Golden State Today

Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California is allocating $24.7 million to support 65 apprenticeship programs across several vital industries, including healthcare, transportation, education, advanced manufacturing, information technology, and the public sector. This funding aims to assist 8,270 apprentices who will earn an average wage of nearly $32 per hour.

This initiative marks the second round of the Apprenticeship Innovation Funding (AIF) program. The AIF program is designed to promote economic growth by creating pathways for individuals to earn while they learn in order to meet current workforce demands.

Governor Newsom emphasized a grassroots strategy in providing Californians with skills necessary for well-paying jobs statewide. "We’re taking a bottom-up approach to making sure Californians get the skills they need to get good-paying jobs in every region of the state. These apprenticeships represent thousands of opportunities for Californians to jump into new careers and bring in higher wages for their families," he stated.

California has set an ambitious target of serving 500,000 apprentices by 2029. To date, 190,915 apprentices have been served as part of this ongoing effort. Governor Newsom also introduced the California Jobs First Economic Blueprint which will guide future investments aimed at fostering sustainable economic growth and innovation while ensuring access to quality jobs over the next decade. This blueprint is scheduled for release early next year alongside a $120 million investment in job-creating projects across the state within three years.

DIR Director Katie Hagen commented on this development: “This investment reflects California’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that our labor sectors have access to a steady pipeline of skilled talent, while also opening doors for many Californians to train for high-demand careers and earn a paycheck.”