California awards over $15 million to apprenticeship programs connecting youth to high-paying jobs
The Californer/10317799

Trending...
News

Jun 24, 2025

California awards over $15 million to apprenticeship programs connecting youth to high-paying jobs

What you need to know: California is providing $15 million in new apprenticeship funding for youth for new high-paying opportunities that do not require a traditional education or four-year degree.

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that 29 youth apprenticeship programs will receive $15.4 million in California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship (COYA) grants. The grant awards will connect opportunity youth with pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs that can lead to employment in high-demand fields, creating a pathway to upward mobility and higher earning power.

"Success shouldn't always require a college degree. Our investments in apprenticeships are building real, hands-on pathways into high-wage, high-growth career opportunities, especially for young people who have been left out or left behind. California is reimagining the future of work in a way that is aligned with the needs of our community and economy."

Governor Gavin Newsom

"Apprenticeship funding is about scaling real, on-the-ground solutions. These grants are helping community organizations, labor unions, and employers launch new opportunities, provide stipends during training, and offer direct support to young people who need a foot in the door. The Governor's focus on practical, targeted investment is opening career opportunities where they're needed most." Stewart Knox, Secretary of Labor & Workforce Development

Opportunity youth are those aged 16 to 24, who may be young parents, former foster youth, people with disabilities, young people who face educational achievement gaps, attend schools in communities struggling with high poverty, or are fully disconnected from the education system.

Paid training in high-demand jobs

California has expanded apprenticeship opportunities for young people and continues to boost training programs for firefighters, paramedics and other health and safety careers, as well as new opportunities that do not require a traditional education or a four-year degree.

California began offering COYA grants in 2024. During the first round, $31 million in funding supported 51 projects across various in-demand sectors. COYA second round recipients will help pair youth in strong employment sectors including:

🎥 Behind-the-scenes union jobs in the entertainment industry through Hollywood Cinema Production Resources with a focus on populations historically excluded from these opportunities, and jobs including lighting, set dressing, editing, stagehand and more.

More on The Californer
🚒 Entry-level firefighter positions through San Diego Miramar College Pre-Apprenticeship Fire Academy in partnership with the California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee will prepare opportunity youth with the skills and competencies needed for entry-level positions and placement on the Statewide Eligibility List for over 170 fire departments in California, with hands-on training to 100 participants in simulated lab experiences meeting all State Fire Training Fire Fighter 1 Fire Academy requirements.

👨🏽‍🍳 Hospitality industry professionals through the Hospitality Training Academy (HTA) is a registered apprenticeship program in California that aims to place opportunity youth in Los Angeles County on a strong career path within the thriving local hospitality industry. The program will provide participants with  comprehensive training and placement with UNITE HERE Local 11 employer partners in positions covered by collective bargaining agreements that include family-sustaining wages, benefits, and pensions.

🏫 Education paraprofessionals through the Tulare County Office of Education, creating a pipeline for careers in education with a COYA planning grant using an approach that combines shorter, related apprenticeships to create a clear career pathway to becoming K-12 teachers.

Click here to see a full list of recipients.

"Watching community organizations unite to support opportunity youth through apprenticeships has been truly inspiring," said DAS Chief Adele Burnes. "DAS remains committed to expanding access and guiding these participants toward long-term, meaningful careers."

The funding will help organizations build and develop apprenticeship programs, including curriculum design and program launch. The grants will also provide youth with stipends, allowing them to earn and learn, and offer supportive services to help them succeed and move forward to high-paying jobs.

How we got here

Since 2019, California has served 215,393 registered apprentices, solidifying its position as the nation's leader in apprenticeship programs. Part of Governor Newsom's Master Plan for Career Education is devoted to expanding youth apprenticeships by enhancing career pathways in high school, strengthening workforce training for young people, and bolstering regional partnerships in communities. It also addresses removing barriers for opportunity youth seeking ways to gain skills before having obtained a college degree. The Governor has a goal to serve 500,000 apprentices by 2029.

More on The Californer
Economy, Press releases, Recent news

https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkur..." rel="nofollow external noopener">https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/x?linkurl=https...">https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/email?linkurl=h...">https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/copy_link?linku...">Recent news

Three years after the end of Roe, Governor Newsom, First Partner sound the alarm on Trump's "Big, Beautiful" plan to defund Planned Parenthood

Jun 24, 2025

News What you need to know: Three years after Roe v. Wade was overturned, Governor Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom warn that Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" would defund Planned Parenthood and strip millions of Americans — especially low-income women —...

California needs more than groundwater to ensure water sustainability

Jun 24, 2025

News What you need to know: Despite the Newsom Administration's efforts to increase groundwater and develop stronger partnerships with water agencies, California's water system remains unprepared for the hotter and drier future. Without the successful completion of...

California National Guard fire crews operating at just 40% capacity due to Trump's illegal Guard deployment

Jun 24, 2025

News What you need to know: President Trump's illegal militarization of Los Angeles continues to hamstring crucial firefighting resources in California at the height of peak fire season. SACRAMENTO – With fires popping up across the state, the California National...

Filed Under: Government, State
Show All News | Report Violation

0 Comments

Latest on The Californer