September 5, 2025 - SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office has partnered 
with the California Government Operations Agency (GovOps) to launch a new initiative aimed at creating clear, seamless pathways to meaningful careers in state government for students and alumni.
The strategic collaboration, officially announced on Wednesday, is designed to expand talent pipelines to address current needs while helping to build the state government workforce of the future. With more than 2.1 million students enrolled each year, California’s community colleges serve as a powerful stream of skilled, diverse, and motivated individuals ready to serve in public sector roles, across the state.
“By linking the State of California, the state’s largest employer, with the California Community Colleges, the nation’s largest workforce training system—we’re creating a direct bridge to good-paying careers that offer both stability and growth. That’s what opportunity looks like,” said California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian. “Opening doors and making sure every Californian has access to real pathways to success is the promise of Vision 2030.”
Vision 2030, the California Community Colleges strategic plan, is built on access and calls on colleges to meet learners where they are through partnerships like this one with the State of California, as well as with community-based organizations, labor, and industry.
This current joint effort is focused on achieving the following goals:
- Meet state government workforce needs in job types supported by community college programs.
- Build clear connections between skills learned through community college programs and the skills in demand by state government employers.
- Promote state careers as a mechanism to achieve financial independence and economic mobility for community college students.
To meet these goals the Chancellor’s Office and GovOps will work together on several targeted activities that include amplifying apprenticeship opportunities, expanding internships, aligning college programs with careers in high demand by state government, and adding resources to community college career centers.
“California’s community colleges are at the forefront of workforce innovation, and their students bring the skills and dedication we need in public service. This partnership reflects our commitment to building a government workforce that is effective and representative of the communities we serve,” said California Government Operations Secretary Nick Maduros.
The three-year initiative was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 116 colleges serving 2.1 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).
About the California Government Operations Agency
The California Government Operations Agency is responsible for ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of California’s state government workforce. Its departments support human resources, procurement, technology, and data management functions critical to delivering services across the state.
Source: California Community Colleges
