In a bold move to strengthen Florida’s future healthcare workforce, the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) announced in May 2025 an additional $12 million in funding through the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program—commonly known as Workforce CAP. This latest investment brings the program’s total to an impressive $200 million since its launch in 2023.

So, what does this mean for health science education? Quite a lot.

These funds are being used to launch, expand, and modernize workforce training programs across Florida’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) system, with a particular emphasis on high-demand fields like healthcare. From upgrading simulation labs and equipment to expanding Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Practical Nursing, and Allied Health programs, the ripple effect of this investment is being felt in both secondary and postsecondary classrooms across the state.

Florida's long-term vision is clear: prepare students with job-ready skills that meet the evolving needs of local industries. By investing heavily in CTE programs now, the state is creating more accessible, affordable, and aligned educational pathways for students to enter healthcare careers with confidence—and credentials—in hand.

These efforts also support the broader state mission to make Florida the national leader in workforce education by 2030. With hospitals, clinics, and care facilities urgently needing skilled professionals, these investments are more than strategic—they're essential for meeting real-world healthcare demands.

This continued support from the FDOE reaffirms a simple truth: when we invest in education, we invest in Florida’s future health and prosperity.