California officials announced Nov. 22 the state will invest $24.7 million to create 8,270 apprenticeships across several key industries.
The funding, distributed through the Apprenticeship Innovation Funding program, will support 65 apprenticeship programs in healthcare, transportation, education, advanced manufacturing, information technology, and the public sector.
The initiative aims to help Californians earn while they learn. Apprentices are expected to earn an average wage of $32 per hour. The program will create 8,270 new apprenticeship positions across the state.
"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," Gov. Gavin Newsom said.
The announcement follows the unveiling of California's Jobs First Economic Blueprint, which outlines California's economic growth and job creation strategy over the next decade. The complete blueprint will be released in early 2025, along with $120 million in funding for job-creating projects statewide within the next three years.
Department of Industrial Relations Director Katie Hagen said, "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."
California leads the nation in registered apprenticeships, with 190,915 apprentices served to date. The state has set a target of reaching 500,000 apprentices by 2029.
This marks the second round of funding through the Apprenticeship Innovation program. The initiative aligns with broader state efforts to foster economic growth by creating earn-and-learn pathways that meet current workforce demands across industries.
The funding announcement builds on the governor's recent visit to Fresno, where he introduced new economic strategies aimed at creating jobs throughout California's diverse regions.
The apprenticeship programs will be implemented across various locations in California, and funds will be allocated based on regional workforce needs and industry demands.