In an ever-evolving job market, CareerSource Florida continues to promote innovative and effective workforce training solutions, including apprenticeships. Registered apprenticeship programs fortify talent pipelines and drive economic development across the Sunshine State. Florida has 365 registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, with 36 programs added in just the last year.
Apprenticeships offer a range of benefits, providing individuals with practical, hands-on training, and equipping them with job-specific skills and knowledge all while earning a wage. This approach helps reduce the burden of student loans and ensure immediate employability. For employers, apprenticeships contribute to a skilled and loyal workforce, as they enable customized training tailored to the company’s needs. Apprenticeships often result in higher employee retention, a more diverse workforce, and increased productivity.
Within the CareerSource Florida network, 24 local workforce development boards have an Apprenticeship Navigator who can communicate the value of apprenticeships to businesses, education providers, and associations in their regions.
“Apprenticeship programs are the real-world classrooms, where hands-on experiences become the textbooks, and skilled mentors teach valuable lessons,” said CareerSource Florida President and CEO Adrienne Johnston. “These programs offer a cost-effective way for businesses to develop a loyal and highly skilled workforce, enhancing their long-term competitiveness.”
Floridians of all ages and walks of life can participate in an apprenticeship. One veteran-turned-apprentice, Johnathan Hammond, left the military in 2019 and wasn’t able to find a job right away. So, he joined an apprenticeship program as a structures mechanic at Haeco Americas, a world-class provider of aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul, in Lake City.
“It wasn’t very easy coming out of the military. I needed something different for myself and for my family,” Hammond said. “The apprentice program was awesome…I didn’t have any transferable skills to this in my military experience. I want to let everybody know out there even for vets who struggle, that there are opportunities out there.”
In 2022 – 2023, Florida had 365 registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs for a total of 19,605 apprentices and pre-apprentices trained. During that time, 2,135 apprentices completed their program and received an apprenticeship certificate and average exit wage of $25.70 per hour, or $53,642 per year.
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