SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California is making another major investment in its skilled workforce. Governor Gavin Newsom announced the approval of $25 million in new grants for 88 apprenticeship programs through the Employment Training Panel (ETP). The funding will help train 22,208 workers across the state, primarily in the construction and skilled trades sectors.
The new funding marks another milestone in the state’s ongoing effort to strengthen workforce pipelines and create high-paying, long-term career pathways—particularly for women, veterans, justice-involved individuals, and those transitioning from unemployment or low-wage jobs.
This announcement follows the Governor’s recent $30 million investment in apprenticeship programs aimed at filling workforce gaps in health care, education, and technology, signaling California’s continued push toward hands-on, equitable training opportunities for all.
Administered through the Employment Training Panel, the grants will fund job training programs that prepare workers for stable, high-wage careers. The ETP operates through the Employment Training Tax paid by employers, ensuring that the initiative is self-funded and independent of the state’s General Fund.
Governor Newsom said the initiative reflects the administration’s broader vision for California’s economy. The state aims to support 500,000 apprentices by 2029, part of its California Jobs First Economic Blueprint, which emphasizes innovation, equity, and sustainable growth.
“Apprenticeships aren’t just a pathway to a job, they’re the foundation for a lasting career,” said Stewart Knox, Secretary of the Labor & Workforce Development Agency. “These grants will provide thousands of Californians with the tools they need to build skills, gain stability, and step into careers that support their families and communities and bolster California’s economy.”
Dr. Jessica Grimes, Executive Director of ETP, added: “ETP is proud to invest in high-wage, high-road job training programs that are directly aligned with industry needs.”
The construction sector remains one of California’s most significant economic engines, generating more than $156 billion annually and employing close to one million workers. According to the Labor Market Information Division, construction occupations represent 12 of the 15 top-paying jobs accessible with a high school diploma or less, making apprenticeships a critical entry point into stable, middle-class careers.
Apprenticeships in construction are also vital to addressing the state’s growing demand for skilled labor. These programs, often designed in partnership between labor unions and employers, ensure that new workers are trained to meet both present and future infrastructure needs.
Under the Newsom administration, 99,023 apprentices have already benefitted from ETP-supported programs. Many of these individuals shared how apprenticeships have helped them overcome personal and professional barriers.
“I completed my [apprenticeship] training on Friday and had a job by Monday,” said Sandra Molina, an apprentice graduate from the Laborers Training School of Southern California. “Being a part of the cleanup of Altadena has helped me rebuild my life, and in a sense, I have helped to rebuild homeowners’ lives…it feels good.”
Andrea Clemens, from Laborers Local 185, reflected on her experience, saying, “It [the apprenticeship program] made me humble and gave me something to grab in life. The feeling of gratitude that I get from the program keeps me going. It’s not what you’ve done, it’s who you are.”
Juanita Douglas, Executive Director of Tradeswomen, Inc., emphasized the importance of outreach and awareness in encouraging women to join the trades. “The biggest issue in getting women into the trades is that they don’t know they can do this work,” she said.
Since its pilot launch in 2012, ETP’s apprenticeship funding portfolio has expanded from $6 million to $25 million, now representing a quarter of the agency’s annual core budget. This sustained growth demonstrates the long-term commitment California has made to building a strong, inclusive workforce capable of meeting 21st-century demands.
The apprenticeships are a cornerstone of California’s Master Plan for Career Education, which integrates practical, on-the-job training with long-term economic mobility. The approach aims to close skills gaps, strengthen local economies, and provide workers with the opportunity to earn while they learn.
As California continues to invest in this model, the state is positioning itself as a national leader in apprenticeship-driven workforce development, where education, equity, and economic competitiveness go hand in hand.
Originally reported by Governor California Government.
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