2025 Workforce Development Highlights: How Florida Is Preparing for the Tech Jobs of Tomorrow

Florida is boldly stepping into the semiconductor era. Across the state, educators, students, and community partners are connecting classroom learning with the high-tech careers that will define our future. FSI is assisting these programs in preparing for the coming years, coordinating efforts, strengthening partnerships, and helping build pathways so that every region has a role in Florida’s semiconductor story.

What’s Been Happening Across Florida in 2025

Throughout 2025, FSI has been on the ground visiting schools, colleges, and industry partners in every corner of the state. These visits revealed both the opportunities and the shared commitment to preparing Florida’s students for tomorrow’s technology-driven workforce.

Northern Florida (Florida Panhandle)

From Okaloosa to Leon County, students are exploring robotics, CAD design, and certifications like Fusion 360 connecting classroom learning to advanced manufacturing and semiconductor careers.

• Cleanroom and Lab Readiness: Tallahassee State College is building simulated clean lab facilities that will open doors to high-wage technician and engineering jobs.
• Strong Teacher Champions: Educators with industry experience, like a former Intel engineer now teaching robotics in Niceville, are inspiring the next generation by blending classroom instruction with real-world knowledge.
• FAMU-UF Collaboration: Florida A&M University students recently visited the University of Florida for a two-day, hands-on engineering experience designed to enhance their coursework and deepen their understanding of semiconductor concepts through real-world application.
• Future State of the Santa Rosa Center for Innovation: Opening in 2026, this K-12 STEM hub will offer students field trips, small-group learning, after-school programs, and summer camps with cutting-edge experiences in VR, robotics, hydroponics, and more, including opportunities to explore how semiconductors power the technologies they use every day a true paradise for STEM learning.

Tampa Bay Region

The Tampa Bay area continues to grow as a hub for semiconductor-related education and industry collaboration.

• St. Petersburg College received $7.5 million in CAP and Florida Growth Grants to build a simulated cleanroom that will integrate into its Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Technology programs. The college’s strong industry partners Lifelink, Honeywell, and Plasma-Therm are helping ensure alignment between training and real-world needs.
• This program directly feeds into the NRT cleanroom facility at the University of South Florida, strengthening the region’s pipeline from college training to advanced research and production.
• Simpson Technical College in Hernando County has established an Emerging Technology Taskforce uniting local manufacturers, economic development leaders, educators, and industry partners to attract new technology industries to the area.
• A similar collaboration is forming in Charlotte County, where education, industry, and workforce leaders are convening to attract emerging technology businesses to their region.

Central Florida

Spanning Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties, Central Florida is home to several firsts in semiconductor workforce training:

• Valencia College launched Florida’s first Associate in Science in Semiconductor Technology program, marking a historic milestone for the state.
• Osceola and Seminole County School Districts have established strong K–12 pipeline programs aligned to this emerging industry.
• Orange Technical College is integrating semiconductor components into its mechatronics curriculum.
• Seminole State College is embedding semiconductor curriculum into its Engineering Technology degree, further strengthening the region’s educational ecosystem.

Brevard County

Brevard’s education and training institutions continue to lead with strong alignment between high school, college, and industry:

• Eastern Florida State College is developing an A.S. degree in Semiconductors to meet regional workforce needs.
• Brevard Adult is introducing industry certifications aligned with advanced manufacturing skill sets.
• Brevard Public Schools continues to expand its high school STEM programs to ensure students are workforce-ready upon graduation.

Miami-Dade Region

Innovation continues to surge in South Florida:

• Miami Dade College is updating its existing A.S. degree to include Nano-Manufacturing, complemented by the construction of an on-campus cleanroom facility. Collaboration between college leadership and the district continues to drive the region’s progress and success in advanced manufacturing and semiconductor education.

North Central Florida (Alachua & Putnam Counties)

As the home of FSI, this region represents the heart of Florida’s semiconductor workforce development efforts.

• Santa Fe College launched its Engineering Technology program, with semiconductor components embedded throughout the curriculum.
• Putnam County Schools are taking a proactive approach by integrating semiconductor concepts early in their STEM programming, exposing students to these pathways before high school graduation.

Professional Development Across the State

In addition to regional visits, FSI has coordinated multiple professional development sessions to equip educators with hands-on training. Collaborating with Amatrol and AmSkills, FSI hosted IGNITE training sessions that brought instructors from as far as Jacksonville together for two-day sessions focused on using new equipment and teaching tools being delivered into Florida classrooms.

Building the Bridge from Awareness to Opportunity

Florida’s strength lies in connecting regional assets into a coordinated statewide strategy. Through FSI, schools and colleges gain:

• Access to cutting-edge curricula and credentials co-developed with industry.
• Partnerships with employers who provide internships, apprenticeships, and entry-level jobs.
• Educator professional development to integrate semiconductor content into existing STEM and CTE pathways.

Why It Matters

The semiconductor industry isn’t just about chips it’s about securing Florida’s economic future, creating 10,000+ high-wage jobs, and ensuring our students are ready for the tech jobs of tomorrow. By activating every district, Florida is building a resilient and globally competitive workforce that reflects the innovative spirit of our state.

Where We’re Going Next

This year was an era of visits, listening, and momentum-building. In 2026, FSI will continue engaging with schools, colleges, and industry partners across Florida to deepen connections, scale successful programs, and highlight new regional stories that reinforce our statewide mission.

“Florida is proving that with vision, collaboration, and statewide coordination, we can prepare our students and our economy for the tech jobs of tomorrow,” said the FSI Workforce Development team.