Florida College System institutions offer postsecondary career and technical education (CTE) programs organized into 17 different career clusters and designed to prepare students for entry into employment.
School district career centers also offer a wide range of career training programs.
Florida College System institutions offer a range of career and technical (CTE) education programs which include advanced technical certificates (ATC), applied technology diplomas (ATD), career certificates, certificate of professional preparation (CPP), and college credit certificates (CCC).
Florida College System institutions also offer a range of career education programs. These include career certificates, apprenticeship programs and college credit programs (Associate in Science (AS) degrees, Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees, College Credit Certificates (CCC), and Applied Technology Diplomas (ATD)). Programs (college credit certificates and career certificates) differ in length depending on the occupation being trained for and the credential earned. The Department of Education provides a curriculum framework for each career education program. The frameworks describe the purpose of the program, structure of the program, length of the program, and the standards covered by the program. The frameworks are currently organized into various career clusters.
College Career Certificates | Enrollment |
Florida Law Enforcement Academy | 2,732 |
Firefighter | 1,394 |
Cosmetology | 1,059 |
Welding Technology | 754 |
Practical Nursing | 743 |
Correctional Officer (Traditional Correctional BRTP) | 675 |
Insurance Claims Adjuster | 595 |
Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician - Combined | 514 |
Facials Specialty | 504 |
Commercial Vehicle Driving | 489 |
Source: Florida Department of Education data. |
The Registered Apprenticeship program combines employer-driven education and employment training with structured OJT and instruction to apprentices for specific occupations. Registered apprentices have access to an experienced on-site journeyworker (or mentor); engage in classroom, online or correspondence learning; have opportunities to attain an industry-recognized and/or postsecondary credential; earn progressively higher wages as the apprentice increases their skill levels, and, upon successful completion of the apprenticeship program, earn a nationally recognized, portable completion certificate issued by the FDOE. Additional information about apprenticeship programs can be found on the department's website.
The top 10 college-supported apprenticeship programs for 2021-22, as reported by the department in terms of enrollment, are listed below.
ApprenticeshipProgram | Enrollment |
Electrician - APPR | 1,248 |
Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Heating Technology - APPR | 352 |
Fire Sprinkler System Technology - APPR | 249 |
Plumbing Technology - APPR | 177 |
Industrial Pipefitter - APPR | 156 |
Electrical Line Service and Repair - APPR | 128 |
Aviation Structure & Assembly Technician - APPR | 25 |
Patient Care Technician - APPR | 22 |
Carpentry - APPR | 20 |
Sheet Metal Fabrication Technology - APPR | 16 |
Source: Florida Department of Education data. |
Associate in Science (AS) and Associate in Applied Science (AAS) are two-year degrees offered by the FCS designed to prepare students for direct entry into high-demand and fast-growing occupations. Some programs also offer transfer options into related bachelor’s degree programs after completion of the AS or AAS degree.
The top 10 college programs for 2021-22, as reported by the department in terms of enrollment, are listed below.
Associate in Science/Applied Science | Enrollment |
Nursing (R.N.) | 18,746 |
Business Administration | 11,705 |
Health Services Management | 4,493 |
Criminal Justice Technology | 4,360 |
Computer Programming and Analysis | 3,868 |
Computer Information Technology | 3,791 |
Early Childhood Education | 2,857 |
Paralegal Studies (Legal Assisting) | 2,852 |
Emergency Medical Services | 2,627 |
Accounting Technology | 2,530 |
Source: Florida Department of Education data. |
College Credit Certificate (CCC) and the Applied Technology Diploma (ATD) programs are short-term segments of an Associate in Science or Associate in Applied Science degree. The ATD is a non-college credit course of study that is less than 60 credit hours, and leads to employment in a specific occupation such as Dental Assisting or Emergency Medical Technician. The College Credit Certificate (CCC) generally can be completed in one year or less and leads to employment in occupations such as Drafting, Information Technology Technician, Office Specialist, Entrepreneurship, Computer Programming, or Educational Assisting.
The top 10 college programs for 2021-22, as reported by the department in terms of enrollment, are listed below.
College Credit Certificate/Applied Technology Diploma | Enrollment |
Business Specialist | 6,812 |
Business Operations | 3,060 |
Business Management | 2,510 |
Emergency Medical Technician | 2,175 |
Paramedic | 1,784 |
Industry Operations Specialist | 1,726 |
Accounting Technology Specialist | 1,601 |
Medical Information Coder/Biller | 1,349 |
Information Technology Support Specialist | 1,037 |
Business Entrepreneurship | 868 |
Source: Florida Department of Education data. |
Career Statewide Articulation Agreements, Report 23-10, November 2023 |
Florida College System Industry Certifications, Report 19-10, October 2019 |
School District Postsecondary Industry Certifications, Report 19-09, October 2019 |
Websites of Interest
Get There, Florida's Workforce Education Initiative
Florida College System
Florida College System Statewide Communications
Florida's PK-20 Education Information Portal
Florida Association for Career and Technical Education
Florida Department of Education, Career and Technical Education
Florida Department of Education, Division of Career and Adult Education
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education
CareerSource Florida
Association of Florida Colleges
Community College Research Center
CareerSource Florida, WIOA Unified State Plan
CareerSource Florida, WIOA Unified State Plan 2-Year Modification (2022-24)
Performance Information
Career and Adult Education, 850-245-0446
Website