Top 10 Tech Apprenticeships, Internships and Entry-Level Jobs in Fort Lauderdale, FL in 2026

For career-changers and self-taught coders in Fort Lauderdale without a traditional four-year degree, the Microsoft LEAP Apprenticeship stands as a gold-standard pathway. This 16-week, paid immersive program is designed to forge new talent pipelines by placing apprentices directly with Microsoft engineering teams to work on real products like Azure or Xbox in tracks like Software Engineering or Product Management.

The application process is highly competitive, with the next window for 2026 cohorts expected to open in August 2025. As highlighted in a Microsoft Leap case study, the program excels at building "non-traditional talent pipelines," making it a premier destination for those who have built skills through bootcamps or intensive self-study. This focus on practical experience over pedigree is a perfect match for South Florida’s diverse talent pool.

Landing a spot provides more than a salary during training; it offers a career-launching credential and an elite network. For aspiring AI and machine learning professionals in our region, this apprenticeship represents a direct route to world-class mentorship and a formidable resume line that commands attention from local employers and beyond, proving that top-tier tech careers are accessible from right here in Broward County.

As a Fortune 200 leader headquartered in Juno Beach with a massive South Florida footprint, NextEra Energy offers one of the region's most lucrative and substantive tech internships. Targeted at university students from schools like FAU, NSU, and UM, interns work on predictive modeling, software development, and critical grid cybersecurity projects that directly impact the nation's energy infrastructure. Compensation is notably high, ranging from $35 to $50 per hour, which can translate to a summer salary upwards of $20,000 before Florida's no state income tax.

Recruiting for the Summer 2026 cohort begins aggressively in August/September 2025. The program is known for its robust mentorship, pairing interns with dedicated "buddies" and senior leaders, and serves as a prime pipeline into full-time associate roles. Prospective applicants can explore specific opportunities and the application process on the official NextEra Energy internships page.

This internship is a direct runway into a stable, high-growth tech career in AI and cybersecurity. For Fort Lauderdale-area students, it represents a chance to gain elite experience with a local titan without leaving the region, leveraging a world-class corporate network right in our backyard. A role like the IT Power Delivery Analyst intern exemplifies the hands-on, impactful work available.

For individuals in Fort Lauderdale seeking rapid, no-cost training with a direct line to local employers, Per Scholas offers a powerful solution. This national nonprofit has a strong local presence, providing intensive 12-15 week training courses in IT Support, Cybersecurity, or AWS Cloud Engineering completely free to learners, with many cohorts including stipends or employer-funded training.

The model is built for speed and placement, boasting an 80%+ job placement rate into South Florida roles with average starting salaries of $50,000 to $60,000. With rolling admissions, checking the Per Scholas training schedule for 2025-2026 windows is crucial for timely applications. This pathway exemplifies the growing "earn-as-you-learn" trend, preparing individuals for in-demand tech trades.

Ideal for career-changers who need to build foundational skills and start earning quickly, Per Scholas graduates are positioned perfectly for the corporate tech roles fueling Fort Lauderdale's economy. As noted in analyses of high-paying apprenticeship programs, such accessible pipelines are critical for developing local talent to meet the demands of companies modernizing their tech stacks across South Florida.

Based in its Fort Lauderdale headquarters, AutoNation, America's largest automotive retailer, runs a competitive summer internship program focused on transforming the car-buying experience through technology. Interns contribute directly to digital retail platforms, e-commerce systems, and data analytics projects that impact millions of customers, offering a corporate tech experience within a familiar consumer industry.

The program offers competitive compensation, typically $18 to $25 per hour, over a 10-12 week summer. This internship is a prime example of Fort Lauderdale's distinct corporate-tech vibe, providing a fantastic opportunity to understand how legacy industries are being rebuilt with modern tech stacks, separate from Miami's startup frenzy.

For students interested in the intersection of tech and large-scale retail, this role is an excellent launchpad. As the broader Fort Lauderdale tech internship market evolves, programs like AutoNation's are increasingly integrating AI-driven projects, similar to roles at other local employers like Stryker, which is recruiting for software engineering interns to work on AI-integrated medical technologies.

Year Up South Florida provides a transformative, year-long pathway for young adults aged 18-29 without a four-year degree who need structured support beyond technical training. The program combines six months of professional and technical skills training with a six-month paid internship at corporate partners like Bank of America or local Fort Lauderdale firms. During the training phase, participants receive an educational stipend of approximately $525 per week.

The program is distinguished by its holistic approach and outstanding outcomes, boasting that 90% of graduates are employed or enrolled in further education within four months of completion. This model directly feeds into Fort Lauderdale's corporate tech hub, preparing talent for accessible in-demand roles. Specific details and application information for the local cohort can be found on the Year Up IT Job Training Program listing.

For many in Broward County, Year Up serves as the essential bridge to a tech career, providing the network, credentials, and real-world experience needed to secure roles like Help Desk Tier 1 or Service Desk Specialist - positions that industry recruiters identify as among the best and most accessible entry points into IT.

This entry-level position is a cornerstone of NextEra Energy's mission to secure the nation's energy infrastructure, offering new graduates a direct, high-impact start in cybersecurity. Designed for candidates with 0-1 years of experience, the role focuses on Operational Technology (OT) security and large-scale data governance, protecting the physical systems that control the power grid.

The compensation reflects the specialized, critical nature of the work, with a significant range from $72,600 to $112,200. This salary level is a standout for an entry-level position in the Fort Lauderdale area, demonstrating the premium placed on cybersecurity talent within the essential energy sector. The role specifically targets new graduates from local pipelines like FAU and the University of Miami.

