The Northeast Florida Builders Association said July 19 its apprentice program will receive $750,000 in state funding in the 2025-2026 Florida budget .
State Sen. Jennifer Bradley, R- Fleming Island, and House Speaker Pro Tempore Wyman Duggan, R-Jacksonville, introduced legislation for the funding, which comes amid a 45% increase in enrollment in the 50-year-old program over the past five years.
NEFBA says 450 apprentices are participating in the program, a number that is expected to rise to 600 over the next three years due to high demand for workers in the electrical, HVAC, carpentry, and plumbing trades.
Students in the apprentice program work for private businesses and are paid at least 50% of a journeyman’s wage, which varies by trade.
Enrollment for four-year program is free for participants, whose employers pay the tuition. About 200 NEFBA member businesses participate in the program, said Jesse Spradley, NEFBA executive officer.
With participation increasing, NEFBA is preparing to build a headquarters at 4932 Sunbeam Road that will include a Workforce Development Center. The $9 million, 43,000-square-foot headquarters will have four labs, 11 classrooms, an auditorium and office space for the NEFBA staff.
It is expected to open in early 2026.
Spradley said the architectural design of the building is nearly complete and NEFBA has hired a contractor.