Florida Apprenticeship Programs
Florida Apprenticeship Resources
Introduction to Apprenticeships in Florida
An apprenticeship is a structured form of workforce training that combines paid on-the-job experience with classroom instruction. Apprentices learn a skilled trade while working under experienced professionals, often earning progressively higher wages as they gain more experience. Most apprenticeships take between 1 and 5 years to complete and result in an industry-recognized credential or certification.
Registered vs. Unregistered Apprenticeships
Registered apprenticeships are officially recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor or a state agency, like the Florida Department of Education. These programs meet specific standards for instruction hours, job safety, wage increases, and employer participation. Apprentices who complete registered programs receive a credential that is widely recognized across the industry and often across state lines.
Unregistered or informal apprenticeships don’t go through the official approval process. They’re typically created between a worker and an employer. While they may provide good training, they don’t always follow consistent standards, and the credentials earned may not be recognized by other employers or industries. Registered apprenticeships are usually eligible for funding or grants; unregistered ones are not.
Apprenticeships in Florida: Growth and Focus
Florida has made a strong push to expand apprenticeship opportunities. As of recent state reports, there are more than 360 registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs across the state, involving nearly 20,000 participants. While the traditional focus is on construction and skilled trades, Florida is actively expanding apprenticeships into fields like IT, healthcare, education, aerospace, manufacturing, and logistics.
Programs like the Space Coast Consortium Apprenticeship Program train apprentices in aerospace and advanced manufacturing. The Florida Rural Water Association also offers a registered apprenticeship for water and wastewater operators. Additionally, the state has launched a Teacher Apprenticeship Program to help paraprofessionals in schools become certified teachers while working.
Common Types of Apprenticeship Programs in Florida
In the construction and trades sector, apprenticeships are widely available for electricians, HVAC technicians, plumbers, carpenters, welders, and pipefitters. In industrial and manufacturing fields, roles include machinists, CNC operators, maintenance technicians, and mechatronics specialists.
Utilities and infrastructure programs include apprenticeships for power line installers, water treatment operators, and other technical roles. In aerospace and advanced manufacturing, apprentices may work in composite materials, quality control, and additive manufacturing. There are also growing opportunities in IT (network technicians, cybersecurity), healthcare (medical assistants, pharmacy techs), education (teacher apprenticeships), and logistics (truck drivers, warehouse technicians).
Hospitality and culinary fields sometimes offer apprenticeships as well, especially for chef training or hotel operations.
Florida’s Biggest Cities and Apprenticeship Opportunities
Apprenticeship programs are more common in and around larger cities or areas with active trade and industrial employers. Florida’s largest cities are:
-
Jacksonville
-
Miami
-
Tampa
-
Orlando
-
St. Petersburg
-
Port St. Lucie
-
Hialeah
-
Cape Coral
-
Tallahassee
-
Fort Lauderdale
In these cities, you’ll find a wider range of programs. For example, Jacksonville has strong electrical apprenticeship offerings, Tampa has programs in HVAC and plumbing, and Orlando has growth in healthcare and IT apprenticeships. South Florida cities like Fort Lauderdale and Miami are investing in logistics, tech, and trades-related training. In the Space Coast area, apprenticeships in aerospace and manufacturing are tied to employers like Lockheed Martin and SpaceX contractors.
Smaller cities and rural areas also have opportunities, especially in construction, utilities, and public services, but the number of programs may be more limited and region-specific.
Apprenticeships in Florida provide solid pathways into high-paying and essential careers without requiring a traditional college degree. The state’s investment in both traditional and nontraditional apprenticeship areas is helping to build a more diverse and skilled workforce. If you’re considering an apprenticeship, it’s best to explore both registered and informal opportunities—but keep in mind that registered programs generally offer more structure, better pay progression, and more widely recognized credentials.
Florida Apprenticeship Resources
Click to Search Florida Apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.com
Florida Department of Education Registered Apprenticeships Programs and Reports
CareerSource Central Florida Apprenticeships
Florida Department of Veterans Affairs On-the-Job Training & Apprenticeships