California Awards $30m to 70 Non-Traditional Apprenticeship Programs

TL/DR –

The California Department of Industrial Relations and its Division of Apprenticeship Standards are awarding $30 million to 70 apprenticeship programs in sectors that have traditionally not had such programs, including healthcare. The funding, part of the state’s third round of Apprenticeship Innovation Funding, supports training and support costs of running an apprenticeship program. Since the launch of this initiative in 2021, nontraditional registered apprenticeships in California have grown by 76% and the state has a goal of serving 500,000 apprentices by 2029.

California Department of Industrial Relations Awards $30 Million to Apprenticeship Programs

California’s Department of Industrial Relations and its Division of Apprenticeship Standards is granting $30 million to 70 apprenticeship initiatives in sectors lacking traditional apprenticeships, including healthcare. This initiative, known as Apprenticeship Innovation Funding, is California’s third round of such funding.

Previously, in the first and second funding rounds, the state awarded $42.1 million to apprenticeship programs. The funding, which is formula-based, reimburses apprenticeship programs based on the number of apprentices served the prior year. This support covers costs associated with running such programs, including recruitment, employer coordination, support, and apprentice placement.

Secretary of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, Stewart Knox, stated in a press release the importance of these investments in expanding opportunities, bolstering the workforce, and empowering key industries.

Breakdown of Funding Allocations

Among the beneficiaries in this third round of funding is Launch, receiving $1.4 million to support programs focusing on healthcare, information technology, and advanced manufacturing. Healthcare apprenticeships supported by Launch include those for medical assistants and registered nurses. Apprentices receive hands-on, paid training and earn college credit through coursework at schools and community colleges.

With a target of serving 500,000 apprentices by 2029, Governor Gavin Newsom’s funding initiatives, including this one, have already provided 227,492 apprenticeships.

Impact of the Funding Initiative

Since the initiation of Apprenticeship Innovation Funding in 2021, nontraditional apprenticeships in California have surged by 76%. Healthcare is a new addition in this funding round, with education, advanced manufacturing, and transportation being the fastest-growing sectors. The initiative has been recognized for its role in addressing labor shortages, improving workforce retention, and enabling industry-specific training.

The Department of Industrial Relations recognized the influence of Apprenticeship Innovation Funding, stating that it serves as a model for other states in growing apprenticeships. A case in point is Maryland, which recently passed the Registered Apprenticeship Investments for a Stronger Economy Act of 2025, modeled after California’s program.

Chief of the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards, Adele Burnes, highlighted the transformative impact of these apprenticeships, supporting more than 11,000 apprentices earning an average of $50.29 per hour. She emphasized the programs’ role in creating debt-free pathways to long-term professional careers and fostering economic mobility.

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