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FL · State Grant

Florida State Training Grants for Employers

Florida's main state training grant for new jobs is Quick Response Training (QRT), run by CareerSource Florida. It reimburses training costs for new full-time hires at new or expanding businesses in targeted industries, from a $7.5 million pool for fiscal 2026-27. Local boards also offer paid work experience at no wage cost to you: CareerSource Broward's Paid Internship program pays up to $16 an hour, and its 2026 summer youth program paid 100% of youth wages but has closed for this year.

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HOW IT WORKS

Four steps, in this order.

  1. 1

    Apply in the CareerSource Florida portal

  2. 2

    Sign the contract before hiring or training

  3. 3

    Train new hires and submit trainee data

  4. 4

    Claim reimbursement within 60 days

3 VERIFIED PROGRAMS

Where the Florida money comes from.

Run by CareerSource Florida (Quick Response Training is created by section 288.047, Florida Statutes) and local CareerSource boards. Every figure is from an official page, linked on each card.

Quick Response Training (QRT)

Training costs for new hires, from a $7.5M pool
OPEN, FIRST COME
WHAT YOU GET

Reimbursement of training costs for each approved new hire who completes training. Trainee wages are not reimbursed.

HOW MUCH

FY 2026-27 pool: $7.5 million. No per-company cap published; CareerSource Florida sets the amount per trainee. No match required, but matching funds earn priority.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

Your company, unless the contract names a fiscal agent (required above $750,000).

WHO QUALIFIES
  • New, permanent, full-time jobs (37.5 hours a week or more) for Florida residents
  • A targeted industry; retail is excluded by law
  • Customized skills training of 24 months or less that is not available locally
  • No outstanding balances or liens owed to the state
Before you start: Yes. Hiring or training before the contract is signed is not reimbursed.
HOW TO APPLY
  1. 1Apply in the CareerSource Florida online portal at least 45 business days before training
  2. 2Upload letters from your economic development organization and local workforce board, a tax clearance letter, Form 941 and W-9
  3. 3Sign the contract, train, then submit trainee data and reimbursement requests

Deadlines and windows: FY 2026-27 runs July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027; first come until funds run out. Final requests within 60 days after the contract ends.

SOURCE: CAREERSOURCEFLORIDA.COM

WIOA Paid Work Experience (CareerSource Broward Paid Internship, formerly WEX)

Board-paid wages, up to 480 hours
THROUGH YOUR LOCAL BOARD
WHAT YOU GET

A matched worker for up to 480 hours at no wage cost, with the board covering workers' compensation insurance.

HOW MUCH

Up to $16 an hour, up to 28 hours a week, paid by CareerSource Broward.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The trainee gets wages; the board pays them. The employer is a host worksite and receives free labor, not a check.

WHO QUALIFIES
  • Participants are unemployed job seekers chosen by the board
  • Host worksite matched on the candidate's career interest and your needs
  • Broward employers; other boards run their own versions
Before you start: Yes. The board matches and approves the placement.
HOW TO APPLY
  1. 1Contact CareerSource Broward business services
  2. 2Download the Paid Internship Employer Guide
  3. 3Accept the matched candidate as a host worksite

Deadlines and windows: Ongoing, up to 480 hours per placement.

SOURCE: CAREERSOURCEBROWARD.COM

WIOA Youth Summer Employment (CareerSource Broward SYEP)

100% of youth wages paid, summer only
CLOSED FOR 2026
WHAT YOU GET

A 16 to 18 year old intern for an 8-week summer placement, with wages and insurance paid by the board.

HOW MUCH

CareerSource Broward pays 100% of the youth's wages and insurance. Youth wages were $14 an hour in 2026.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The youth receives wages from the board. The employer is a host worksite and pays no wages.

WHO QUALIFIES
  • Business operates in Broward County
  • In business 2 or more years
  • Certificate of liability insurance naming CareerSource Broward as additional insured
  • No remote work
Before you start: Yes. Complete the employer interest form.
HOW TO APPLY
  1. 1Watch for the next summer recruitment
  2. 2Submit the Summer Youth Employer Interest form
  3. 3Provide the insurance certificate

Deadlines and windows: The 2026 program ran June to August 4, 2026 and its application period is closed. Expect a new recruitment for summer 2027.

SOURCE: CAREERSOURCEBROWARD.COM
LOCAL BOARDS

Same program, different rules by board.

CareerSource Broward

Runs a Paid Internship program for unemployed job seekers where the board pays wages and workers' comp for up to 480 hours.

SOURCE: CAREERSOURCEBROWARD.COM
CareerSource Broward

Funds its summer youth program primarily through the Children's Services Council of Broward County, not WIOA alone.

SOURCE: CAREERSOURCEBROWARD.COM
AVOID THESE

What gets Florida State Grant claims denied.

STRAIGHT ANSWERS

Florida State Grant questions.

Who gets the money?

For QRT, your company gets reimbursement after training. For work experience and summer youth, the board pays the worker directly and you host.

SOURCE: CAREERSOURCEFLORIDA.COM
Does QRT pay trainee wages?

No. It reimburses training costs only. Trainee wages are not an allowable expense.

SOURCE: CAREERSOURCEFLORIDA.COM
Is summer youth employment still open?

Not in Broward for 2026. The application period is closed and the program ran to August 4, 2026.

SOURCE: CAREERSOURCEBROWARD.COM
How long does QRT take?

Apply at least 45 business days before training and wait for the signed contract. Funds are first come until the pool runs out.

SOURCE: CAREERSOURCEFLORIDA.COM

How we checked. Every fact on this page comes from a state agency, a local workforce board or federal regulation, read on . Where a board publishes nothing, we say so instead of guessing. Programs and funding change often; confirm with the program before you commit. Written by Jason Meehl, founder of Reimbursa. Found an error? Email hello@reimbursa.com.

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