Overview of Florida CTE Internship Programs in High Schools
The Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) administers Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in high schools, organized into 17 career clusters to align with workforce demands. These programs integrate rigorous academics with technical skills, emphasizing work-based learning (WBL) such as internships, apprenticeships, and job shadowing to prepare students for postsecondary education or employment. The Architecture & Construction career cluster (CIP Code: 46.0000) focuses on designing, planning, managing, building, and maintaining the built environment, with pathways in areas like building construction, carpentry, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and construction management. To complete a pathway and earn a CTE endorsement on the diploma, students must:
- Complete a sequence of three or more CTE courses (introductory, technical, and application levels).
- Earn an industry-recognized credential (e.g., OSHA 10, NCCER Level 1, Autodesk Certified User).
- Participate in a WBL experience, often as a capstone.
Internships are credit-bearing, supervised placements funded through Perkins V grants and local partnerships. They prioritize paid opportunities for juniors/seniors (age 16+), with FLDOE’s 2025-26 frameworks requiring at least 100-150 hours for completers. Construction jobs in Florida are projected to grow 12% through 2030, with entry-level wages averaging $45,000+.
Key Internship Program: Career and Technical Education Internship (Course #8300430) in Architecture & Construction
The primary FLDOE-approved internship is the CTE Internship, a WBL capstone course available statewide in approved programs. It applies classroom skills in real-world settings like construction sites or design firms, counting toward pathway completion and the CTE graduation option (introduced 2019-20, requiring two CTE credits plus WBL).
| Course/Program Name | Credits | Level/Grade | Description | Eligibility/Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career and Technical Education Internship (8300430) | 1-2 (full-year) | Application/Capstone (Juniors/Seniors) | Supervised paid/unpaid placement (10-20 hours/week) at construction firms, applying skills in site prep, blueprint reading, safety, or trades like carpentry/plumbing. Includes mentor evaluations, reflective journals, and portfolio development; aligns with SkillsUSA competitions. Leads to pre-apprenticeship hours. | Age 16+; 2+ pathway credits; teacher recommendation; employer partnership via school coordinator. Minimum 130 hours; transportation student responsibility. Paid options preferred (e.g., $15+/hour). |
| Diversified Career Technology Internship (Course #8207310, Construction Focus) | 0.5-1 | Application (Seniors) | Part-time WBL (e.g., 15 hours/week) in maintenance/operations, emphasizing sustainable practices or project management. Offered in districts like Miami-Dade for urban construction. | Pathway enrollment; good attendance; aligns with FLDOE WBL guidelines. Counts toward CTE diploma pathway. |
| Student Construction Internship (FDOT Statewide WBL) | Variable (School-Year/Summer) | Exploratory/Application (Juniors/Seniors) | Paid placements (up to 40 hours/week) with FDOT contractors in road/bridge construction; includes safety training and site work. Registers students ages 16-24 for matches. | CTE enrollment in Construction; application via FDOT portal. Focuses on workforce pipeline; no cost to employers. |
These integrate into the pathway sequence (per 2025-26 FLDOE frameworks):
- Introductory: Foundations of Architecture & Construction (1 cr.), OSHA 10 Safety (0.5 cr.).
- Technical (Construction Focus): Building Construction Technologies (1 cr.), Electrical/Electronics (1 cr.), HVAC Operations (1 cr.), Plumbing (1 cr.).
- Application (WBL Capstone): Advanced Construction with Internship (2 cr.), leading to NCCER or Autodesk credentials.
District and Program Examples
FLDOE approves CTE pathways in over 500 high schools, with Architecture & Construction offered in ~300 districts. Implementation varies, often partnering with SkillsUSA, ABC Florida, and local builders. Examples:
- Miami-Dade County Public Schools: Architecture & Construction pathways at 50+ high schools (e.g., Miami Palmetto Senior); includes Pre-Apprenticeship Building Trades with paid internships via South Florida CareerSource. 3-year sequence with WBL capstone; 85% completers earn credentials.
- Broward County Public Schools: Available at all high schools; Construction Management pathway with internships at firms like Turner Construction. Emphasizes urban trades; integrates with TSA/SkillsUSA.
- Volusia County Schools: Building Construction program with WBL at sites like Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University partners; focuses on problem-solving and employability skills.
- Brevard Public Schools: CTE Internships in construction trades; partners with local businesses for 100+ placements annually, aligning with pathway completers.
- Florida Virtual School (FLVS): Online Construction pathway with virtual WBL simulations leading to in-person internships.
For a full list, see the 2025-26 FLDOE Approved Courses or CTE Programs by District.
Additional Opportunities and Resources
- CTE Graduation Pathway Option: Allows diploma via 3 CTE credits + WBL/internship, bypassing some traditional requirements.
- FDOT Student Construction Career Academy: Immersive events and internships for high schoolers; annual Construction Career Days.
- Certifications: Funded via CTE grants; OSHA, NCCER, and Autodesk integrated into internships.
- How to Apply: Contact school CTE coordinator; applications open fall (e.g., FDOT registration via floridaroadjobs.com). Parent consent and working papers required for minors.
- Outcomes: CTE concentrators achieve 95%+ graduation rates; construction pathways yield 80%+ postsecondary/workforce placement.
For details, visit FLDOE CTE Page or email CTE@fldoe.org. Florida’s construction sector demands 50,000+ workers annually, making these programs vital for economic growth.