State Summary: Florida

This summary page provides state-specific information on K-12 students’ credentials earned in comparison to employer demand and the CTE programs and policies that impact credential attainment.
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State Alignment:

Moderate Alignment


Years of Data Collected: 2007 - 2020

Postsecondary data is available for this state

Florida is one of four states that submitted postsecondary credential attainment data for analysis.

High School Date Range: 2018-19

Key High School Indicators

Total Students
Enrolled

859,500

Total
CTE Concentrators

138,255 ( 17% )

Total Credentials
Earned

198,861

Total Credentials Earned in Demand

46,971 (24%)

Top 5 Career Clusters for Students Concentrating in CTE

1. Health Science
31,612 (4%)
2. Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications
20,455 (3%)
3. Hospitality & Tourism
13,196 (2%)
4. Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
12,274 (2%)
5. Information Technology
12,220 (2%)

Sources: Burning Glass Technologies, state education agencies, Perkins Data Explorer and the National Center for Education Statistics.


Are the credentials students earn in high school aligned with jobs demanded in the workforce?

Top Credentials by Demand

Credentials Demanded

  • 1. Microsoft Office Specialist #2 in Supply
  • 226,302
  • 2. NCLEX - Registered Nurse
  • 146,112
  • 3. Commercial Driver's License
  • 57,604
  • 4. Licensed Practical Nurse
  • 22,878
  • 5. Electrician License
  • 16,980
  • 6. Certified Medical Assistant
  • 12,586
  • 7. Automotive Service Excellence Certification
  • 12,369
  • 8. QuickBooks Certified User
  • 11,117
  • 9. Adobe Certified Associate #1 in Supply
  • 10,956
  • 10. Adobe Certified Expert
  • 10,956

Top Credentials by Supply

Credentials Earned

  • 1. Adobe Certified Associate #9 in Demand
  • 39,934
  • 2. Microsoft Office Specialist #1 in Demand
  • 23,096
  • 3. Certified Internet Web Certification
  • 14,079
  • 4. ServSafe Certification (Manager/Food Handler/Allergens/Alcohol)
  • 11,513
  • 5. IC3 Certification
  • 10,651
  • 6. ICT Cybersecurity Essentials
  • 10,026
  • 7. ICT Word Processing Essentials
  • 7,456
  • 8. ICT Multimedia Essentials
  • 7,418
  • 9. Microsoft Technology Associate
  • 7,338
  • 10. ICT Communication Essentials
  • 6,491

Sources: Burning Glass Technologies and state education agencies

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In which career clusters are students earning credentials?

Top Career Clusters

  • Career Cluster
  • % Credentials Earned in Demand
  • Total Credentials Earned
1.Information Technology 14% 124,362
2.Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications 29% 60,327
3.Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics 31% 16,393
4.Hospitality & Tourism 69% 12,030
5.Health Science 34% 11,019
Information Technology

Top 5 Credentials in the Career Cluster

  • Credential
  • Credentials
    Demanded Earned
1.Certified Internet Web Certification 1 14,079
2.ICT Cybersecurity Essentials 0 10,026
3.ICT Word Processing Essentials 0 7,456
4.ICT Multimedia Essentials 0 7,418
5.Microsoft Technology Associate 182 7,338
Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications

Top 5 Credentials in the Career Cluster

  • Credential
  • Credentials
    Demanded Earned
1.Adobe Certified Associate 10,956 39,934
2.ICT Communication Essentials 0 6,491
3.ICT Gaming Essentials 0 5,452
4.Toon Boom Certified Associate 0 607
5.Adobe Certified Expert 10,956 298
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Top 5 Credentials in the Career Cluster

  • Credential
  • Credentials
    Demanded Earned
1.REC Pre-Engineering Certification 0 653
2.Biotechnician Assistant Credential 0 518
3.Florida Engineering Core Certification 0 274
4.REC Robotics Certification 0 192
5.NCATT Aerospace/Aircraft Assembler 0 9
Hospitality & Tourism

Top 5 Credentials in the Career Cluster

  • Credential
  • Credentials
    Demanded Earned
1.ServSafe Certification (Manager/Food Handler/Allergens/Alcohol) 7,528 11,513
2.ProStart National Certificate of Achievement 0 324
3.Certified Front Desk Supervisor 0 193
4.American Culinary Federation Certification 69 0
5.Certified Restaurant Server 187 0
Health Science

Top 5 Credentials in the Career Cluster

  • Credential
  • Credentials
    Demanded Earned
1.EMT / Paramedic License 3,657 2,303
2.Certified EEG/EKG/ECG Technician 5,330 2,246
3.Certified Nursing Assistant 0 2,043
4.Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant 0 357
5.Certified Phlebotomy Technician 17 156

Sources: Burning Glass Technologies and state education agencies

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Which state credential policies and processes are in place?

K-12
Policy Indicators
Postsecondary
  • State collects attainment data for individual industry credentials.
  • State collects attainment data directly from at least one credentialing entity.
  • State maintains a list of approved credentials.
  • State develops approved credential list collaboratively with employers and industry.
  • State defines criteria to identify industry-recognized credentials that are in-demand or of value.
  • State includes credentials in accountability system(s).
    N/A
  • State and/or federal funds are available for industry credential exam fees.
  • State has a credential incentive policy.
  • N/A
    Statewide articulation policy awards postsecondary credit for credentials earned in K-12.
  • N/A
    State postsecondary funding formula incentivizes credential attainment.

Sources: Burning Glass Technologies and state education agencies


Policy Recommendations for Consideration

Improve Data Collection

  • Align clear definitions and criteria for credentials of value across K-12 and postsecondary systems – with business and industry at the table.
  • Strengthen data quality across K-12 and postsecondary systems.

Increase Alignment

  • Reduce credential oversupply - phase out misaligned programs/credentials that lead to dead end, low wage, low-demand jobs.
  • Reduce credential undersupply - add or expand programs/credentials that lead to mid/high-wage, in-demand jobs with career advancement potential.

Expand Access and Improve Outcomes

  • Regularly evaluate and provide transparent reporting of student outcomes associated with credential attainment across K-12 and postsecondary.
  • Expand access to and equity in high-value career pathway and credential offerings across K-12 and postsecondary.
  • Clearly communicate the value of credentials across sectors and audiences.

View the complete Recommendations