Santa Rosa Schools Receive Part of $11M in Grants for Careers and Apprenticeships

Posted on December 14, 2021 by Staff reports

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran today announced nearly $11 million in funding for the 2021 Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant and Apprenticeship State Expansion Grant recipients, including an allocation to Santa Rosa County District Schools.
 
Awarding this funding is a part of Governor DeSantis’ efforts to make Florida the best state in the nation for workforce education by 2030. Including these awards, more than $30 million has been invested since 2019 to expand registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. This grant funding will create opportunities for individuals to earn the high-value skills and nationally recognized credentials necessary for high-earning careers, and support our growing industries and globally competitive economy. 
 
“By investing in career training and apprenticeship programs, Florida is expanding opportunities in a way that will strengthen key sectors of the economy,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Through this program, we are offering alternatives to the traditional (and expensive) brick and ivy education experience and helping Floridians obtain good jobs without going into debt. I am proud that we have been able to award these grants for three years, as we continue to invest in creating opportunities for Floridians.”
 
“Under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, we’ve doubled-down on our workforce education initiatives and these grant programs best demonstrate this. Apprenticeships are time-tested training models equipping trainees with the confidence and skills to thrive in high-demand careers,” said Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran. “Apprenticeship programs prepare students for more than an entry-level job. Upon completion, students are prepared for lifelong learning and family sustaining careers.”
 
In partnership with CareerSource Florida, the Department of Education continues to make noteworthy gains, expanding the number of RAPs by 15%. This expansion represents a total of 300 programs with 1,875 apprentices reaching completion and earning an in-demand apprenticeship certificate with an average salary of $52,500.
 
Governor DeSantis has worked with the Florida Legislature to secure historic funding for Florida’s students and families, totaling $30 million dedicated to registered apprenticeships through the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant.
 
This year’s awardees, totaling $9.8 million in funding, are: 
  • TruMont, LLC
  • Flagler County School District
  • Florida Training Services
  • Jacksonville Electrical Joint A&T Committee
  • Tallahassee Community College
  • Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association
  • Santa Rosa County School District
  • Florida Gulf Coast Chapter ABC Inc., GNJ
  • Lockheed Martin Corporation
  • AmSkills
  • Clay County School District
  • Pasco-Hernando State College
  • Sumter County School District
  • GE Aviation Systems
  • Net Synergy Virtual Solutions LLC
  • Crisis Center of Tampa Bay
  • Community Health IT
  • iBuild of Central Florida
  • Daytona State College
  • Space TEC
  • St. Lucie County School District
  • Seminole County School District
  • Osceola County School District
  • Indian River State College
  • Volusia County School District
  • Collier County School District
  • Miami-Dade County School District
  • Palm Beach County School District
  • Miami-Dade College
  • Hamilton-Ryker
  • ABC Institute, Inc.
  • Florida International University
  • Junior Achievement of South Florida
  • Northwest Florida State College