Over 50 percent of the U.S. workforce is made up of women, yet women represent less than 4 percent nationally of the construction trades. The construction industry is critical to our nation’s and state's economy. With a shortfall of building and construction trade talent, it’s never been a better time for women to enter these historically male-dominated construction occupations that can provide a pathway to high-paying careers and family-sustaining financial security. ..... Read More

Scaling and growing registered apprenticeship programs in California is an essential investment in the future workforce: Fostering social mobility and driving sustainable workforce development. California is unlocking the full potential of registered apprenticeship programs in new sectors such as healthcare, transportation, education, advanced manufacturing, information technology, and more by supporting the expansion and scaling of these programs with funding. ..... Read More

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has announced the Biden-Harris Administration recently announced the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to solicit applications for a second round of the Apprenticeship Building America (ABA2) grant program...... Read More

The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) and its Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) Solicits Proposals for $25 Million California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship Grant (COYA)...... Read More

California’s construction industry is thriving! Did you know the Bureau of Labor Statistics identified construction laborer as one of the occupations with the largest projected increase in jobs in the U.S.?..... Read More

In a significant stride to uplift and empower at-risk youth, the Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) unveiled the CA Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship Grant (COYA) during National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2023. This initiative is dedicated to connecting opportunity youth, ages 16 -24, facing social-economic challenges with comprehensive pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship opportunities..... Read More

Yesterday, in a dynamic celebratory video announcement, the Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) announced the awardees of the first $17 Million in Apprenticeship Innovation Funding (AIF). AIF is formula funding to help scale apprenticeships across many new sectors. This funding is accessible to IACA programs, which are programs associated with the Interagency Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship (IACA) which oversees all apprenticeships outside of the building and fire trades. Read More

The California Tooling & Machining Apprenticeship Association (CTMAA) is an association of manufacturing industry leaders dedicated to addressing the national gap in machining talent.... Read More

Join us in congratulating Eric Rood, Chief of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS), on his retirement as of November 3, 2023. As DAS Chief Rood concludes a distinguished tenure of 30 years in state service, DAS comes together to celebrate his profound state public service... Read More

During National Apprenticeship Week 2023, the Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) commemorates and honors Margot Reed (February 27th, 1962- May 15th, 2023), a trailblazing leader in apprenticeship who was a source of inspiration... Read More

The California Community College Chancellor’s Office has announced the availability of $40M in grant funding through the California Apprenticeship Initiative New and Innovative Grant Program (CAI). ..... Read More

In July 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor awarded the Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) with the State Apprenticeship Expansion, Equity, and Innovation Grant (SAEEI) to create apprenticeship pathways within the local workforce ecosystem. ..... Read More

The spotlight turns to Ripon, California where the administrators have paved the way for the first high school youth apprentice to complete a state registered apprenticeship program in California ..... Read More

The Masonry Industry Training Association (MITA) was founded in 1996 by a group of contractors and suppliers and held it's first class at Riverside Community College in 1997..... Read More

Chef Ann Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping schools take action so that every child has daily access to fresh, healthy school food. Founded by Chef Ann Cooper, a recognized trailblazer in the realm of school food reform, the foundation provides training and resources to enable schools to create healthier food choices. In California, the foundation has spearheaded a pioneering initiative by..... Read More

Industries are being reinvented by innovations such as the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), better known as drones. Drones can be used for much more than capturing cinematic panoramas. From search and rescue operations to agriculture, construction, mapping inaccessible terrains, and medical supply deliveries to remote areas, drones are transforming how businesses operat..... Read More

In honor the 86th anniversary of the National Apprenticeship Act, the Department of Labor (DOL) has recently launched The Apprentice Trailblazer Initiative to create a diverse national network of apprentices and apprenticeship graduates to serve as spokespersons, subject matter experts, and role models..... Read More

Exciting opportunity for someone to lead the efforts for creating California's workforce of tomorrow through apprenticeship! The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) is looking for a talented Chief of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards. Please share with anyone who you think would be a great fit or consider joining our team yourself.https://www.dir.ca.gov/DAS/Chief.html

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On June 30, 2023, Kitchens for Good ended their fiscal year in the best way possible — with a beautiful apprentice celebration! 

