September 16, 2024 - SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Last week, California Community Colleges released a new report, “The State of Apprenticeships in California: Growth and Learnings from the Golden State.” The report provides an analysis of how the California Community Colleges, the largest system of public higher education in the nation, is expanding apprenticeship programs through its 116 colleges.

Back in 2018, Gov. Gavin Newsom set an ambitious goal to expand the apprenticeship system and serve 500,000 apprentices by 2029. This report will show that the state is making significant progress toward that goal, but the California Community Colleges know that more can be done.

“There are millions of low-income Californians lacking postsecondary credentials which could keep them from finding livable wages. By expanding registered apprenticeship pathways, as we’re doing with the California Apprenticeship Initiative, the California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship Grant and the Apprenticeship Pathway Demonstration Project, we can remove barriers and facilitate access to jobs in high-growth, high-demand industries,” said California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Apprenticeship USA Data and Statistics, California leads the United States in the number of apprentices and apprenticeship programs, with more than double the number of apprentices of the country’s second state with apprentices, Texas.

The new report, researched and analyzed by Jobs for the Future (JFF), a national nonprofit working to drive transformation of the U.S. education and workforce systems, notes the number of apprentices registered with the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards grew 11%, with 93,798 apprentices registered in 2023 versus 84,217 in 2018. And the most significant increases in apprenticeships over the last five years were in manufacturing (473%), health care (400%), barbers and cosmetologists (95%) and IT (45%).

“JFF is focused on expanding opportunity and access for learners and workers, and California’s growth in new apprenticeship opportunities is moving the state in a great direction,” added Maria Flynn, president & CEO of Jobs for the Future. “The California Community Colleges provide scalable apprenticeship models that align key stakeholders, connect on-the-job training with contextual classroom learning and lead to more workers with in-demand skills and a stronger state economy.”

The report additionally provides a roadmap for how California can continue to scale the number of apprentices and address barriers to launching and sustaining apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. Recommendations include funding mechanisms and strengthening industry and employer partnerships. Each recommendation includes examples from innovative programs being offered across the state.

“We know apprenticeship programs work because they have a long history and proven track record for developing a skilled workforce. And our colleges are keenly aware that achieving the State’s goal of 500,000 apprentices will require an expansion of apprenticeship programs through the 116-college, 2 million student strong system,” concluded Anthony Cordova, vice chancellor for Workforce and Economic Development, California Community Colleges.

The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 116 colleges serving 2 million students per year. California community colleges provide career education and workforce training; guaranteed transfer to four-year universities; and degree and certificate pathways. As the state’s engine for social and economic mobility, the California Community Colleges supports the Vision 2030, a strategic plan designed to improve student success, our communities and our planet. For more information, please visit the California Community Colleges website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X (Formerly Twitter).
Source: California Community Colleges