California announces $30 million in apprenticeship funding to fill high-demand jobs in healthcare, education, and technology

NEWS RELEASE

Oakland - The Department of Industrial Relations and its Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) announced $30 million in awards benefiting 70 apprenticeship programs in sectors that have not traditionally had apprenticeships, including healthcare, education, and advanced manufacturing. This is the third round of Apprenticeship Innovation Funding (AIF), a key investment in growing and sustaining apprenticeship programs in California. It particularly benefits programs that have already begun and need resources to grow.

What Secretary of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency Stewart Knox said: "Apprenticeships offer real, hands-on experience and a pathway to economic mobility without the burden of debt. Through investments like Apprenticeship Innovation Funding, we're expanding opportunity, strengthening our workforce and supporting the industries that keep our state moving."

What DAS Chief Adele Burnes said: "By funding apprenticeships, we're opening doors for thousands of Californians to pursue debt-free pathways toward long-term professional careers. This round of AIF is supporting more than 11,000 apprentices who are earning an average of $50.29 per hour. These programs provide real economic mobility, and we are seeing apprentices enter stable careers that provide family-sustaining wages."

AIF awardees:

During the first and second rounds of AIF, a total of $42.1 million was allocated to apprenticeship programs.

During this third round, awardees are utilizing AIF to scale up their apprenticeship programs and address urgent workforce needs.

Awardee highlights:

• Early Care & Education Pathways to Success (ECEPTS) received$1.4 million to expand its apprenticeship program for early care providers and teachers' aides. Apprentices gain professional development experience at early childcare centers such as Head Start and work directly with children. Along with hands-on training, apprentices participate in classroom instruction, studying industry-focused curriculum for teaching and childcare credentials. The program primarily serves low-income women who face economic barriers, setting them on a path to meaningful, stable careers.
  • Apprentice growth: 158 in round one, 327 in round two, and 658 in round three.
• Launch received $1.4 million to support apprenticeship programs that focus on healthcare, information technology, and advanced manufacturing. Apprentices gain paid on-the-job training at employer sites and earn college credit through coursework at schools and community colleges. Medical Assistant and Registered Nurse apprenticeships are examples of newer occupations supported by Launch. Launch is an intermediary that connects employers and educators to design, manage, and scale up apprenticeship programs.
  • Apprentice growth: 360 in round one, 386 in round two, and 534 in round three.
• Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority JATC received $951,625 to expand its public transit apprenticeship program. Apprentices gain on-the-job training with simulator exercises in the field. During classroom instruction, apprentices work toward earning industry-recognized certifications. The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority faced recruitment challenges and implemented the program to recruit and retain workers.
  • Apprentice growth: 80 in round one, 258 in round two, and 321 in round three.
• SLO Partners Apprenticeships received $237,750 to expand numerous apprenticeship programs, including one in software development. Apprentices learn about computer applications and systems while attending a training bootcamp. They also receive one year of paid on-the-job training. The program is in partnership with Fullstack Academy and Cal Poly Extended Education Coding Bootcamp.
  • Apprentice growth: 52 in round one, 56 in round two, and 88 in round three.

Meeting workforce demands with apprenticeships

California has the largest apprenticeship system in the nation and is addressing workforce needs by building a pipeline of skilled workers through on-the-job training programs. Apprenticeships offer numerous benefits, including addressing labor shortages, improving workforce retention, and enabling employers to design training tailored to their industry needs.

Apprenticeships are central to the Jobs First Initiative , the state's strategy to strengthen industries by leveraging the unique strengths of each region. Apprenticeship programs also align with California's priority investments in high-tech, aerospace, healthcare, and education.

Governor Gavin Newsom has set a goal of serving 500,000 apprentices by 2029. Through strategic investments like AIF, DAS has already served 227,492 apprentices toward that target.

Why AIF funding matters

Since AIF's launch in 2021, nontraditional registered apprenticeships in California have grown by 76 percent. The fastest-growing sectors include education, advanced manufacturing, and transportation.

AIF has become a model for other states. For example, Maryland recently passed the Registered Apprenticeship Investments for a Stronger Economy (RAISE) Act of 2025, modeled in part after California's program.

AIF aligns with California's Five-Point Action Plan, which guides DAS in expanding innovative apprenticeship programs and partnering with intermediaries such as unions, workforce development boards, educational institutions, and nonprofits.

How AIF funding works:

AIF is formula-based funding that reimburses apprenticeship programs based on the number of apprentices served in the prior calendar year. The funding supports two core areas:

• Training Funding: Develops new training programs to benefit apprentices.
• Support Funding: Covers costs of running an apprenticeship program, including employer coordination, recruitment, support, and apprentice placement.

About the Division of Apprenticeship Standards

The Department of Industrial Relations' Division of Apprenticeship Standards consults with employers to develop a skilled workforce by establishing innovative apprenticeship programs that offer training to create viable career pathways for Californians.

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