• Sen. Travis Hutson filed SB 240 this week, which aims to expand career and technical education (CTE) programs in the state.
• The bill focuses on work-based learning and establishes regional education consortiums to collaborate with local businesses and educational institutions.
• The legislation includes $100 million for the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program, eliminates restrictions on bonus funding for middle school students who obtain industry credentials, and simplifies the process for employers to use workers’ compensation benefits to facilitate work opportunities.

Sen. Travis Hutson filed legislation late this week that aims to expand upon preexisting career and technical education (CTE) programs in Florida. The bill focuses on work-based learning, which will be linked to local employment opportunities for Florida students in Grades 6-12.

Hutson’s proposal expands on the state’s continuing legislative efforts to give students the opportunity to pursue employment possibilities and professional credentials. According to the bill’s language, each school board will be required to offer high school students at least one opportunity for work-based learning, including pre-apprenticeships, and apprenticeships. The measure also establishes regional education consortiums, which would collaborate with representatives from local businesses and educational institutions to satisfy the community’s needs in terms of industry and employment.

According to the legislation, organizations like schools, local workforce boards, and community groups would be able to support student apprenticeships. The law also simplifies the process for employers to use workers’ compensation benefits to facilitate work opportunities.

The bill includes $100 million for the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program, which would help schools create or expand CTE programs. Moreover, it eliminates restrictions on bonus funding for middle school students who obtain industry credentials, with the goal of incentivizing school districts to boost CTE engagement in middle school. Hutson’s measure also eliminates administrative impediments to the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant Program, which provides grants to start or expand early workforce programs.

“In 2008, only 803 students in the entire state of Florida earned national industry certifications in our high schools. Last year, over 100,000 students earned these valuable work-based credentials across 17 Career and Technical Education Pathways, covering everything from Architecture and Agriculture to Tourism and Technology, to Manufacturing and Marketing,” said Senator Hutson. “This legislation builds on these in-demand, widely successful programs, by creating regionally-targeted links between work-based learning and real jobs in high-demand fields.”