Florida Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas highlights workforce training and apprenticeship programs during Apprenticeship Week visit to Ring Power Corporation
Coral Springs, Florida – Workforce training and hands-on education took center stage this week as Florida education and business leaders highlighted the growing role of apprenticeships in shaping the state’s future labor force.
Anastasios Kamoutsas visited Ring Power Corporation on April 30, 2026, to celebrate Apprenticeship Week and meet directly with students participating in one of the state’s expanding workforce training pipelines.
The company currently supports 52 registered apprentices enrolled in Diesel Engine and Heavy Equipment Technician programs. These apprentices are gaining paid, on-the-job experience while developing technical skills that are recognized across the industry. State officials say programs like these are becoming a key example of how education and employment can work together in practical ways.
During his visit, Kamoutsas spoke about Florida’s approach to workforce development and how apprenticeship programs are reshaping opportunities for students who may not follow traditional academic paths.
“Florida continues to lead the nation in workforce education because we have prioritized programs that deliver real opportunities for students and meet the needs of employers,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “Apprenticeships like those at Ring Power are opening doors for Floridians to build successful careers while strengthening the industries that power our state’s economy.”
The visit included conversations with apprentices and industry leaders, offering a closer look at how Florida’s “earn-while-you-learn” model operates in practice. Students in the program split their time between classroom instruction and hands-on training, allowing them to develop skills while earning wages.
Officials say this model is becoming increasingly important as industries face ongoing demand for skilled technicians and workers in specialized fields. Heavy equipment maintenance, diesel engine repair, and similar trades require both technical knowledge and real-world experience, something apprenticeship programs are designed to provide.
State leaders also emphasized the broader coordination behind workforce development efforts in Florida. Under the direction of Governor Ron DeSantis, agencies have focused on aligning education systems with labor market needs, ensuring that training programs are closely tied to employer demand.
The Apprentice Florida initiative has been promoted through partnerships involving the Florida Department of Education, CareerSource Florida, and FloridaCommerce. Together, these organizations aim to expand apprenticeship opportunities and help businesses build stronger talent pipelines.
“Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida has made record investments in workforce education, including into programs like apprenticeship which build a skill-driven relationship between job seeker and job creator,” said Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “As a result, Florida has become #1 in talent development and recruitment for three consecutive years, because Florida’s workforce education programs are now truly employer and industry driven, focusing on the skills that private sector partners demand.”
Business and workforce officials say that ranking reflects not just policy decisions, but also sustained investment in training systems that connect students directly with employers. Programs like the one at Ring Power are often highlighted as real-world examples of how that system functions.
Supporters of the apprenticeship model say it also benefits employers, who gain access to trained workers already familiar with industry standards and expectations. For students, the programs provide an alternative pathway to traditional college routes, often leading directly into stable, high-wage careers.
Adrienne Johnston also emphasized the importance of collaboration between education and industry partners in building long-term workforce strength across the state.
“Florida’s workforce system is strongest when education and industry move together with a shared purpose,” said CareerSource Florida President and CEO Adrienne Johnston. “Apprenticeship continues to create that connection by expanding opportunity for Floridians and supporting workforce needs across key sectors.”
As Apprenticeship Week continues to be observed across the state, officials say the focus remains on expanding access, increasing participation, and ensuring that more students are exposed to career training options early in their education.
Florida leaders have repeatedly framed workforce development as a long-term investment in economic stability, pointing to programs like apprenticeships as a way to prepare for future labor demands while strengthening current industries.
For more information on apprenticeship opportunities, residents are encouraged to visit apprenticefl.com. The full 2024–2025 Annual Apprenticeship Report is also available at www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/research-evaluation/annual-app-reports.stml.
As officials continue to promote workforce training across the state, programs like those at Ring Power remain a central example of how classroom learning and real-world experience are increasingly being combined to prepare Florida’s next generation of skilled workers.
