The targeted occupations lists and the Florida Education and Training Placement Information Program (FETPIP) are Florida's primary sources of information about promising employment sectors and occupations and the effectiveness of related training programs. The primary purpose of the targeted lists is to direct federal workforce funding to postsecondary programs that will prepare students for high-demand, high-wage occupations. FETPIP tracks the actual employment rates and earnings of students completing specific programs, which state and local administrators use for reporting purposes and to monitor program performance.
The Legislature recently considered the possibility of using the targeted occupations lists to direct state funding toward career education programs that will produce better student outcomes and meet businesses' needs. However, when using FETPIP to measure public career education programs' outcomes, we found that targeted programs do not perform substantially better than non-targeted programs. In addition, both the targeted lists and FETPIP have some limitations for targeting resources. As a result, it would not be feasible at this time to exclusively use the targeted occupations lists to direct state funding for career education programs.

Florida College System Industry Certifications
Report 19-10 October 2019
School District Postsecondary Industry Certifications
Report 19-09 October 2019
Summary of OPPAGA Reports Examining Workforce Education Programs and Legislative Options
Report 11-07 February 2011
Completing Adult Education Programs Improves Students' Employability, But Program Completion Rates are Low
Report 11-04 January 2011

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.