Florida’s Department of Education has announced the allocation of $14.6 million through the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant (PCOG) for the 2025-26 academic year. The funding will support 34 entities, including school districts, colleges, state universities, and private training organizations, in starting, expanding, or operating registered apprenticeship and preapprenticeship programs.
Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas stated, “Governor DeSantis’ continued investment in workforce education is transforming opportunities for students across Florida. These programs give students the chance to train alongside industry experts and discover their strengths and step confidently into the jobs that drive Florida’s economy forward.”
The new round of grants is expected to benefit over 7,100 participants who will receive both on-the-job training and classroom instruction. This effort is part of a broader initiative that has seen $105 million awarded through PCOG since its inception. More than 350 proposals have been funded and over 20,000 participants have taken part in apprenticeship and preapprenticeship programs across Florida. Details about this year’s grant recipients are available at https://www.fldoe.org/pathwaysgrant/.
Governor Ron DeSantis has prioritized workforce education by allocating more than $10 billion toward these efforts. As a result, Florida leads the nation in attracting and developing skilled workers. Currently, there are nearly 800,000 K-12 career and technical education (CTE) students enrolled—the highest number in state history—along with more than 480,000 postsecondary CTE students and over 22,000 registered apprentices and preapprentices.
Additional information about the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant Program can be found at www.fldoe.org/pathwaysgrant.
