ABC FEC’s Apprenticeship Expansion Request Included in State Proposed Budget

Higher Education Budget Chair, Representative Demi Busatta, with Co-Chair, Senator Gayle Harrell, during one of the budget conference meetings.

ABC Florida East Coast’s $2 million apprenticeship expansion request for the ABC Institute’s Flagship Apprenticeship Training Academy in Hialeah was included in the proposed Florida state budget during the recent Tallahassee Budget Special Session. The funding, if approved, would support new classroom equipment, software, tools, and trade-specific labs as ABCI expands apprenticeship education capacity in Miami-Dade County and creates opportunities for up to 1,200 additional apprentices. The effort remains pending final legislative approval before heading to Governor Ron DeSantis for consideration.

 The appropriation effort was led by ABC FEC Director of Government and Political Affairs T.J. Long, and consultant Caroline Frasier of Capital City Consulting, who worked alongside legislative sponsors, consultants, and state leadership throughout the 2026 legislative session.

Expanding Florida’s Construction Workforce Pipeline

As demand for skilled construction labor continues rising across South Florida and the state, apprenticeship education has become one of the most important workforce development priorities for the industry.

The Hialeah expansion project is designed to strengthen the pipeline of trained electricians, HVAC technicians, plumbers and other skilled trades professionals entering Florida’s workforce. The initiative also supports broader economic development efforts by helping contractors meet labor demands tied to infrastructure, commercial development, manufacturing and population growth throughout the region.

Industry leaders have consistently warned that labor shortages remain one of the biggest challenges facing construction companies nationwide. ABCI’s expansion is intended to provide long-term workforce solutions through hands-on apprenticeship education, safety training and career development opportunities.

Representative Lawrene McClure- Chair, House Budget Committee

Legislative Leaders Behind the Appropriation

Several key Florida lawmakers played important roles in advancing the funding request through the legislative process:

• David Borrero — House sponsor of the appropriation request
• Ed Hooper — Senate sponsor and Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee
• Demi Busatta — Chair of the House Higher Education Budget Subcommittee and Chair of the Higher Education Budget Conference Committee
• Lawrence McClure — Chair of the House Budget Committee

Despite a difficult and highly contentious legislative session involving multiple rounds of House and Senate budget negotiations, the appropriation ultimately received full funding support.

Representative Demi Busatta- Chair, House Higher Education Budget Subcommittee, and Chair, Higher Education Budget Subcommittee

T.J. Long Led the Advocacy Effort

The appropriation initiative was authored and led by T.J. Long, who spent the legislative session meeting directly with House and Senate leadership, higher education officials, budget conferees and legislative staff to advocate for the project.

Long worked to educate lawmakers on the importance of apprenticeship education, workforce development and the economic impact of expanding skilled trades training opportunities in South Florida.

During the final stages of budget negotiations in Tallahassee, Long continued advocating for the project alongside Caroline Frasier, who helped coordinate meetings with legislative leadership and key budget decision-makers to maintain momentum behind the initiative.

A Significant Investment in Workforce Development

The Hialeah expansion represents one of the most significant recent investments in apprenticeship education and construction workforce development in South Florida.

For ABC Florida East Coast and ABCI, the project reflects a broader mission of addressing Florida’s skilled labor shortage through practical education, industry partnerships and career pathways that connect students directly to high-demand construction careers.