Apprenticeships have proven to be highly effective in closing the skills, employment and equity gaps for Los Angeles students and working adults. That’s why we are excited to announce that Los Angeles Community Colleges were recently awarded $11.6 million to expand our apprenticeship programs across our county.
Governor Newsom has set a goal of 500,000 earn-and-learn apprenticeships by 2029. California has achieved roughly 100,000 to date, so we know more must be done to scale the growth of registered apprenticeships. Designed by employers and educators, apprenticeship programs were developed to provide professionals in the skilled trades hands-on training and in-classroom instruction that prepared workers to make an impact on day one. The model was so successful it has been replicated across multiple sectors from healthcare, to information technology, to early care and education.
As part of the California Community Colleges ongoing efforts to meet the state’s and Los Angeles County’s need for an educated and skilled workforce, the Los Angeles apprenticeship expansion funding was made possible by the California Apprenticeship Initiative New & Innovative (CAI N&I) Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship Grant Program.
The Los Angeles Regional Consortium has also created a regional Apprenticeship Network called LAUNCH LA. LAUNCH LA leverages the region’s community colleges, K-12 districts, and Workforce Development Boards to develop programs and increase pathways into apprenticeship, both in traditional apprenticeships and new and innovative programs.
By integrating apprenticeship into these local organizations and institutions, LAUNCH LA acts as an intermediary and valued resource for community colleges to break down institutional and systemic silos. When we work together to achieve our shared goals of bridging the gap between Los Angeles workers and high-paying jobs, we can accomplish so much more for Los Angeles County residents.
11 community colleges throughout Los Angeles County competitively received California Apprenticeship Initiative planning and implementation grants to advance the local workforce in manufacturing, healthcare, cybersecurity, and other industries. Funding announced includes:
Apprenticeship Planning Grants
- Pasadena City College – Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician – $120,000
- Pasadena City College – Teacher – $120,000
- Rio Hondo College – IT Systems User Support Specialist – $120,000
- Cerritos College – Risk Management – $119,808
- West Los Angeles College – Facility Management and Construction Inspector – $120,000
- El Camino College – Automotive Service Technician – $38,181
- Los Angeles Valley College – Machinist – $120,000
- Los Angeles Pierce College – Automotive Service Technician – $118,240
- Long Beach City College – Automotive Service Technician – $120,000
- Los Angeles Regional Consortium – Computer User Support Specialist – $120,000
- Mt. San Antonio College – Vocational Nurse – $120,000
- Pasadena City College – Chef – $120,000
- Pasadena City College – Film and TV Assistant – $120,000
- Pasadena City College – Electric Vehicle Charger Repair Technician – $120,000
Apprenticeship Implementation Grants
- El Camino College – Digital Marketer – $1,499,984
- East Los Angeles College – Substance Use and Behavioral Disorders Counselor – $1,500,000
- Cerritos College – Electrical Trainee – $494,597
- Harbor College – Marketing Coordinator – $1,463,605
- Long Beach City College – Software Application Developer – $1,490,696
- Long Beach City College – Marketing Specialist – $1,456,378
- Los Angeles Pierce College – Teacher Assistant, Preschool – $900,000
- Mt. San Antonio College – Medical Assistant – $1,200,000
