Get There: Governor Ron DeSantis Announces More than $35 Million to Accelerate the Growth of Florida’s Semiconductor Industry

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Jan. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that more than $35 million in funding from the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program will be allocated to Florida school districts and Florida College System institutions to create or expand semiconductor-related instructional programs for students. Because of the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida is already #5 in the US for semiconductor manufacturing jobs and #3 in the nation for semiconductor establishments. This investment will help cultivate a highly skilled workforce, which is integral to sustaining Florida’s growing semiconductor industry.

“By providing workforce education in our classrooms, students learn skills they can use to obtain high-paying jobs in growing industries like semiconductor manufacturing,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “This investment continues our commitment to making Florida number one for workforce education and positioning our state at the forefront of innovation.”

“This forward-thinking approach to workforce education underscores Governor DeSantis’ commitment not only to maintaining Florida’s strong standing in semiconductor manufacturing but also to ensuring that the next generation of professionals are well equipped to lead in this critical industry,” said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “We will continue to find ways to provide our students the tools they need to succeed in Florida’s workforce.”

The following institutions will receive funding to create or expand semiconductor-related instruction through the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant:

Alachua County School DistrictBrevard County School DistrictBroward County School DistrictCalhoun County School DistrictCharlotte County School DistrictCitrus County School DistrictClay County School DistrictCollier County School DistrictColumbia County School DistrictDuval County School DistrictGadsden County School DistrictHernando County School DistrictHighlands School DistrictHillsborough County School DistrictLeon County School DistrictMarion County School DistrictOkeechobee County School DistrictOsceola County School DistrictOrange County School DistrictPalm Beach County School DistrictPasco County School DistrictPinellas County School DistrictSt. Johns County School DistrictSuwannee County School DistrictTaylor County School DistrictWakulla County School DistrictWalton County School DistrictWashington County School DistrictCollege of Central FloridaFlorida Gateway CollegeNorthwest Florida State CollegePalm Beach State CollegePasco-Hernando State CollegeSeminole State College of FloridaTallahassee Community CollegeValencia College

This $35 million investment is part of the $100 million allocated to the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program. The program provides grants to school districts and Florida College System institutions to fund some or all of the costs associated with the creation or expansion of career and technical education workforce development programs that lead to industry certifications included on the CAPE Industry Certification Funding List. School districts and Florida College System institutions can take advantage of and apply for the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program. You can find more information about the application process if you click here. 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/get-there-governor-ron-desantis-announces-more-than-35-million-to-accelerate-the-growth-of-floridas-semiconductor-industry-302038906.html

SOURCE Get There