FloridaMakes Announces 2025 Florida Manufacturer Apprentices of the Year
Top apprentices to be honored at the MakeMore Manufacturing Summit on October 22.
ORLANDO, FL - FloridaMakes is proud to announce the 2025 Florida Manufacturer Apprentices of the Year, recognizing 11 outstanding individuals for their commitment to excellence in manufacturing and workforce development.
The honorees will be recognized during a special ceremony at the MakeMore Manufacturing Summit on Wednesday, October 22 at 5:30 PM at the DoubleTree Downtown Orlando in Orlando, FL.
This year’s honorees are:
“These individuals exemplify what’s possible when manufacturers invest in talent development through apprenticeships,” said Marcelo Dossantos, Director of Workforce Development at FloridaMakes. “Their achievements are not only personal milestones, but a reflection of the strong employer partnerships that are shaping the future of Florida’s manufacturing workforce.”
Apprentices were evaluated based on their technical growth, on-the-job performance, and the positive impact they’ve made within their organizations. All recognized apprentices will receive letters of recognition from local officials, and an award from FloridaMakes acknowledging their achievements and contributions to Florida’s advanced manufacturing industry.
This year’s program is sponsored by Tooling U-SME, the workforce development division of SME and a leading provider of online manufacturing training solutions. Tooling U-SME partners with employers, educators, and workforce organizations nationwide to equip individuals with in-demand skills through flexible, high-quality learning resources. Their support underscores the importance of investing in both people and programs to strengthen the future of manufacturing.
The Florida Manufacturer Apprentice of the Year program highlights the success of the state’s growing apprenticeship initiatives, which include FloridaMakes programs in Industrial Manufacturing, Maintenance, Quality Control, and Production Technology—with a Tool & Die apprenticeship on the horizon. These registered apprenticeship pathways support manufacturers in building sustainable talent pipelines to meet growing industry demands.
FloridaMakes is a public-private partnership dedicated solely to strengthening and advancing Florida’s manufacturing economy. Our goal is to deliver objective, unbiased advice and technical assistance to help manufacturers grow and become more profitable. Our team of manufacturing experts serves as your trusted advisors, helping you navigate the public and private resources available to support your success. FloridaMakes is the official representative of the MEP National Network and NIST MEP in the state of Florida. For more information, please visit FloridaMakes.com.
MakeMore Manufacturing Summit
The MakeMore Manufacturing Summit is Florida’s premier annual convening of manufacturing leaders, workforce partners, and economic development stakeholders. The summit serves as a platform for statewide collaboration on talent development, technology innovation, supply chain strategies, and policy initiatives that drive the competitiveness of Florida’s manufacturing sector. The summit is hosted by FloridaMakes in partnership with key industry organizations and state agencies.
Zoraida Velasco
Executive Vice President
(407) 430-7714
zoraida.velasco@floridamakes.com