The San Diego-based nonprofit organization had a record number of apprentices graduate from their programs. Eleven apprentices graduated after logging 2,820 hours of study and on-the-job training or by demonstrating an intensive set of core competencies.

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The Division of Operations and Maintenance (O&M) of the Department of Water Resources held a graduation ceremony in May for 22 Apprentices who graduated from the O&M Apprenticeship Program as Utility Craftsworkers, Hydroelectric Plant.... Read More

This year marks a significant milestone for the State of California as we commemorate the 40th anniversary of ensuring that apprenticeship academic training is adequately funded. As a result of innovative policies and investments made decades ago, California is now a national leader in registered apprenticeships.... Read More

Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT) made history recently when it celebrated its first female graduate of the Bus Mechanic Apprenticeship Program, Brianna Harrison. She completed her training on April 1 and was celebrated along with Anthony Bertuccelli who finished his apprenticeship in August of 2021, but COVID-19 restrictions prevented gathering for formal recognition until recently... Read More

Outreach, recruitment, retention, and leadership development for women in skilled trades have been the mission of Tradeswomen Inc. (TWI), since its start in 1979. On June 16, the mission was on full display when TWI held its annual Women in Apprenticeship Training Institute at the California State University East Bay facilities in Oakland. ... Read More

As we all work to create new and innovative registered apprenticeship pathways for our IACA and CAC programs, it becomes pressing to identify more funding opportunities to support their growth and scalability ... Read More

DAS is pleased to announce the selection of Kelly Mackey, DAS Director of Strategic Partnerships, as the recipient of the President's Award from the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) ... Read More

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Bipin Thomas, founder and CEO of ICURO ... Read More

The WestCal® Pre-Apprenticeship Program is a 16-week / 96-hour program, funded through a collaboration of public agencies ... Read More

Communities throughout California face significant environmental challenges, from climate change to pollution and other environmental injustices ... Read More

Before I got in the union, I was doing in-home care in Beverly Hills for Tatum O’Neal. It wasn’t the best job, but I couldn’t complain. I went in everyday with a positive attitude ready to work ... Read More

In 2021, I saw a flyer on social media about a women in construction training program for San Francisco residents ... Read More

In 2001, I enrolled in welding and skilled trades classes at Laney college. During my semester, a woman by the name of Beth Youhn from Tradeswomen ... Read More

When I was 17, I decided to pursue a Doctors' degree in children’s psychology. After a year of studying psychology ... Read More

The California Farm Academy (CFA) apprenticeship program recently held a graduation in Clarksburg for their 2022 graduates. ... Read More

This past October, 35 union companies, local unions, organizations and vendors participated in a Women in Construction Career Event ... Read More

The building industry is increasingly applying recent technological advancements and virtual design methods to create, construct, and operate buildings ... Read More

The Stanislaus County Office of Education, in collaboration with the Valley Building & Construction Trades Council, hosted the 3rd Annual Apprenticeship Exposition this past spring ... Read More

“I am a proud Millwright apprentice out of local 102! I am a first-generation daughter to my parents ... Read More

“Joining the operating engineers changed my life. To prepare myself for a career, and to be able to support my two kids I am raising on my own ... Read More

This past summer, the third delegation of Tradeswomen Building Bridges went abroad. After two trips to India, the destination this time was the United Kingdom for networking and learning exchange. ... Read More

Apprenticeships offer an opportunity for employers to fill acute talent needs through earn-and-learn pathways, including in healthcare. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates that healthcare occupations will see 2 million new jobs created within the next decade ... Read More

