Bill > S1060

This bill revises various aspects of Florida's education and workforce development system, including updating definitions related to apprenticeships to include "journeyworker" and expanding the criteria for what constitutes an apprenticeable occupation to align with industry certifications and broader skill development. It also modifies the membership of the State Apprenticeship Advisory Council to include more independent public members and clarifies the Department of Education's role in developing program standards for career, adult, and community education. Furthermore, the bill expands the financial aid appeals process to include career centers and charter technical career centers, establishes the Florida Apprenticeship Grant (FLAG) program to support new and expanded apprenticeship programs, and creates a Rapid Response Grant program to fund high-demand postsecondary programs. Additionally, it enhances structured high school acceleration programs, allowing students to earn college credit and industry certifications, and adjusts funding mechanisms for workforce education programs to better reflect program costs and performance outcomes.