Florida Apprenticeship Program Boosts Local Workforce

Membership
Published

This post is part of a weekly series focused on Careers in Construction Month.

What is one of the secrets to attracting better trained, higher skilled and happier employees? Enroll them into an apprenticeship program so they can build a career and "earn while they learn." The Builders Association of North Central Florida (BANCF) and its partner Santa Fe College have been training apprentices for nearly three decades, benefiting BANCF members and individuals seeking a fulfilling career.

"A trade is a skill that individuals can have with them forever and is applicable anywhere in the country," said Gina Hill, BANCF's Training Director for Apprenticeship.

BANCF members are invited to opt into the program and agree to sponsor their employee for a low tuition fee per year. Once enrolled in the program, the employee attends classes at the Charles R. Perry Construction Institute at Santa Fe College two nights a week and receives on-the-job training working for their employer. Apprenticeship opportunities are available in carpentry, electrical, HVAC and plumbing. Apprentices make more than $80,000 during their four-year employment in the electrical, heating and air conditioning, or plumbing trades. Earnings can reach $40,000 if enrolled in the two-year carpentry program.

There are more than 200 individuals currently enrolled in the program, and 40 of them are on track to graduate in May 2021. BANCF's graduates often continue their employment with their sponsor, and some eventually start their own business. Hill notes that several graduates are so motivated to inspire others to learn the trades, they become instructors in the program.

To learn more about the program, visit BANCF's website.

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Economics | Housing Affordability

Aug 21, 2025

New and Existing Homes Remain Largely Unaffordable in Second Quarter

While new homes remain largely unaffordable, builder efforts to improve housing affordability paid dividends in the second quarter of 2025, according to the latest data from the NAHB/Wells Fargo Cost of Housing Index (CHI). The CHI results from the second quarter of 2025 show that a family earning the nation’s median income of $104,200 needed 36% of its income to cover the mortgage payment on a median-priced new home. Low-income families, defined as those earning only 50% of median income, would have to spend 71% of their earnings to pay for the same new home.

Economics

Aug 20, 2025

Custom Home Building Grows as Broader Housing Market Struggles

An analysis of census data by NAHB economists shows that custom home building grew 4% in the second quarter of 2025 as high interest rates and home prices suppress demand for traditional spec home production.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Aug 21, 2025

Existing Home Sales Rise in July

Existing home sales rebounded in July as mortgage rates retreated from the recent peak and home price growth slowed, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

Economics

Aug 21, 2025

New and Existing Homes Remain Largely Unaffordable in Second Quarter

While new homes remain largely unaffordable, builder efforts to improve housing affordability paid dividends in the second quarter of 2025, according to the latest data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Cost of Housing Index (CHI).

Economics

Aug 20, 2025

Retreat for Single-Family Built-for-Rent Housing

Single-family built-for-rent construction fell back in the second quarter, as a higher cost of financing crowded out development activity.