(1) The Department of Commerce, in cooperation with the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council, shall establish a Seaport Employment Training Grant Program within the Department of Commerce. The Department of Commerce shall grant funds appropriated by the Legislature to the program for the purpose of stimulating and supporting seaport training and employment programs which will seek to match state and local training programs with identified job skills associated with employment opportunities in the port, maritime, and transportation industries, and for the purpose of providing such other training, educational, and information services as required to stimulate jobs in the described industries. Funds may be used for the purchase of equipment to be used for training purposes, hiring instructors, and any other purpose associated with the training program. The contribution of the Department of Commerce to any specific training program may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the program. Matching contributions may include services in kind, including, but not limited to, training instructors, equipment usage, and training facilities.
(2) The Department of Commerce shall adopt criteria to implement this section.
