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Florida Gov. Scott renews request for technical education grant

 
Published Oct. 12, 2015

Keeping with his theme of jobs and more jobs, Florida Gov. Rick Scott has proposed a $20 million "rapid response" grant for the state's technical centers and colleges.

The competition would provide funding to expand or create career training programs at the state's 48 accredited centers and colleges, such as Brewster Technical in Hillsborough, Marchman Technical in Pasco and Pinellas Technical.

"Our technical centers do a great job preparing students for a career in just one year," Scott said in a news release. "We know the workers of tomorrow are in our classrooms today - and advanced workforce training at our technical centers will help our students receive the skills they need to be competitive in the global market. It will also attract companies to our state looking for a high-skilled workforce."

Scott presented the idea in Orlando this morning, and will make a second presentation this afternoon in Miami. He proposed the same idea a year ago, but failed to get it through the Legislature.

The grant also appears in the State Board of Education's legislative budget request, with the justification that "The state economy thrives as a result of workforce education programs aligning course and program offerings with the employment opportunities in current, new and emerging industries."