April 28, 2026
Contact: Melissa Villarin
Office: 916-327-5365
Office E-mail: MVillarin@CCCCO.edu
Study Released during National Apprenticeship Week
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Community Colleges, the nation’s largest workforce development and training provider, today released a new report on the economic and academic impact of apprenticeship programs on students as National Apprenticeship Week (April 26 – May 2) continues.
California has nearly 100,000 active registered apprentices, and the California Community Colleges system is uniquely positioned to help the state reach Gov. Gavin Newsom’s goal of training 500,000 apprentices by 2029. Apprenticeship programs offer cutting-edge, hands-on career training and classroom learning, paving the way for high-wage, high-growth careers all without any student loan debt, which is why they are a core component of the Governor’s Master Plan for Career Education.
“Apprenticeships are at the heart of our system’s Vision 2030,” said California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian. “Our colleges work closely with employers, labor organizations, and community-based groups to design programs that meet real workforce needs. In healthcare, that means helping incumbent workers quickly build skills and move into higher-wage roles, providing them with the economic mobility to lift them into the middle class. In partnership with labor, it means ensuring apprenticeships lead to recognized credentials and degrees, not just short-term training. These models are also expanding into public-sector roles, helping address persistent shortages in education and government service.”
To determine the impact of apprenticeship programs, the California Community Colleges conducted a research project to assess three questions: 1) whether students in apprenticeship programs earn more, less, or the same amount of money as students in ‘traditional’ academic programs with the same career alignment; 2) whether apprentices earn more, less, or the same amount of money as students in ‘traditional’ academic programs with the same career alignment after completion of their programs; and 3) to what extend do apprenticeship students succeed at higher or lower rates in their programs than students in ‘traditional’ academic programs with the same career alignment. In almost all cases, Apprentices out-earn their peers while enrolled and after they complete their studies (for a period of at least two years – the maximum length of time studied). Further, success rates in apprenticeship coursework are significantly higher for almost all programs.
“I attended community college to become a welder, and I chose to join an apprenticeship to gain hands on training and have the opportunity to gain experience from experts,” added Myrli Duque-Sandoval, a second-year welding apprentice. “I think that hands on learning is valuable to me because growing up I struggled from learning to read from a piece of paper. I always did better when I had a visual and even better when I got to apply those skills hands on. Ever since I started my apprenticeship, I have become a better speaker, team member and problem solver and I would definitely recommend others looking into apprenticeships to join a program and take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way.”
The study compared the results of 18 programs of at least 25 ‘completers’ (students who attained an award or reached apprenticeship journey status) compared to similar non-apprenticeship course programs of at least 25 completers. Twelve of the programs were from traditional building and construction trades, while six were considered ‘non-traditional’ apprenticeships. The six non-traditional apprenticeship programs included: dental assistant, fire technology, computer infrastructure and support, medical assisting, health information technology, and child development / early care and education. A full list can be found in the report linked above.
“Apprenticeship programs reduce recruitment and retention time and costs because our community college partner introduces us to students who are already interested in our industry and we get to build a relationship with each one while providing them the technical skills in our business,” said Bryan Hildebrand, Parts and Service Director, Jaguar Land Rover Riverside. “With intense training at our site and compatible classroom instruction, students are ready to build a long-term career with us, which is the goal from day one.”
“Data from the California Community Colleges Apprenticeship Programs shows that apprentices can move from pre-apprenticeship into degree pathways without taking on debt. Employers gain a reliable, customized talent pipeline while reducing recruitment costs, often three to four times a worker’s salary, and achieving retention rates above ninety percent. Colleges, in turn, align programs directly with workforce needs, keeping education relevant and career focused,” concluded Chancellor Christian.
California has more than 200 Career Education programs across the state and leads the United States in the number of apprentices and apprenticeship programs. For more information, visit the Apprenticeship Programs page of the California Community Colleges website.
The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 116 colleges serving 2.2 million students per year. California community colleges provide career education and workforce training; guaranteed transfer to four-year universities; and degree and certificate pathways. As the state’s engine for social and economic mobility, the California Community Colleges supports the Vision 2030, a strategic plan designed to improve student success, our communities and our planet. For more information, please visit the California Community Colleges website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
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