Grow Apprenticeship California is a Foundation for California Community Colleges initiative supporting the creation and expansion of apprenticeship opportunities throughout the state to ensure equitable access. This support comes through projects that provide guidance and technical assistance for planning, implementing, and scaling apprenticeship programs, as well as supporting networks of practitioners and stakeholders who share knowledge and best practices for developing high-quality apprenticeship opportunities. Support strategies are implemented using human-centered design, Community of Practice, and equity frameworks at the center.
The Foundation for California Community Colleges team leads Grow Apprenticeship California using human-centered design, community of practice, and an equity frameworks-centric approach to technical assistance. The goals of Grow Apprenticeship California include:
- Enhancing cross-sector understanding and coordination among statewide and regional partners, including workforce, education (K-12 and community colleges), and community organizations.
- Driving the expansion of new and innovative pre-apprenticeships, enhanced on-the-job training, and registered apprenticeships as pathways for low-wage workers and young adults to secure quality jobs in California.
- Expanding the capacity of new and innovative apprenticeship programs (pre-apprenticeship, enhanced on-the-job training, and registered apprenticeships) access to funding to ensure sustainability.
- Disseminating effective practices in apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship program design and delivery, equitable practices, sustainability, and partner and employer engagement.
- Increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in California’s registered new and innovative apprenticeship programs to support an equitable economic recovery.
- Bridging education and workforce by developing partnerships with key apprenticeship stakeholders, including state agencies, local workforce development boards, community-based organizations, and policymakers.
All technical assistance offerings encourage continuous growth, learning, professional development, peer-to-peer networking, and thought-partnership opportunities. The technical assistance offered through our work includes:
- Resource Development: Toolkits, research briefs, conference materials, and more.
- In-Person Convenings: Learning Labs, workshops, conference sessions, and more.
- Virtual Convenings: Webinars, training, peer-learning events, and more.
- Moderating Online Community of Practice: Grow Apprenticeship California LinkedIn group.
- Strategic Partnerships: Connecting with local education agencies, workforce development boards, and other key apprenticeship stakeholders.
