California offers new options for high-paying careers without college

Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a comprehensive framework on Monday aimed at creating high-paying career pathways for state residents with or without four-year college degrees. The framework includes removing degree requirements for nearly 30,000 state jobs.

The Master Plan for Career Education framework, supported by new budget investments, focuses on strengthening career pathways, prioritizing hands-on learning, and advancing educational access across California. The plan includes provisions for veterans to convert military service into college credits and introduces digital Career Passports to help workers showcase their skills to employers.

"Every Californian deserves the opportunity to build real-life skills and pursue a fulfilling career - including those that do not require college degrees," Newsom said during the announcement in Redding. "California is working to ensure that every person has what they need to get a well-paying, long-lasting job so we can build an economy for the future that supports all families. We are proud to stand with our local partners in the North State to advance the Master Plan for Career Education, working collaboratively with our Jobs First Economic Blueprint, and create pathways toward new jobs while strengthening California's regional economies to benefit local communities."

The framework's rollout includes a $100 million budget investment to implement key components, including the Career Passport system. This digital tool will combine traditional academic records with verified skills and credentials earned outside the classroom, such as military service, job training, and volunteer work.

Under the new framework, the state will expand its Credit for Prior Learning initiative, making it easier for Californians to convert real-world experience into college credits. The program is expected to benefit 250,000 Californians, including 30,000 veterans. According to state projections, veterans could receive an average of $26,115 in immediate savings and $161,115 in lifetime benefits through this program.

State officials said the economic impact could reach $3.7 billion in preserved educational funds and $28.8 billion in long-term economic benefits over 20 years.

The framework also establishes a new statewide planning and coordinating body to connect California's education systems, workforce training providers, and employers. This collaboration will evaluate economic changes, and workforce needs while coordinating efforts to maximize funding and programs.

At the regional level, the plan emphasizes partnerships with employers to identify critical skills and expand work-based learning opportunities like paid internships. It also aims to simplify funding processes to improve resource accessibility.

In a parallel initiative, the California Human Resources Department has removed college degree or educational requirements for nearly 30,000 state jobs. The administration plans to double that number next year, proposing an additional 32,000 positions currently under negotiation with employee unions. This proposal will be submitted for approval in 2025.

The initiative builds on the state's existing apprenticeship programs. Since 2019, more than 190,000 Californians have completed state-registered apprenticeship programs, supporting the governor's goal of serving 500,000 earn-and-learn apprentices by 2029. California invested more than $221 million in apprenticeship initiatives last fiscal year.

The Master Plan for Career Education represents an update to California's educational framework, which was last comprehensively addressed in the 1960s through the Master Plan for Higher Education. That plan established the structure for the state's postsecondary systems, including Community Colleges, California State University, and the University of California.

State officials noted that the original plan was based on a labor market requiring minimal formal education, while today's economy demands continuous adaptation and upskilling throughout workers' careers. The new framework aims to address these changes while preparing for future workforce challenges, including the impact of artificial intelligence on job requirements.

The framework announcement in Redding highlighted strategies from the North State Regional Plan, one of 13 regional California Jobs First plans. These plans were developed through engagement with more than 10,000 local community members and experts who identified needs and opportunities in their areas.

The complete Economic Blueprint and $120 million to support job-creating projects statewide within the next three years will be released in early 2024. The final Master Plan for Career Education will also be published early next year.

The Career Passport system aims to shift hiring practices toward valuing skills over degrees alone. Employers can use the system to view validated records of candidates' abilities and experience, whether gained through traditional education or other means.

Regional coordination under the plan will focus on creating direct pathways from education to employment, ensuring state residents can access stable, well-paying jobs while helping employers find qualified workers.

The state's civil service reform includes plans to consolidate about 70 job classifications and modernize job descriptions. This is part of the Newsom administration's broader effort to modernize state government and remove barriers to public service employment.

This initiative follows Newsom's Freedom to Succeed Executive Order from August 2023, which launched the development of the Master Plan for Career Education. The statewide effort has been led through a public-private partnership with philanthropic organizations.

The framework addresses California's evolving labor market and educational landscape, acknowledging the changing demographics of college attendees and the impact of automation and artificial intelligence on job categories and skill requirements. It includes flexibility to address future challenges as they emerge.

State officials emphasized that the plan aims to create a more coherent skill-building infrastructure aligned with California's diverse workforce needs, designed to help all residents navigate toward career-sustaining jobs regardless of their background or circumstances.