Florida is home to hundreds of registered apprenticeship programs, including 50 in Central Florida alone.

For a lot of high school students, the next step involves college or the military, but for people looking for another path, a registered apprenticeship offers a cost-free way to earn money while learning a skilled trade.

Whether it’s people retiring earlier than expected or changing careers, it’s left a plethora of jobs available for employers to fill.

Career and technical education used to be thought of in a very narrow way: an alternative to high schoolers who weren’t going to college.

Whether the last year has made you realize you’re ready to make a change in your career or simply further your education, it’s always commendable to invest in yourself.

The advertiser paid a fee to promote this sponsored article and may have influenced or authored the content. The views expressed in this article are those of the advertiser and do not necessarily reflect those of this site or affiliated companies. Think about a field like advanced manufacturing: Sounds interesting, right? These positions range from paper manufacturing to jobs with Pepsi, FedEx, USPS and Frito-Lay. And entry-level positions typically offer strong starting salaries, said Stephen Bowman, an instructor at Orange Technical College.

The advertiser paid a fee to promote this sponsored article and may have influenced or authored the content. The views expressed in this article are those of the advertiser and do not necessarily reflect those of this site or affiliated companies. Melanie Stefanowicz, the associate superintendent at Orange Technical College, answered some questions about what a technical college might have to offer. You can get in, get out and wrap up a program rather quickly, and jump-start your next career move, she said. Watch the video, above, to learn more.