Bill > H7017

This bill revises various aspects of career and adult education in Florida, including apprenticeships and job-training programs, by updating definitions for terms like "apprentice" and "journeyworker" (a skilled worker who has mastered the trade through experience or formal training) to reflect current industry standards. It also establishes new grant programs: the Florida Apprenticeship Grant (FLAG) program to help career centers and colleges create or expand apprenticeship programs, particularly in high-demand fields like IT and manufacturing, and the Rapid Response Grant program to support career centers in expanding or implementing high-demand postsecondary programs. The bill also makes changes to high school equivalency programs, the Higher Education Coordinating Council, applied technology diploma programs, adult general education, CAPE (Career and Adult Education) digital tool certificates, and career centers, and includes an appropriation of $3 million for the FLAG program.