Updated November 2026

Florida’s minimum wage reached $15.00 per hour on September 30, 2026. For students beginning paid work experiences, families preparing for a first paycheck, and employers hosting young workers, this change is a useful opportunity to review both pay requirements and the skills that make a work experience meaningful.

Confirmed facts

The Florida Department of Commerce states that the state minimum wage is $15.00 per hour effective September 30, 2026, and that this rate remains in effect through December 31, 2027. Employers should use the current state minimum-wage notice and review the rules that apply to their workers. View Florida’s official minimum-wage information.

Florida Vocational Rehabilitation describes Work-Based Learning Experiences, or WBLEs, as community-based experiences that use real workplaces and real work to help students with disabilities connect what they learn in school to career opportunities. Learn about Florida VR transition services.

Mentoring Me Inc.’s interpretation

A higher wage makes it even more important for a paid experience to be planned well. A student should leave with more than hours on a timesheet. The experience should help the student practice communication, dependability, workplace safety, problem solving, teamwork, and other skills that can be explained in a future interview.

For employers, clear duties and consistent supervision support both the student and the business. For families, a first paycheck can open practical conversations about budgeting, saving, taxes, transportation, and the difference between gross pay and take-home pay.

One practical next step

Before a paid work experience begins, write down three items: the student’s expected duties, the skills the student will practice, and the person who will provide supervision and feedback. If the experience is subject to Florida’s minimum-wage requirements, confirm that the pay rate and payroll records reflect the current rate.

Students and families interested in career exploration, workplace readiness, self-advocacy, postsecondary counseling, WBLE, or adult employment services may complete Mentoring Me Inc.’s Request Services form. Submitting the form is a request for information and does not guarantee eligibility, enrollment, services, or authorization from Florida Vocational Rehabilitation.

Updated November 2026

Planning for life after high school can feel overwhelming, especially when a student is still discovering interests, strengths, and possible career paths. Florida Vocational Rehabilitation’s Pre-Employment Transition Services, commonly called Pre-ETS, are designed to give students with disabilities an early start.

Confirmed facts

Florida Vocational Rehabilitation states that Pre-ETS are available to students with disabilities ages 14–21 who are enrolled in school. Students who are eligible or potentially eligible for VR may receive these early career-preparation services. Florida also explains that students may participate in Pre-ETS without first applying for VR or being determined eligible for individualized VR services. Documentation requirements and the service process still apply. Read Florida VR’s student and youth overview.

The five required Pre-ETS areas are:

• Job exploration counseling: learning about occupations and connecting interests to possible careers.
• Work-based learning experiences: practicing skills in real workplaces and connecting school learning to work.
• Postsecondary education counseling: exploring college, technical education, training, and other education pathways.
• Workplace readiness training: developing communication, problem solving, interviewing, teamwork, and other employability skills.
• Self-advocacy instruction: learning to communicate strengths, needs, interests, and goals and to make informed choices.

View Florida VR’s student and youth frequently asked questions.

Mentoring Me Inc.’s interpretation

Students do not need to have an entire career mapped out before they begin. The value of Pre-ETS is that it provides structured opportunities to explore. A student may discover that an occupation is a strong fit, learn that a different environment is needed, or recognize a skill that should be strengthened before graduation.

Families can help by listening for patterns: What activities keep the student engaged? What environments help the student do well? Which duties create confidence, and which supports make success more likely? Those observations can make career planning more personal and useful.

One practical next step

Ask the student to choose one career area to explore this month. Then identify one related action: talk with a professional, tour a workplace or training program, practice a workplace skill, or participate in a work-based learning activity.

Students, parents, guardians, educators, and referral partners may use Mentoring Me Inc.’s Request Services form to share the student’s goals and ask about possible next steps. Submitting the form does not guarantee VR eligibility, authorization, enrollment, or services.

Updated November 2026

A student’s first workplace can become a classroom for confidence, communication, and career direction. Work-Based Learning Experiences, often called WBLEs, give students an opportunity to practice real duties with support while employers help strengthen the future workforce.

Confirmed facts

Florida Vocational Rehabilitation defines a WBLE as a community-based experience that uses the workplace or real work to help students with disabilities connect school experiences to real-life work activities and career opportunities. WBLE is one of the five Pre-Employment Transition Services available to students with disabilities. Read Florida VR’s description of WBLE and transition services.

Florida VR also explains that Pre-ETS serve students with disabilities ages 14–21 who are enrolled in school. Individual participation depends on applicable documentation, referrals, authorizations, program requirements, and available opportunities. Review the official student and youth FAQ.

Mentoring Me Inc.’s interpretation

A successful WBLE is built around learning, not simply completing tasks. The strongest experiences give a student clear duties, a dependable supervisor, feedback, and time to reflect on what was learned.

Students can practice arriving on time, asking questions, following directions, working with others, solving routine problems, and responding to feedback. Employers can introduce young people to their industry, observe emerging talent, and create a more inclusive local workforce. Families can reinforce the same habits at home by helping students plan transportation, prepare appropriate clothing, and discuss each workday.

What makes a strong host site?

• A safe and welcoming environment
• Meaningful duties connected to workplace needs
• A supervisor who can explain tasks and provide feedback
• Reasonable opportunities for the student to practice and improve
• Communication with the service provider when questions arise

One practical next step

Employers can identify one entry-level role or project that a student could learn with supervision. Write down three to five realistic duties and the workplace skills those duties would help develop. Students and families can write down the student’s interests, preferred work environment, transportation plan, and two skills the student wants to practice.

To ask about student services or possible next steps, complete Mentoring Me Inc.’s Request Services form. Employers interested in hosting students or discussing workforce partnerships may visit the Employers page. Participation, eligibility, placement, and authorization are determined through the appropriate process and are not guaranteed by submitting an inquiry.