February 27, 2025 | Oakland, CA — MedLegalNews.com — California apprenticeship funding is taking center stage in 2025 as the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) and its Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) announce $68 million in new support to expand apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs across the state. This investment aims to create career pathways, address labor shortages, and help employers committed to the apprenticeship model strengthen California’s workforce.
Strengthening California’s Workforce
“Apprenticeships are the gold standard of workforce training, and under Governor Newsom, we have expanded this pathway to good jobs in advanced manufacturing, transit, and healthcare.”
This major investment will provide hands-on job training and remove employment barriers. Specifically, the funding includes:
- $52 million in Apprenticeship Innovation Funding (AIF) to support new and expanding apprenticeship programs in high-demand industries like technology and healthcare.
- $16 million from the California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship (COYA) grant to help young people (ages 16–24), particularly those out of school or unemployed, enter the workforce.
California continues to lead the way in expanding apprenticeship programs to fill labor gaps. This funding will help employers and program sponsors cover costs while creating pathways to well-paying jobs.
Building on Success
This marks the third round of AIF funding. Previous rounds awarded $41.7 million to 73 registered apprenticeship programs, leading to significant growth. For example:
- The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority increased its apprentices from 80 to 258, filling critical bus driver vacancies.
Meanwhile, the COYA funding focuses on opportunity youth—those facing challenges such as foster care involvement, child welfare issues, or juvenile justice system experience.
- In the first COYA round, $31 million supported 51 projects.
- EMS Corps used $1.8 million to train Firefighter and Paramedic pre-apprentices.
- The California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee, the state’s largest apprenticeship program, currently has 12,129 active apprentices.
“We are dedicated to creating a seamless system that connects youth to employment through apprenticeships. This earn-and-learn model helps young people gain job skills while earning a wage and upskilling through subsidized coursework.”
Statewide Workforce Investment
This funding builds on Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent announcement of $92 million for workforce training programs. These investments align with the Jobs First Economic Blueprint, which prioritizes job creation and economic growth. Expand Apprenticeships and Create Jobs
How to Apply
Eligible programs can apply for AIF funding to reimburse apprenticeship training costs. To learn more, applicants can attend an informational session on February 27, 2025.
For COYA funding, applicants must:
- Have at least two years of experience serving opportunity youth.
- Show a track record of helping young people gain employment.
- Be a local education agency, union, workforce development board, or apprenticeship program sponsor.
To assist applicants, a COYA informational session will take place on March 20, 2025.
🔗 Source: California Department of Industrial Relations
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FAQs: California Apprenticeship Funding 2025
What is California apprenticeship funding?
California apprenticeship funding refers to the state’s $68 million investment to expand registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs through the Department of Industrial Relations and the Division of Apprenticeship Standards.
How will the California apprenticeship funding be distributed?
The investment includes $52 million for Apprenticeship Innovation Funding to support new and growing programs, and $16 million through the California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship grant to connect young people to employment.
Which sectors benefit most from California apprenticeship funding?
High-demand industries such as healthcare, transit, technology, and advanced manufacturing will receive support to close labor gaps and increase skilled job placements.
Why is California apprenticeship funding important for the workforce?
This initiative strengthens California’s labor market by providing paid, hands-on training that helps workers gain valuable skills while employers build a sustainable talent pipeline.