TALLAHASSEE, FL – February 2, 2026 — In celebration of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, the Florida Charter School Alliance is recognizing the critical role CTE charter school programs play in preparing students for high-demand careers and strengthening Florida’s workforce pipeline.
Florida’s CTE programs provide students with real-world, hands-on learning opportunities that prepare them for success in today’s global economy. Many programs also partner with higher education institutions and local businesses to ensure students graduate with meaningful, industry-recognized credentials aligned to workforce needs.
Building the Future
Here are a few examples of innovative and successful charter school CTE programs.
Somerset Career Academy, in St. Lucie County, is part of the Somerset Academy network of high-performing public charter schools. To meet the growing demand for high-quality college-prep and career-focused high schools in her community, Principal Erika Rains launched both Somerset College Preparatory Academy and Somerset Career Academy, offering rigorous academic coursework, and students can participate in hands-on training programs in electrical work, welding, and carpentry, helping them build real skills and explore career pathways before graduation.
SouthTech Academy in Palm Beach County is an ever-evolving program that partners with industry leaders to offer Automotive, Medical, IT, Culinary Arts, TV production, Music Production, Cosmetology, Veterinary Assisting, Agriculture Technology, and more to high school students. The school’s dynamic workforce and college-prep courses have been a model of excellence for decades.
Watch our conversation with their executive director, Carla Lovett, here.
The City of Hialeah Educational Academy (COHEA) was created through a municipal/charter school partnership to raise the graduation rate in the City of Hialeah, a working-class Hispanic community, that lacked high quality school choice options, and provide students with a variety of academic opportunities, including Dual Enrollment, Advanced Placement (AP) Courses, the Cambridge AICE Program, and the AP Capstone Diploma. Students simultaneously prepare for future careers through robust Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways — in partnership with the City of Hialeah Police and Fire Departments — including Fire Fighting, EMT, EKG, Nursing, Digital Design, Legal Studies, and more. Founding principal Carlos Alvarez (who now leads SLAM Miami Charter School) has presented at conferences nationwide on the topic “Schools and Career & Technical Education: A Winning Strategy for Students,” sharing insights on how COHEA is preparing students for future success through innovative pathways and opportunities to become tomorrow’s civic leaders. Under his leadership, COHEA became one of the nation’s top-rated public charter schools and has been replicated in Nevada and Colorado.
Florida has seen remarkable growth in CTE opportunities in recent years. During the 2020-21 school year, the state had only one charter technical career center: Lake Technical College, sponsored by the Lake County School Board. By the 2024-25 school year, Florida achieved record-breaking CTE enrollment, serving more than 818,000 K-12 students. Through these programs, students gain marketable skills, earn industry certifications, and often complete internships that prepare them for high-wage careers or postsecondary education.
State leaders have also supported Florida’s continued expansion of workforce education. Governor DeSantis has been a vocal supporter of CTE programs and their growth through the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program, which has allocated $240 million to bolster workforce education and training statewide. “Florida has built an education system that delivers outcomes, opens doors to high-wage careers, and strengthens our state’s long-term prosperity. Workforce education is a crucial part of this effort,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “We made historic investments in the career and technical education pathways that help young people prepare for in-demand jobs and attract investment to our state. Florida is now the number one state in the country for workforce education—years ahead of the 2030 target I set in my Executive Order.”
According to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, approximately 140,000 students nationwide attend CTE programs through 380 highly specialized charter schools. These schools help communities meet the growing demand for skilled workers by offering responsive education models that align directly with workforce needs. Whether students are designing sustainable agriculture systems, building flight simulators, earning IT credentials, or interning with Fortune 500 companies, CTE charter schools provide immersive experiences that prepare graduates for the future of work.
About Florida’s CTE Programs
Florida CTE programs are structured around 17 career clusters designed to meet local economic demands. Common clusters include: Health Science: Nursing assistants, medical technicians; Information Technology: Cybersecurity, web design; Engineering & Technology: Robotics, drafting; Architecture & Construction: HVAC, electrical, plumbing; Transportation, Distribution & Logistics: Automotive repair, aviation; Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources; and Arts, A/V Technology & Communication.