This position offers more than a job; it provides stability, a clear growth trajectory in a field of national importance, and the advantage of working for a local corporate leader. As the broader Fort Lauderdale entry-level tech market grows, such specialized roles are becoming more prevalent. Candidates can find similar opportunities by monitoring platforms like LinkedIn for entry-level IT jobs in the region.

For new graduates and career-changers in Fort Lauderdale interested in healthcare technology, Broward Health offers a stable, mission-driven entry point. As one of Florida's largest public healthcare systems, it frequently posts entry-level IT positions such as Systems Analysts or IT Support Specialists, roles that involve monitoring clinical tracking systems, supporting patient databases, and ensuring the technological backbone of healthcare delivery remains robust.

These positions provide solid compensation, typically ranging from $55,000 to $75,000, along with the excellent benefits and job security associated with public-sector-adjacent work. Applications are consistently posted on the Broward Health Careers site, making it a reliable resource for local job seekers. This pathway exemplifies the growing opportunities in health tech, a critical sector supported by major providers across the region like Memorial Healthcare System.

Gaining experience here builds a strong foundation for a tech career with purpose. As noted in analyses of the broader Fort Lauderdale entry-level IT job market, roles in established healthcare systems offer a valuable blend of stability and hands-on experience with high-stakes systems, serving as a springboard into specialized fields like health informatics or clinical systems engineering.

For Fort Lauderdale residents seeking a hyper-local, practical entry into tech, CareerSource Broward facilitates registered apprenticeships directly with area employers. These true "earn-as-you-learn" models place you with a company from day one in high-demand specialties like network support, cybersecurity, and cloud technologies. Pay begins at approximately $15 per hour with guaranteed increases as you gain skills and complete program milestones over 1-2 years.

These apprenticeships are built on strong local partnerships, often collaborating with institutions like Atlantic Technical College to provide the structured training component. This creates a direct pipeline into Broward County's employer network, connecting apprentices with everything from logistics firms at Port Everglades to local IT services companies. As highlighted by CareerSource Broward, these programs are designed to build trade-specific tech careers with immediate local relevance.

This pathway is ideal for hands-on learners who value stability and direct community ties. It embodies the growing professional consensus, noted in discussions on the future of work, that apprenticeships are now high-quality pathways for "digital-native generations," effectively preparing individuals to optimize infrastructure and deploy technology within the specific context of South Florida's corporate and industrial landscape.

Though headquartered in nearby Plantation, Chewy is a magnet for tech talent across South Florida, and its summer software engineering internship is a premier opportunity for computer science students. The program is highly competitive and project-based, offering interns the chance to work on systems that scale to serve millions of pet owners, providing direct experience in a fast-paced, product-driven tech environment.

While specific compensation for 2026 isn't published, tech internships at this level in the region command highly competitive rates, reflecting the intense demand for software engineering talent. Recruiting follows the top-tech timeline, with applications for Summer 2026 opening in early fall 2025. Success requires a strong portfolio of personal projects and solid data structures knowledge, with e-commerce or logistics-related projects being particularly resonant for Chewy's domain.

This internship is a direct feeder into one of South Florida's most prominent tech employers. It represents the kind of high-caliber opportunity that defines the broader Fort Lauderdale tech internship landscape, where companies like Stryker are also recruiting for roles in AI-driven software engineering. For ambitious students, it’s a chance to gain elite experience without leaving the tri-county area, building a career on the runway of local innovation.

Often overlooked, hands-on roles like IT/AV Technician provide a fantastic, practical start for learners passionate about hardware and interactive technology. Local firms such as Florida 888, LLC and audiovisual contractors serving the region's corporate offices and venues offer on-the-job training in setting up and maintaining complex digital systems, building a foundational understanding of network and hardware infrastructure.

These positions are among the most accessible entry points into tech. According to insights from Robert Half's guide to entry-level IT jobs, roles like Help Desk Tier 1 and Service Desk Specialist allow for rapid technical growth and are frequently listed by local employers on platforms like Indeed.

Starting in a hands-on support role is a strategic launchpad. The experience gained in troubleshooting, customer service, and system maintenance is invaluable and can later specialize into higher-demand fields like cybersecurity, cloud support, or network engineering, all while building a career within Fort Lauderdale's diverse corporate and tech-enabled service industries.

Choosing the right pathway is your first strategic decision; successfully navigating the application process is the next critical mission. For highly competitive apprenticeships like Microsoft LEAP, emphasize your self-directed learning and resilience in applications, and submit as soon as windows open - often 6-9 months in advance. For internships, your university's career center at NSU, FAU, or Broward College is your best ally for curated postings and interview prep; apply the summer before you want the role.

When targeting entry-level jobs, meticulously tailor your resume with keywords from the description and highlight projects relevant to local industries. Consider building a data visualization of South Florida energy usage, a mock healthcare app interface, or an e-commerce prototype to demonstrate applied skills. You can discover active opportunities by monitoring platforms like LinkedIn for Fort Lauderdale IT roles.

Finally, build your local network by attending tech meetups at hubs like The Gateway. Remember, your first tech job is a launchpad, not a final destination. In Fort Lauderdale's sunny, no-state-income-tax environment - with its unique blend of corporate stability and growing innovation from companies found across the South Florida tech landscape - your career is ready for takeoff. You just need to commit to the runway.