In 2022, the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR)
released Advancing Apprenticeship in California: A
Five-Point Action Plan, which detailed Governor Newsom’s
commitment to tackling growing income inequality in California.
The plan identified registered apprenticeship as one of the
Administration’s three key jobs strategies and noted that they
“provide the education and training necessary to prepare
Californians for the jobs of today and tomorrow.” Newsom set an
ambitious goal for the state: to expand California’s
apprenticeship system, already the largest in the United States,
to serve 500,000 apprentices by 2029. The plan specifically
identified public sector apprenticeships as a key opportunity for
achieving this goal.
Since that time, the Newsom Administration has unveiled a number
of innovative programs, initiatives and funding streams to expand
registered apprenticeships in the public sector.
About ILG’s Registered Apprenticeship Program
Traditional apprenticeships in areas like public safety and
construction have a long and proud history in the public sector.
But non-traditional registered apprenticeships in sectors like
human resources, accounting or informational technology are much
less common. ILG is creating a new pilot program for California
cities, counties and special districts to explore non-traditional
registered apprenticeships.
Working in partnership with the California Department of
Apprenticeship Standards, ILG will partner with interested
cities, counties and special districts to develop apprenticeship
programs and standards in select high need job classifications in
the public sector. Together, we’ll develop a scalable statewide
program that streamlines the administrative process for local
agencies and supports the unique needs of a public sector
workplace.
Funding
The 2022-2023 California State Budget invested over
$231 million in apprenticeship-related spending and more than
$480 million from 2022-2025. That funding included $175 million
to create apprenticeship innovation funding for non-traditional
programs. In addition, there are numerous federal and
philanthropic funding sources available to help advance this
work, particularly for programs that focus on expanding economic
mobility among underserved populations, diversifying the public
sector workforce and upskilling or re-skilling residents into
living wage and high road careers.
Partner with Us
Developing a robust statewide network for public sector
registered apprenticeships is a major initiative that will
require a broad coalition of stakeholders. We welcome additional
initiative partners in the public, private, nonprofit and
philanthropic sector to advance this important work. Current
partners include:
- The James Irvine Foundation
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation
- High Road Training Partnership
Learn More
To stay informed about ILG’s apprenticeship initiative and learn
more about how your organization can get involved, please
click here.
Important Apprenticeship Resources
