The School District of Lee County is excited to announce it has received a $1.69 million Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Program (Workforce CAP) Grant from the state of Florida. The program is designed to expand workforce education programs with a focus on in-demand industries and aligns with the School District’s priority to expand technical education opportunities for our students.
The funding will be used to create three new academies and expand eight existing ones. One of the new academies is Aviation General Maintenance at Bonita Springs High School. The academy will deliver rigorous, industry-aligned training that prepares students for high-demand aviation careers through hands-on experience and recognized certifications. The School District has partnered with Aviation Precision Technology in Fort Myers to develop the program, providing students with training and employment opportunities.
Fort Myers High School will add an Applied Cybersecurity Academy with the grant funding. This academy will provide students with hands-on training and exposure to current cybersecurity tools, technologies, and best practices, preparing them for postsecondary education and high-wage, high-demand careers in the field. It will also serve as a scalable model for similar programs across the state and play a critical role in advancing Florida’s efforts to strengthen STEM education and develop a future-ready workforce.
A Modeling and Simulation Academy will be added to the career and technical education programs at North Fort Myers High School. The academy will prepare students for postsecondary education and careers in the Manufacturing, Information Technology, and Engineering and Technology Education career clusters. It will offer a comprehensive course sequence, including M&S Foundations, M&S Design, M&S Applications, and M&S Prototyping and Innovation, which integrates technical training with the development of essential soft skills.
“We are excited to continue to add new career-oriented academies to our high schools,” said Matt Bredenkamp, Director of Career and Adult Education. “The demand for aviation mechanics, cybersecurity experts, and modeling and simulation engineers is growing. We look forward to developing these programs with our local businesses and providing them with certified graduates ready to go to work.”
The eight career and technical education programs expanding are:
- Advanced Manufacturing Technology at Gateway High School
- Aerospace Technologies at Bonita Springs High School
- Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Heating Technology at Bonita Springs High School
- Allied Health Assisting at South Fort Myers High School
- Applied Engineering Technology at Estero High School
- Nursing Assistant at Bonita Springs High School
- Welding Technology at East Lee County High School
- Welding Technology at Ida S. Baker High School
“This $1.6 million Workforce CAP Grant is a game-changer for the School District,” said Ed Mathews, Associate Superintendent for Adult, Career, Technical, and Alternative Education. “Expanding our career academies allows us to align education directly with priorities and the needs of local businesses, giving students hands-on experience, industry certifications, and a clear path to high-demand careers. When schools and employers work together, we’re not just preparing students for graduation, we’re preparing them for life.”
This latest investment strengthens the School District’s career academies. In 2024, the School District was awarded $2 million to start an Applied Robotics program at Island Coast High School, a Solar Academy at Estero High School, and an Environmental Water and Reclamation program at Cypress Lake High School. Six high schools were able to expand existing academies. In 2023, the School District received $1.2 million to add the first Manufacturing Program in Lee County at Gateway High School, while also adding Medical Laboratory Assisting programs at Estero, Gateway, and South Fort Myers High Schools.
Workforce CAP funding supports the creation and expansion of workforce development programs across the state, offering students in high school and postsecondary education programs hands-on training in high-demand industries.
