April is Florida College System Month, when we recognize the institutions that are preparing the workforce that powers Florida’s economy.
Thanks to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ vision, Florida leads the nation in workforce education and talent attraction and has ranked #1 in higher education since 2017. We also hold the top spot in two-year college graduation rates.
These rankings reflect years of intentional leadership and a focused strategy: creating opportunities that prepare students for high-wage, in-demand careers.
The Florida College System sits at the center of that success.
Across the state, Florida’s colleges provide high-quality, affordable education that connects students directly to career opportunities. Students earn valuable credentials, industry certifications, and degrees that translate into real jobs — all while benefiting from the nation’s lowest tuition rates and strong academic outcomes.
What makes Florida different is that we align education with the needs of our economy.
Florida continues to set the pace nationally, now ranking as the fourth-largest economy in the United States and the 15th-largest in the world. This growth has been fueled by an intentionally built workforce strategy. Since DeSantis took office, Florida College System institutions have played a central role in preparing talent at the speed Florida’s economy demands.
That alignment is driven by strong partnerships. Florida’s workforce programs are designed in close partnership with employers, industry leaders, and economic development organizations.
Programs are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain aligned with growing industries and high-demand careers. When industries evolve, programs evolve with them. Since the 2018-19 academic year, Florida has added 218 new career and technical education frameworks in areas such as nursing, aerospace, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, welding, financial technology, and data science.
This commitment to accountability and adaptability has helped Florida build one of the strongest workforce pipelines in the country.
The results are clear. In the 2024-25 academic year, Florida recorded more than 512,000 postsecondary career and technical education enrollments, a 30% increase since 2018-19. Florida College System institutions accounted for 293,478 of those students, marking a 54%
increase since 2018-19 and underscoring the system’s growing role in meeting workforce demand.
Florida students are earning more industry-recognized credentials than ever before. To expand Career and Professional Education (CAPE) opportunities, the state offers a comprehensive list of certifications for both secondary and postsecondary students, equipping them with the skills needed for high-wage, high-demand careers.
Since 2018-19, CAPE certifications earned statewide have increased by 76.7%, rising from 192,318 to a record 339,780 in 2024-25. That same year, Florida College System students earned more than 137,000 degrees, certificates and industry credentials.
Strategic investments have accelerated this progress. Under DeSantis, Florida has invested more than $12 billion in workforce education. The Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program has provided $240 million across 80 school districts and Florida College System institutions, supporting 812 new or expanded programs and increasing workforce capacity by 94%.
For many colleges, this has meant new labs, modern equipment, and thousands of additional seats in high-demand programs.
The Florida College System also plays a critical role in helping students advance through higher education.
Florida’s nationally recognized 2+2 system allows students to begin at a state college and then transfer seamlessly to a state university to complete a bachelor’s degree. This system provides an affordable pathway to higher education while strengthening Florida’s talent pipeline.
Programs that support students who are close to completing their degrees help ensure that more Floridians finish what they started and enter the workforce with credentials aligned with in-demand careers.
The guiding principle behind Florida’s success is simple.
Florida refuses to lower expectations for students. And Florida refuses to settle for the status quo when it comes to preparing the next generation for success.
During Florida College System Month, we recognize the faculty, staff and leaders who make this success possible. Their work strengthens communities, expands opportunities and prepares Floridians to lead in the industries that will define the future of our state.
Florida is setting the national standard for workforce education, leading the way for other states to follow.
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Anastasios Kamoutsas is Florida’s Commissioner of Education.
