MIAMI, Fla.—The CareerSource Florida Board of Directors met for its June meeting at Miami Dade College’s Wolfson Campus to advance workforce investments, strengthen employer engagement strategies, and support initiatives designed to expand education, training, and employment opportunities in high-demand industries.
During the meeting, board members approved workforce funding investments for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, advanced key workforce policies, and received updates on efforts focused on strengthening Florida’s talent pipeline and supporting the state’s economic growth.
CareerSource Florida Board Meeting at Miami Dade College
“The actions taken during this meeting reflect Florida’s continued commitment to creating pathways to opportunity for job seekers while helping businesses access the skilled talent they need to grow,” said CareerSource Florida Board Chair Stephanie Smith. “Through strong partnerships, strategic investments, and employer-driven workforce solutions, we are helping build a workforce system that prepares Floridians for success while meeting the evolving needs of businesses across our state.”
As part of these efforts, board members discussed Florida’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Combined State Plan Two-Year Modification. For the first time, the plan fully integrates Perkins V Career and Technical Education programs into Florida’s workforce strategy. Perkins V supports career and technical education programs that equip students and adult learners with industry-recognized skills, credentials, and workforce training aligned with the needs of Florida employers.
The modification strengthens coordination among CareerSource Florida, FloridaCommerce, and the Florida Department of Education while advancing strategies focused on industry-driven workforce solutions, worker mobility, integrated systems, accountability, flexibility, and innovation. It also includes six waiver requests intended to strengthen workforce service delivery and increase flexibility for local workforce development boards.
The board approved Fiscal Year 2026-2027 set-aside investments supporting strategic workforce priorities across Florida.
Approved set-aside investments include:
- $3 million for the Incumbent Worker Training Grant Program
- $2.5 million for Apprenticeship Expansion in Sectors of Strategic Focus
- $2 million for Rural Workforce Initiatives
- $4.15 million for CareerSource Florida Network Navigator positions
- $800,000 for Veterans Specialist Salary Supplements
These investments support employer talent needs, workforce training opportunities, apprenticeship expansion, rural communities, and specialized workforce services for key populations across the state.
Board members also advanced initiatives designed to strengthen employer engagement throughout Florida’s workforce system. This included approval of Workforce Policy P89 – Business and Employer Services, which establishes a consistent statewide framework for employer engagement while preserving flexibility to meet regional workforce needs. The policy reinforces CareerSource Florida’s employer-driven workforce strategy by aligning workforce investments with labor market demand, expanding work-based learning opportunities, and strengthening partnerships among employers, workforce development organizations, education providers, and economic development partners.
Additionally, board members received an update on a statewide business engagement training initiative currently being implemented across the CareerSource Florida network. The training is designed to equip workforce professionals with tools and strategies that strengthen employer relationships, support business-driven workforce solutions, and enhance the workforce system’s role as a strategic talent partner to Florida businesses. Regional training sessions are taking place statewide through August and will be supplemented by ongoing digital learning opportunities.
During the meeting, the Florida Department of Education provided an update on Workforce Pell. This new federal initiative expands Pell Grant eligibility to certain short-term workforce training programs that lead directly to employment in high-demand occupations. Florida is implementing Workforce Pell through existing workforce and education frameworks, helping ensure training investments remain aligned with employer demand, industry-recognized credentials, and workforce outcomes.
The board also approved updates to several workforce policies related to registered apprenticeship, regional planning, and local workforce development board performance requirements.
During the meeting, board members reviewed the impact of current CareerSource Florida Network set-aside initiatives, which have served more than 1,600 adults, youth, dislocated workers, and Hope Florida participants since July 2025. Those efforts have resulted in:
- More than 1,300 credentials earned
- More than 850 participants securing employment
- More than 650 supportive services provided
Programs supported career exploration, workforce training in high-demand industries, rural workforce initiatives, and pathways to employment for veterans and Hope Florida participants.
CareerSource Florida Board Members and Staff Tour the Wolfson Campus at Miami Dade College.
As part of the two-day meeting schedule, board members participated in a workforce and innovation-focused field experience at Miami Dade College’s Wolfson Campus. The visit included tours of the college’s Innovation Corridor and programs focused on digital animation, cybersecurity, business innovation, and emerging technologies, highlighting workforce education and talent development efforts that prepare students for careers in Florida’s evolving economy.
CareerSource Florida continues to work closely with its network of local workforce development boards and statewide partners to strengthen Florida’s talent pipeline, connect businesses with skilled workers, and expand access to high-quality training and career opportunities for Floridians.
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ABOUT CAREERSOURCE FLORIDA
CareerSource Florida equips local workforce development boards with policy guidance and resources so they can support businesses and job seekers on a journey toward economic empowerment. As directed by its business-led Board of Directors appointed by the governor, CareerSource Florida works in partnership with the state agencies and educational institutions that make up Florida’s workforce development system. Learn more at careersourceflorida.com.