Peter Dyga, the President and CEO of ABC Florida East Coast Chapter, says there is a growing problem in the state for skilled labor as Florida is predicted to need 100,000 new construction workers by 2026 to meet the demands of Florida’s booming economy and growing population
“We are trying to accomplish this through a program called “construction apprenticeships,” said Dyga.
Florida’s registered apprenticeship programs provide on-the-job training paired with classroom education in high-demand trades such as construction, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work. It’s a unique program because apprentices have to be employed to enter the program. They benefit employers and apprentices.
ABC says so far, it’s been successes such as the “Earn-While-You-Learn” model where apprentices graduate the program with 100% job placement in a higher-paying position, with $0 student debt, all while earning a paycheck.
The program has become popular with apprenticeships seeing a 21% increase from 2023 – 2024.
Dyga credits Florida leaders for doing a great job prioritizing this as a viable pathway to success.
“State officials are investing in the programs and working to improve the programs each year to make them more accessible,” said Dyga.
Also, apprenticeships are a wonderful first choice for postsecondary education. Individuals learn high-demand trades, gain experience in responding to real-world challenges, and have a better understanding of Florida’s safety standards.
Apprenticeship programs are required to partner with local education agencies, like a K-12 school district or a state college.
The Legislature appropriates a good chunk of funding to these programs. But we’ve recently discovered that in some cases, local education organizations pocket up to 60% of state funds from apprentice training and education even though the funding is intended to go directly to registered students.
ABC says it’s time to refocus the funding where it belongs, directly supporting apprentices and their training.
ABC of Florida, the state’s largest commercial construction association, represents over 2,500 contractors, associates, and suppliers. As “The Voice of Commercial Construction,” it advocates for free enterprise and merit-based project awards. Governed by a board with representatives from five regional chapters, ABC of Florida supports an open and competitive construction market.
