The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) will expand its Apprenticeships in Construction Technologies to the middle and upper Keys this upcoming fall semester, which begins August 19. Plumbing and Carpentry will be available in the middle Keys, Electrical and HVAC will be available in the upper Keys, and Electrical and Carpentry will be available in Key West. Two virtual information sessions are set to help prospective students learn about the trade professions, career outlooks, and CFK’s tuition-free, “earn while you learn” programs. Registration for the event is required. Visit the College’s website at FKCC.edu/apprenticeships to learn more and to register.
CFK’s apprenticeship programs partner the College with Florida’s Department of Education, U.S. Department of Labor, as well as local construction businesses to provide education and training in all aspects of the respective trades—from conceptual to practical skills. In the College’s “learn while you earn” model, students are employed full-time with a sponsoring employer that is partnered with CFK. They attend classes, which are tuition-free, while developing their skills through on-the-job training with their sponsor. As apprentice students advance through the program, their progress is rewarded with periodic wage increases.
Upon successful program completion, an apprentice will be considered a “journey worker” and will receive a four-level certification by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) as well as a nationally-recognized Completion of Apprenticeship certificate by the State of Florida.
In February, CFK was awarded $2,553,653 to expand its construction apprenticeship programs throughout Monroe County. CFK was one of only seven organizations awarded through the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s (DEO) Rebuild Florida Workforce Recovery Training Program to help communities impacted by Hurricane Irma. The program, administered by DEO, is designed to train Floridians in construction trades necessary to support disaster recovery efforts.
For more information about participating in any of CFK’s apprenticeships, as either a student or an employer, please contact Megan Perez, Director of Community Engagement and Testing, at apprenticeships@fkcc.edu or 305-809-3185, or visit the College’s website at FKCC.edu/apprenticeships.
