Gov. Ron DeSantis announced $35 million in funding for school districts and colleges through the Workforce Development Capitalization Initiative Grant Program.
The funds will support semiconductor-related instructional programs for students. According to a press release, Florida already ranks fifth in the nation for semiconductor manufacturing jobs and third for semiconductor establishments.
“By providing workforce education in our classrooms, students learn skills they can use to obtain high-paying jobs in growing industries like semiconductor manufacturing,” DeSantis said in the release. “This investment continues our commitment to making Florida number one for workforce education and positioning our state at the forefront of innovation.”
The funds will go to 32 different institutions, including the Alachua County School District, Columbia County School District, Suwannee County School District and Florida Gateway College.
Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Jr. Said the investment will ensure Florida students are ready to lead the vital semiconductor industry.
“We will continue to find ways to provide our students the tools they need to succeed in Florida’s workforce,” Diaz said in a release.
Friday’s release is part of $100 million allocated to the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program.
The following institutions will also receive funds from the grant (schools in bold are in Mainstreet Daily News’ coverage area):
Alachua County School District
Brevard County School District
Broward County School District
Calhoun County School District
Charlotte County School District
Citrus County School District
Clay County School District
Collier County School District
Columbia County School District
Duval County School District
Gadsden County School District
Hernando County School District
Highlands School District
Hillsborough County School District
Leon County School District
Marion County School District
Okeechobee County School District
Osceola County School District
Orange County School District
Palm Beach County School District
Pasco County School District
Pinellas County School District
St. Johns County School District
Suwannee County School District
Taylor County School District
Wakulla County School District
Walton County School District
Washington County School District
College of Central Florida
Florida Gateway College
Northwest Florida State College
Palm Beach State College
Pasco-Hernando State College
Seminole State College of Florida
Tallahassee Community College
Valencia College
The basics are more important than learning specifics about subjects that have radical changes every year. It’s also much easier to learn a new subject and the surrounding procedures without having to unlearn something you were taught that is no longer valid.
The ability to communicate effectively, without the need for guessing what was actually said or meant is more than just a little important. Very few students have learned that ability recently and even fewer were taught it.