Building and construction trades have been the backbone of apprenticeship in California for decades... Read More

Say the word "construction" and it's highly likely that your mind conjures images of steel, heavy equipment, caution signs and men in hard hats ... Read More

Four years ago, Governor Gavin Newsom laid out his administration’s ambitious goal to expand California’s apprenticeship system to serve 500,000 apprentices by 2029. ... Read More

Carl Cimino was raised in construction. He spent many -days and evenings helping his father with remodel projects, and later working for him on housing tracts from Pleasanton to Half Moon Bay. ... Read More

At 16, Sergio Cortez struggled with addiction. He joined in the Coast Guard when he was 17, but his ongoing battle led to incarceration after serving. ... Read More

When my ability to work as a nanny was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, I was working a string of odd jobs, ranging from patient transport, to grocery store clerk, to serving at a local restaurant. ... Read More

I was made aware of the apprenticeship program through a wonderful woman named Denise, who’d directed me to visit the website and fill out the application. ... Read More

The Apprenticeship Hall of Fame was established in 1981 by the California Apprenticeship Council to recognize those who have made significant contributions to apprenticeship in California. ... Read More

The Santa Clara County Construction Careers Association, known as S4CA, was founded in a quest for collaboration. S4CA is a partnership of construction industry organizations, educational institutions and community agencies that promote the construction industry and apprenticeship as a viable career alternative. ... Read More

On March 3, DAS Chief Eric Rood joined Labor Secretary Natalie Palugyai, Deputy Labor Secretary Abby Snay, Department of Industrial Relations’ Director Katie S. Hagen and DIR Chief Deputy Deanna Ping on a tour of the Rising Sun Center for Opportunity’s Opportunity Build in ... Read More

The Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) are hosting a new webinar series, “Inclusive 21st Century Apprenticeships,” which will highlight innovative apprenticeship programs and initiatives ... Read More

At construction job sites across the country, women only make up one of every 100 workers. Lindsay Fitzgerald, a third-year apprentice with ABC Northern California ... Read More

The California Conference on Apprenticeship (CCA) will take place for the first time in 4 years, May 3-6, 2022 in Monterey. This event is an opportunity for the entire apprenticeship community to gather, share best practices and get inspired ... Read More

The last couple of years have been challenging for all of us, including in the apprenticeship community. Our apprenticeship programs and our apprentices have fought through the COVID-19 pandemic with perseverance and hard work. I’ve seen creativity and resilience in programs, as they pivot and continue to provide quality training ... Read More

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Operation and Maintenance Apprenticeship Program began in 1971. When the program first began in the ’70s, DWR started with six hydroelectric plant operator apprentices in a one-room classroom in Bakersfield. Today, much of DWR’s workforce consists of apprentice graduates ... Read More

John and Mercedes Hong, directors of Fontana-based The Spot Apprentice Academy, dreamed of helping individuals turn their passion for barbering and cosmetology into reality. That reality came true with the help of the Los Angeles Unified School District and DAS ... Read More

Joseph Peterson, a fifth year ABC Northern California (ABC NorCal) apprentice, has been awarded the prestigious Southwire 2021 Top Gun Apprentice. The recipient of the award is selected by Southwire Company based on who received the highest scores throughout the apprenticeship program ... Read More

It took quite a while for the Ironworkers to welcome women into their ranks. The first known women Ironworker, Kelly Mann, was from Local 751 Alaska. She started working Iron in 1975. Fast forward to today. Ironworkers Local 229 has many female journey workers and apprentices, as do most of the other locals... Read More

My name is Joseph Aragon III, and I’m a United States Army veteran and third-year Commercial Electrical Apprentice with WECA Member Contractor Reyff Electric Company. Before becoming a commercial electrical apprentice, I served as a 63B-wheeled vehicle mechanic in Afghanistan and at Joint Base Lewis-McChord just outside of Tacoma, Washington ... Read More