February 17, 2026
Governor’s Press Office
850-717-9282
Florida Tops U.S. in Workforce Education
Tallahassee, Fla — During Career and Technical Education (CTE) month, Governor Ron DeSantis proudly announced that Florida now leads the nation in workforce education, achieving this status well ahead of the 2030 target set by Executive Order 19-31. Governor DeSantis’ extensive investment exceeding $12 billion in workforce education has propelled Florida to the forefront, complementing its existing high rankings in higher education and talent attraction. This achievement underscores Florida’s commitment to nurturing a future-ready workforce through strategic investments and innovative programs.
Governor Ron DeSantis remarked, “Florida has built an education system that delivers outcomes, opens doors to high-wage careers, and strengthens our state’s long-term prosperity. Workforce education is a crucial part of this effort. We made historic investments in the career and technical education pathways that help young people prepare for in-demand jobs and attract investment to our state. Florida is now the number one state in the country for workforce education—years ahead of the 2030 target I set in my Executive Order.”
Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas added, “Florida’s rise to the #1 state in the nation for workforce education is no accident. It reflects Governor DeSantis’ vision and strategic investment in expanding workforce pathways for students. Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida has built a workforce education system that delivers outcomes, opens doors to high-wage careers, and strengthens the state’s long-term economic success.”
Key achievements in workforce education include:
- In the 2024-25 academic year, Florida saw unprecedented enrollment in Career and Technical Education, with over 818,000 K-12 students and nearly 512,000 postsecondary students, marking a 30% increase since 2018-19.
- Adult education programs now cater to over 189,000 individuals statewide, enhancing educational and job opportunities.
- The state’s Integrated Education and Training (IET) programs have expanded to 582 statewide, benefiting over 11,000 students since 2021 by allowing adult learners to earn credentials alongside their high school diplomas.
- Florida’s apprenticeship and preapprenticeship systems have reached new heights with 25,000 active participants, an 11% annual increase, and a 14% rise in new apprenticeship programs.
- The Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program has channeled $240 million into workforce education, supporting 80 agencies and 812 new or expanded programs, boosting workforce capacity for funded programs by 94%.
- The Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant has provided over $105 million, supporting over 350 grant proposals and benefiting more than 20,000 participants, aimed at expanding registered apprenticeship and preapprenticeship programs.
Career and Technical Education Month serves as an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the significant accomplishments and progress made in workforce development throughout the state. Read the full CTE Month Proclamation here (PDF).
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