CTE stands for Career and Technical Education and CTAE is Career Technical and Adult Education; both terms are interchangeable. CTE/CTAE programs offer students of all ages the academic and technical skills, knowledge and training necessary to succeed in a career of interest. In Florida, we offer programs in 17 career pathways directly aligned with our emerging industries, including aviation and aerospace, healthcare, information technology, manufacturing and more. To learn more about our career pathways, please visit a few of our helpful resources such as the Get There Career Pathways page and the Florida Department of Education’s Career and Technical Education page.  

Unique to adult education, we offer you the opportunity to strengthen your skills in foundation courses such as reading, writing, math and English language competency through programs such as Adult Basic Education Adult High School and GED^® Preparation, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). To help you achieve your goals quicker, we also offer Integrated Education Training (IET). IET gives you the opportunity to enroll in foundation courses and career and technical education programs at the same time. For more information on our adult education programs, please visit our Adult Education page and the Florida Department of Education’s Adult Education page.  

Yes. In Florida, we are committed to offering you and all students the resources needed to earn high-value post-secondary degrees and/or certifications. We and our statewide partners offer a variety of financial aid assistance through scholarships, loans and grants. For information on statewide financial aid programs, please visit the Office of Student Financial Assistance’s website. 

 Your local institutions may offer additional financial assistance opportunities. For more information, find an institution near you. Start Your Search, enter your zip code, select your preferences on our website and contact your preferred institution.  

Florida’s CTAE programs are designed to meet local industry needs, providing you with a transformative education where you can earn the high-value credentials and certifications needed to start a high-wage career. Based on your interests, we encourage you to learn more about Florida’s pathways by visiting the Get There Career Pathways Page and the Florida Department of Education’s Career and Technical Education page.  

 Once you’ve selected a career pathway, you’re ready to start your search for a college near you. To begin, enter your zip code, select your preferences on our website and you are ready to Start Your Search. 

You have the choice to pursue any of the hundreds of programs offered at one of the 28 state colleges, 48 district technical colleges and many adult education providers. To start your search, we encourage you to select a career pathway aligned with your interests. Once you’ve selected a career pathway, you’re ready to start your search for a college near you.  

To begin, enter your zip code, select your preferences on our website, and Start Your Search. 

• For CTE programs, filter by using the “State and Technical Colleges” drop down, 
• For Adult Educations programs like GED and ESOL, filter but using the “Adult Education” drop down.  

As an out-of-state student, we encourage you to contact the admissions office for the education institution you are interested in. To find an institution near you, use the Start Your Search page and type in your zip code. 

To begin, visit the Start Your Search page, enter your zip code and select your preferences on the website. Next filter by using the “State and Technical Colleges” drop down and find the institution closest to you. Feel free to use the institution’s website, call or email to learn more about their programs and how to enroll.  

CTE pathways cover many interests and provide affordable ways for you to gain the skills and education needed to be successful and secure a job in one of Florida’s emerging industries. Align your interests with a career pathway and choose from hundreds of programs available at one of Florida’s state or technical colleges. Learn more about Florida’s 17 career pathways.  

No, not usually. Participating in a CTE program doesn’t typically have prerequisites like traditional academic programs do. However, there may be some general requirements or considerations depending on the specific program or institution. There are requirements to be considered for a CTE program including:  

• Must be 16 years of age or older 
• Not enrolled in day school 
• Have a Florida ID/Driver’s License 
• Have a Social Security Number (if applicable) 

Yes. In Florida, there are opportunities for work-based learning within Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Work-based learning experiences are integral components of many CTE programs, providing students with hands-on, real-world experience in their chosen career fields. These opportunities can help students develop essential skills, gain industry-specific knowledge, and make connections with professionals in their field of interest.

These work-based learning opportunities are typically coordinated through partnerships between educational institutions, industry partners, and community organizations. In Florida, work-based learning opportunities in CTE programs can take various forms, including: 

• Apprenticeships 
• Internships  
• Job Shadowing 

Yes. In Florida, students can earn college credit through CTE programs. There are several pathways through which students can earn college credits while participating in CTE programs

• Dual Enrollment
• Articulation Agreements
• Advanced Placement (AP) Courses
• Industry Certifications
• CTE College Credit Acceleration Programs

CTE offers a variety of benefits. With CTE you can earn a credential in an in-demand industry, often in one year or less, gain real-world experience, come out of a program with little debt and obtain a mid- to high-wage job in an industry that needs employees now.

Yes. In both high school and middle school in Florida, there are CTE programs available. These courses are designed to introduce students to the 17 career pathways, provide hands-on learning experiences and develop essential skills for success in the workforce. To find an available program at your institution, contact your school counselor.

In Florida, we offer an array within two types of Adult Education pathways:

• High School Diploma, often called GED^®.
• English Speakers of Other Languages, often referred to as ESOL.

To be eligible to join a GED^® program you must:

• Not be enrolled in an accredited high school
• Not have graduated from an accredited high school or received a high school diploma
• Be 18 years of age or older*
• Have a valid government-issued ID and Social Security number

To be eligible to join an ESOL program you must:

• Must be at least 16 years of age
• Not be enrolled in high school
• Have a valid U.S. government-issued ID

Adult Education programs offer students the skills they need to take the next step. These courses also offer continuous enrollment, online classes, flexible scheduling and convenient locations.

• GED^® Benefits: Earning a high school diploma unlocks the door to opportunity – to that promotion, a job where you can advance, becoming the manager, career training programs, college and financial independence.
• ESOL Benefits: ESOL classes teach English to speakers of other languages. Adult classes offer listening, speaking, reading, writing and grammar skills to adults 16 years of age and older.

To begin, enter your zip code, select your preferences on our website, available on the Start Your Search page. Next filter by using the “Adult Education programs” drop down and find the institution closest to you. Feel free to use the institution’s website, call or email to learn more about their programs and how to enroll.

Yes. GED^® prep courses and ESOL classes serve as a springboard for job and career training. Integrated Education and Training (IET) provides students an accelerated path to workforce training opportunities while improving needed English skills. Ask your preferred institution about their IET offerings and how to take advantage of IET training to gain key basic skills while pursuing occupational or industry-specific training.  

We appreciate your desire to teach our Florida students. As a teacher, you will make a direct impact by strengthening our workforce, fueling our economy and teaching students the skills needed to begin high-wage and sustaining careers. To learn more about Florida’s teacher or administrator certification process, please visit the Certificate Pathways & Routes page.

Each education institution manages their internal hiring process. We encourage you to contact the providers in your area using the Start Your Search feature on our website. Based on your provided area of residence, we’ve identified the education providers in your area.