Governor on Oct. 16 announced a $44.4 million investment to train 49,000 new apprentices through 131 programs statewide, the governor’s office said.
The administration said the funding breaks down to $15.9 million for 67 programs through the Apprenticeship Innovation Fund, supporting about 10,000 individuals; and $28.5 million through the Employment Training Panel to back 64 apprenticeship programs and train an estimated 39,040 workers.
The governor’s office said the new investments bring total earn-and-learn opportunities to 694,000 since 2019, including 266,756 registered apprentices since Newsom took office; the office said 1 in 30 Californians in the workforce has completed an earn-and-learn or apprenticeship program.
The administration tied the apprenticeship push to recent job gains; it said California added 129,300 payroll jobs year over year from Sept. 2025 to Sept. 2026 and that the state’s job growth rate was more than twice the national rate.
The state said it has expanded non‑traditional apprenticeships by 76% to grow opportunities in health care, advanced manufacturing, technology and other high‑demand sectors; the administration framed the programs as options that do not require a four‑year degree and that help employers fill openings.
"Every apprenticeship is an opportunity for Californians, no matter their background, to build a future with dignity, skill, and purpose," said , Secretary of the Labor & Workforce Development Agency.
"Apprenticeships have established themselves as one of the leading pathways to sustainable careers," said Dr. Jessica Grimes, Executive Director of the Employment Training Panel.
"The best thing about the Operating Engineers apprenticeship program is that if you show up, they will teach you everything you need to know and do from day one," said Brandy Smith, a trainee in the ETP apprenticeship pathway. "This program has saved my family and put me in a position where I can fight for my family, and I love what I do!" said Smith in the release.
State
Gavin Newsom
Governor · Democrat
Named 3 times in this story.
Portrait: Official portrait
State
Stewart Knox
Secretary, California Labor and Workforce Development Agency
Named once in this story.
Sources & methodology
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