Fla., Sept. 15, 2023. (Photo/ Florida Department of Education)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The sunshine state has seen remarkable growth and interest in its apprenticeship programs as Florida seeks to build its skilled workforce.

Florida’s Voice learned there has been a 45% increase in the number of registered apprentices since Gov. Ron DeSantis took office in 2019, according to the Florida Department of Education.

DeSantis’ goal is for Florida to become a national leader in workforce education by 2030.

Part of that effort includes encouraging students and Floridians to participate in the trades. Florida has continued to add new registered apprenticeship programs such as programs to prepare students to be licensed journeyman electricians.

The purpose of the registered apprenticeship program is to enable employers to develop and apply industry standards to training programs for registered apprentices that can increase productivity and improve the quality of the workforce, according to the department.

The department said there has been an almost 33% increase in the number of registered apprenticeship programs since 2019.

Other profound numbers include a a 100% increase in the number of registered preapprenticeship programs and a 110% increase in the number of apprenticeable occupations since 2019.

Florida lawmakers have passed a series of bills in an attempt to develop Florida’s workforce education programs and increase access to career and technical education programs.