Commissioner Kamoutsas Celebrates Apprenticeship Week at Ring Power Corporation
April 30, 2026
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Commissioner Kamoutsas Celebrates Apprenticeship Week at Ring Power Corporation
Commissioner Kamoutsas and Senior Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell visit the Ring Power Corporation’s St. Johns County Campus for Apprenticeship Week.
St. Augustine, Fla., April 30, 2026 – Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas celebrated Apprenticeship Week during a visit to Ring Power Corporation. The company currently supports 52 registered apprentices in its Diesel Engine and Heavy Equipment Technician programs, providing paid, hands-on experience and industry-recognized skill development. The visit showcased Florida’s nation-leading workforce education and the continued expansion of high-quality apprenticeship opportunities across the state.
“Florida continues to lead the nation in workforce education because we have prioritized programs that deliver real opportunities for students and meet the needs of employers,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “Apprenticeships like those at Ring Power are opening doors for Floridians to build successful careers while strengthening the industries that power our state’s economy.”
During the visit, the Commissioner met with apprentices and industry leaders to see firsthand how Florida’s “earn-while-you-learn” model is equipping students for high-wage, in-demand careers. Programs like those at Ring Power highlight the impact of strong partnerships between education and industry, delivering measurable results for Florida’s current and future workforce.
Governor Ron DeSantis has prioritized strong alignment across Florida’s workforce and education systems. Through that continued focus, the Apprentice Florida initiative has been championed by the Florida Department of Education, CareerSource Florida and FloridaCommerce as a coordinated effort to help businesses develop apprenticeship programs and expand workforce opportunities in industries critical to Florida’s economy.
“Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida has made record investments in workforce education, including into programs like apprenticeship which build a skill-driven relationship between job seeker and job creator,” said Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “As a result, Florida has become #1 in talent development and recruitment for three consecutive years, because Florida’s workforce education programs are now truly employer and industry driven, focusing on the skills that private sector partners demand.”
“Florida’s workforce system is strongest when education and industry move together with a shared purpose,” said CareerSource Florida President and CEO Adrienne Johnston. “Apprenticeship continues to create that connection by expanding opportunity for Floridians and supporting workforce needs across key sectors.”
Florida is building the strongest workforce in the nation by investing in real skills, real careers and real opportunities. For more information regarding apprenticeships, please visit apprenticefl.com. To read the full 2024-2025 Annual Apprenticeship Report, visit www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/research-evaluation/annual-app-reports.stml.
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