Governor Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday that Florida has reached its goal of becoming the top state in the nation for workforce education, hitting the mark five years ahead of the state’s 2030 deadline.

The announcement, held at Titusville High School, focused on the expansion of Career and Technical Education (CTE) and its role in preparing students for high-demand industries. Since 2019, the state has committed more than $12 billion to workforce education initiatives.

Titusville High School: A Model for CTE
Principal Jennifer Gonzalez highlighted the school’s transformation, noting that modern CTE has evolved far beyond traditional “shop classes”. The school currently offers 10 high-demand programs, including:

• Space Mechatronics
• Cybersecurity
• Criminal Justice and 911 Dispatch
• Healthcare (Patient Care)
• Culinary Arts

Governor DeSantis Announces Florida’s Achievement of Ranking #1 in Workforce Education https://t.co/tiPYuP2X15

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) February 17, 2026

Gonzalez emphasized the school’s unique position on the Space Coast, stating that students in the mechatronics program are learning the same foundational skills used at the nearby Kennedy Space Center. Last year, the school graduated 302 students, with 278 industry certifications earned through CTE courses.

Statewide Growth and Results
The Governor reported that Florida is now ranked number one in talent attraction and education freedom. Key statistics from the briefing include:

• Enrollment Surge: Florida reached record CTE enrollment last year with over 818,000 K-12 students and nearly 512,000 post-secondary students, a 30% increase over seven years.
• Apprenticeships: There are currently 25,000 active participants in apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs statewide.
• Rapid Credentials: Since 2019, the state has awarded more than 524,000 rapid workforce credentials tied to high-wage occupations.

Beyond the Four-Year Degree
DeSantis reiterated that a traditional four-year university degree is not the only path to success, noting that many students find lucrative careers in fields like electrical work and HVAC shortly after graduation.

“We want to make sure that our young people have the tools they need to make the most of their God-given ability when they leave our school system,” DeSantis said, adding that Florida’s university tuition remains the lowest in the country for those who do choose the academic route.

The event concluded with officials praising the collaboration between local industry partners, such as Lockheed Martin and Starling Ford, and the school system to ensure students are “workforce ready” on day one.