September 30, 2025
The Florida Department of Education announced this week that more than $40 million has been awarded statewide through the Workforce Capitalization Incentive Grant Program (Workforce CAP), funding 49 programs across 33 school districts and 16 state colleges. The initiative, championed by Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas, is designed to expand access to high-demand workforce education and strengthen the state’s pipeline of skilled talent.
Several Heartland Educational Consortium (HEC) member districts were among the recipients of this latest round of funding:
Glades County School District – $1,253,429 to expand Nursing Assistant (acute and long-term care), Agritechnology, Business Management, and E-commerce & Marketing programs.
Hardee County School District – $134,500 to support Game, Simulation, and Animation Programming.
Hendry County School District – $222,000 for Allied Health Assisting programs.
Highlands County School District – $371,000 to expand Building Construction Technologies.
Okeechobee County School District – $97,500 to enhance Building Construction Management and Artificial Intelligence Foundations.
Building Workforce Capacity in Florida
According to the Florida Department of Education, this round of Workforce CAP awards will strengthen 49 programs statewide and increase overall workforce education capacity by 59 percent. Since 2023, Florida has invested nearly $240 million through the program to build stronger, more resilient workforce pathways.
Impact on HEC Districts
For HEC member districts, the impact of these grants will be immediate and far-reaching. Funding will support:
New and upgraded career pathways in high-demand industries including healthcare, technology, agriculture, and construction.
Expanded instructional capacity, allowing districts to serve more students and equip them with industry-recognized credentials.
Greater alignment with regional workforce needs, ensuring students are prepared for meaningful employment opportunities close to home.
“These investments represent a significant step forward in preparing students across the Heartland region for the jobs of tomorrow,” said [Insert HEC leadership quote here]. “By expanding career and technical education, our districts can provide students with the skills and certifications that lead directly into high-wage, high-demand careers.”
About Workforce CAP
The Workforce Capitalization Incentive Grant Program provides targeted funding to expand capacity in programs that lead to high-value industry certifications. Awards can be used for equipment, curriculum development, instructor positions, and other resources necessary to scale programs that meet the needs of Florida’s growing economy.
📎 Read the full announcement from the Florida Department of Education here: Florida DOE Newsroom