FloridaCommerce has been awarded $40 million by the U.S. Department of Labor to support a nationwide effort to expand Registered Apprenticeship programs in the defense industrial base, shipbuilding and maritime manufacturing sectors.
The award will fund an incentive program led through a consortium involving the State Workforce Board and CareerSource Florida. FloridaCommerce said the initiative is intended to strengthen talent development in industries tied to maritime production and national defense, with additional program details expected to be released later.
Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly said the funding will help expand Florida’s maritime industrial base by supporting workforce development across maritime and defense sectors. Kelly cited Florida’s 16 deepwater seaports, 21 major military installations and concentration of shipbuilding and boatbuilding employers as factors that position the state to support the national effort.
CareerSource Florida President and CEO Adrienne Johnston said the award will help expand apprenticeship opportunities that prepare workers for high-demand, high-wage jobs while helping employers build talent pipelines.
The state said nearly 80 letters of support were submitted for the program by private-sector and nonprofit stakeholders, elected officials, state agencies, educational institutions and workforce and economic development partners.
The award is part of a broader federal effort to expand active apprenticeships nationwide.
