Nearly $1 billion was spent on eight major employment training programs to serve over a million people in 1994-95. These programs include vocational education programs delivered by public schools and community colleges and employment assistance programs. This report determines how well these programs help people find jobs and what the Legislature should consider in reforming the state's workforce development system.
Vocational education programs vary by occupation, participant completion, and employment outcomes. While students who complete such programs tend to obtain good earnings, many fail to finish. Employment assistance programs administered by the Department of Labor and Employment Security vary by size, population served, and employment outcomes. The earnings of some participants exceed the poverty level, but other participants still rely on public assistance. Participants in employment assistance programs may not get sufficient occupational training. OPPAGA found that only 6% of employment assistance program participants completed a vocational education program in 1993-94. However, those who did complete a vocational education program worked more and earned more than other participants.
To revise the workforce development system, the Legislature must examine the program design, the motivation of participants, the occupations in which individuals are trained, and how individuals are prepared for the world of employment.

Profile of Changes to Florida's Public Career Education Program Offerings
Report 10-35 April 2010
School Districts and Florida College System Institutions Frequently Change Their Career Education Programs
Report 10-34 April 2010
Florida Should Not Use the Targeted Occupations Lists as the Sole Criteria to Fund Career Education Programs
Report 10-26 March 2010
Public Career Education Programs Differ From Private Programs on Their Admission Requirements, Costs, Financial Aid Availability, and Student Outcomes
Report 10-18 January 2010

Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.