California Funds 55K Apprentices

California Invests $18.6M to Train 55,000 Apprentices in Construction Trades

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California is investing more than $18 million to expand apprenticeship opportunities in the building and construction trades, aiming to strengthen its workforce pipeline and support long-term infrastructure development.

The California Department of Industrial Relations and its Division of Apprenticeship Standards announced $18.6 million in grants to support 160 state-registered apprenticeship programs. The funding is expected to benefit more than 55,000 apprentices across a wide range of skilled trades.

The investment is funded through the California Apprenticeship Council Training Fund and reflects the state’s continued emphasis on workforce development through earn-and-learn career pathways.

Expanding Access to High-Demand Construction Careers

State officials said the funding will help expand access to careers in trades such as electricians, plumbers, ironworkers, roofers, painters, HVAC technicians and sheet metal workers, among others. These roles are critical to meeting California’s growing infrastructure and construction demands.

“This investment builds on the state’s long-term commitment to grow apprenticeships, providing earn-and-learn opportunities that lead to good-paying, long-term careers without debt, while strengthening the skilled workforce needed to build and maintain California’s critical infrastructure,” said Adele Burnes, chief of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards.

Apprenticeships in the construction trades offer a pathway to stable employment, with median wages exceeding $70,000 annually. The programs combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction, allowing participants to gain practical experience while earning income.

Participants say the training has a direct impact on job performance and career growth.

“Thanks to my apprenticeship through Nor Cal Carpenters and their state-of-the-art training, the skills I’ve learned have made a noticeable difference in my daily work,” said Miguelangel Valdez, a carpentry apprentice.

Funding Supports Training Capacity and Industry Needs

The grants will be used to reimburse apprenticeship programs for hands-on training costs, including equipment purchases, curriculum development, instructor training and recruitment efforts.

Officials noted that the CAC Training Fund has grown nearly sevenfold in recent years, enabling programs to scale up training capacity and adapt to evolving industry requirements. This includes integrating new technologies and addressing labor shortages across the construction sector.

The Division of Apprenticeship Standards works closely with employers to establish and maintain apprenticeship programs that align with workforce needs. Since Gavin Newsom took office, California has registered more than 245,000 apprentices, highlighting the state’s commitment to workforce expansion.

The California Apprenticeship Council, established under the Shelley-Maloney Apprentice Labor Standards Act of 1939, oversees apprenticeship programs statewide, including setting regulations and administering training funds.

Today’s funding announcement was also shared by the governor’s office, underscoring the administration’s focus on workforce development as a key component of economic growth and infrastructure investment.

As demand for skilled labor continues to rise, state leaders say apprenticeship programs will play a central role in preparing the next generation of construction workers while supporting California’s ambitious building agenda.

Originally reported by Governor Newsom's Office.