Developing Our Future Workforce

California apprenticeship programs represent the future of California’s innovative economy, and our education systems are at the forefront of not only ensuring apprentices have the knowledge base necessary for in-demand jobs, but also to inspire lifelong learning that may lead to advancement in their careers.

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction to prepare workers for highly skilled careers and have proven an effective model in preparing American workers to compete in today’s economy. While apprenticeship programs were initially built for industries such as construction and manufacturing, apprenticeships are now instrumental for training and career preparedness in growing and emerging industries throughout the state, including education, information technology, and culinary arts.

The Chancellors Office provides funding through the California Apprenticeship Initiative (CAI) New and Innovative (N&I) Grant Program to create or bolster apprenticeship opportunities in priority and emerging industry sectors or areas in which apprenticeship training is not fully established or does not exist. In addition, the Chancellors Office allocates funds through the Related and Supplemental Reimbursement (RSI) Program for the purpose of reimbursing Community College Districts (CCD) and K-12 local education agencies (LEA) for the attendance of apprentices enrolled in any class maintained by a CCD or K-12 LEA pursuant to Section 3074 of the Labor Code.

Contact us at Apprenticeship@CCCCO.edu for more information.

Resources

Attention CAI Program Applicants: The California Apprenticeship Initiative (CAI) program is one of the most important workforce development initiatives of the Chancellor's Office and is critical to achieving, and scaling up to achieve, the Governor's goal of increasing the number of apprentices statewide to 500,000 by 2029. A Notification of Intent to Award the CAI New and Innovative Grant Program for FY 23-24 was distributed on March 7, 2024. As with all Chancellor’s Office review processes, redundancies are in place to ensure that scoring is done fairly and rubrics applied equally.  Part of that process includes opportunities for staff and the field to appeal to ensure certainty in the selection and award process before final determinations are made.

Since that time, the Chancellor’s Office became aware of irregularities in the rubric for scoring applications and, as a result, will be re-assessing the applications over the next month.  The determination to re-evaluate all applications ensures the highest level of integrity to the system and our students. Once this process is complete, we will post the revised notice of intent to award.  Applicants will then have 10 business days to file appeals and we will have 30 calendar days to respond.

Scoring for the three types of apprenticeship grants will be as follows:

Planning Grant
  • RFA Requirements
    (75 points)
  • Occupation Proportion of Regional Labor Market Demand (25 points)
Implementation Grant
  • RFA Requirements
    (75 Points)
  • Occupation Proportion of Regional Labor Market Demand (15 Points)
  • Cost per Apprentice or Pre-Apprentice (10 Points)
Expansion Grant
  • RFA Requirements
    (75 Points)
  • Occupation Proportion of Regional Labor Market Demand (15 Points)
  • Cost per Apprentice or Pre-Apprentice (10 Points)

Please address any questions to Apprenticeship@CCCCO.edu.

Associated Documents

Revised Notice of Intent to Award (pending)

CAI New and Innovative Grant Program Fiscal Year 2023-24 Request for Applications (PDF)

CAI New and Innovative Grant Program Fiscal Year 2023-24 Webinar (mp4)

California Apprenticeship Initiative Bidders’ Conference 2023 Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

Virtual Office Hours

The Workforce & Economic Development Apprenticeship Team offers virtual office hours to assist with grant questions or issues. Stop by with your questions or just pop in to say hello! Hours are open, so feel free to join and stay only as long as needed.

Office Hours:
2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month between the hours of 2-3:30 pm. 

Meeting ID: 994 2912 1898

Join the Zoom Meeting