DESANTIS PROPOSES FEDERAL MONEY FOR WORKFORCE EFFORTS
By NSF Staff
Gov . Ron DeSantis is asking lawmakers to approve creating two workforce education programs by using $ 75 million in federal coronavirus relief funds . Speaking at a news conference Monday in Melbourne , DeSantis pitched using the money to launch what he ’ s calling the “ Get There Faster Initiatives .” The proposed programs , one to serve high school students and another for adults , are aimed at speeding up pathways to receiving certificates and credentials for jobs . DeSantis is recommending $ 50 million in federal money go toward covering costs for high school students to participate in workforce college-credit or career dualenrollment programs at state colleges and technical colleges . A website launched by the Florida Department of Education touting the initiative said there are 17 career pathways available through courses at the institutions . The other $ 25 million would be allocated toward helping adults enroll in workforce education programs at the institutions . “ It will also support adults needing to enter a high-quality training program to acquire a job-ready credential of value ,” a news release from the governor ’ s office said . Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran , who appeared with DeSantis , said the initiative could help the nearly 1.8 million adults in Florida who don ’ t have high-school diplomas . “ Whatever it is that ’ s keeping you from getting that credential of value , we ’ re going to cover it ,” Corcoran said . DeSantis said he would rather work with the Legislature to get the programs off the ground than do so through executive action .
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