Policy Brief: Training for Health Care Jobs in California

Health care is one of the largest and fastest growing sectors in California's economy due to a growing older adult population and health coverage expansions. Health careers can provide economic gains and security for workers without a four-year college degree-and meet essential needs for state residents. For both reasons, state leaders support developing training pathways for and broadening access to many health care jobs.

As the main publicly funded provider of job training, California's community college system plays a central role given their wide range of program options, low tuition costs, and locations throughout the state. The largest community college health programs train people for jobs in nursing, dental care, behavioral health, and allied and technical fields. These represent the bulk of health care jobs (80%) that require some training beyond high school but less than a four-year degree. Workforce training organizations and private colleges also provide health training programs.