Okaloosa County used to lead the state in educating high school students to earn industry-standard certifications. This allowed them to earn high-wage, high-skilled positions.
The county has dropped from first to ninth in the state for career technical education, outgoing state Senate President Don Gaetz said.
The Emerald Coast Association of Realtors and the Building Industry Association of Okaloosa and Walton Counties hosted their Florida Legislative Wrap-Up meeting Wednesday morning.
Gaetz, along with state Reps. Mike Hill, Clay Ingram, Doug Broxson and Matt Gaetz, attended the meeting to address about 65 people to discuss their work this past session and their plans going forward.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gaetz: Okaloosa no longer industry training leader