“The Florida House of Representatives sent a strong message in passing House Bill 435, the SkillBridge bill, and firmly planted Florida’s flag as the top state for transitioning servicemembers to live and work after their service. Veterans Florida thanks Representative Sirois and Senator Wright for their leadership on this vital workforce issue. We encourage the Florida Senate to continue to move the companion bill, SB 586, toward final passage.” – Joe Marino, Executive Director, Veterans Florida. 

HB 435 creates a statewide awareness and employment program built on the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program which allows servicemembers to gain workforce training at private businesses while on active duty as they are transitioning out of the military and designates Veterans Florida as the state’s principal SkillBridge assistance organization to employers and transitioning servicemembers.