Workforce & Education

A wealth of nationally and internationally recognized universities and colleges are preparing the workforce needed to keep California businesses competitive. California has nearly 3 million currently enrolled students³, is home to the nation’s largest 4-year public university system⁴, and accounts for half of the nation’s top 10 public universities⁵. Maintaining a skilled labor force is paramount for the continued success of California, supported by a new commitment to provide 2 free years of community college for first time students in California. As a leader in emerging innovations in everything from clean technology to agriculture, California’s available workforce is a world-class asset for your business.

California has gained over 63% non-farm employment recovery since April 2020. California offers businesses a range of services to help recruit qualified job seekers, provide training for new workers, and upskill current employees. Our programs are customized to meet the needs of individual businesses and career seekers.

Employment Training Panel

The Employment Training Panel (ETP) works to ensure that California businesses have the skilled workers they need to remain competitive by providing funds to employers for workforce training programs. Businesses determine their own workforce needs and how to provide training. ETP uses a pay-for-performance contract to provide cash reimbursement for the cost of employer conducted, job-specific skills training for new hires or existing employees.

Division of Apprenticeship Standards

California’s Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) works with individual employers to develop apprenticeship training in a variety of industries and occupations. DAS consultants work directly with businesses to design and implement employment-based training programs that incorporate on-the-job training with related post-secondary classroom instruction provided through local community colleges and adult education programs. Apprenticeship funding may be available to cover the costs of related classroom instruction.

California’s Workforce Development Board

The California Workforce Development Board is aimed at serving the employment and training needs for companies to sustain a skilled workforce. Services are predominantly provided through regional Workforce Investment Boards at One-Stop Career Centers, available at no cost. One-Stop Career Centers offer a range of human resource services including customized recruiting programs, job matching and skills assessment, and on-the-job and pre-employment training.

California’s Veterans

Returning veterans present a strategic hiring advantage that sets California apart. California is home to approximately 2 million veterans – more than any other state in the nation – and employers can take advantage of a workforce that is already skilled in advanced military applications. Given California’s military significance, our veterans are arguably some of the most trained and educated to ever exit from military service.

Joint Venture Program

The Joint Venture Program (JVP) provides vocational training opportunities to inmates within California’s correctional settings and offers businesses a range of benefits for employing them. The JVP is available to businesses that are planning to expand, open a new enterprise or division, return from offshore, or relocate to California from another state.

References
1. California Community Colleges, Key Facts, accessed Nov. 5, 2021
2. The California State University and University of California, accessed November 5, 2021
3. Public Policy Institute of California, “California Higher Education System,” October, 2019
4. The California State University, Introduction, accessed Nov. 5, 2021
5. US News and World Report, “Top Public Schools, National Universities,” accessed Nov. 5, 2021