Florida Education Department Achieves $200M Milestone for Workforce Growth

May 19, 2025

The Florida Department of Education Marks Significant Investment in Workforce Education

Tallahassee, Fla., May 19, 2025 – Under Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr., the Florida Department of Education has allocated an additional $12 million through the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program (Workforce CAP). This funding aims to enhance eight workforce education programs across the state, focusing on sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and technology. Cumulatively, this brings Florida’s investment in workforce education initiatives via Workforce CAP to $200 million since 2023, underscoring the state’s dedication to nurturing a competent workforce.

“Under Governor Ron DeSantis’ steadfast leadership, Florida has prioritized investments in career and technical education which lead to economic success for our students and our economy,” said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “With this $12 million investment, we are strengthening workforce education programs while creating new opportunities for students to gain the skills needed for high-demand careers.”

The Workforce CAP initiative supports the development and expansion of programs, offering high school and post-secondary students practical training in sectors with high job demand.

Institutions receiving the latest Workforce CAP Grant Awards are as follows:

Baker County School District ($1,700,000): Enhancing programs in Agritechnology, Horticulture Science and Services, and Technical Agriculture Operations.

Clay County School District ($1,700,000): Expanding Agricultural Communications, Horticulture Science and Services, Agritechnology, and others.

Dixie County School District ($1,700,000): Boosting Agritechnology programs.

Hendry County School District ($1,700,000): Supporting Agritechnology, Technical Agriculture Operations, and Food Science programs.

Hernando County School District ($1,700,000): Launching new Agritechnology programs.

Levy County School District ($1,700,000): Developing new Agritechnology programs.

Sumter County School District ($1,700,000): Enhancing Agriculture Biotechnology, Agritechnology, and other related programs.

Florida State University – Lab School ($455,792): Improving Nursing Assistant, Commercial Art Technology, and Game/Simulation/Animation Visual Design programs.

The Workforce CAP Grant Program is crucial for establishing and expanding Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs that foster industry-recognized certifications, as highlighted on the CAPE Industry Certification Funding List. These grants provide the necessary resources for students across Florida to succeed in emerging industries and meet the economic demands of the state.

Additional details and application procedures for the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant can be found at the Workforce CAP Grant Program.