Gov. Gavin Newsom has officially proclaimed Apprenticeship Week in California, calling the state a national leader in increasing the number and type of apprenticeships offered.
Apprenticeship Week began Sunday in the state and will run through Saturday, the governor’s office said. This is the tenth anniversary of National Apprenticeship Week, which encompasses the same dates.
“California joins employers, workers, educators and other partners in uplifting apprenticeships as a vital career pathway that is key to the prosperity and vitality of our state,” Newsom said in a statement.
Since 2018, 190,915 people have completed a state-registered apprenticeship program, moving California closer to its goal of serving 500,000 apprentices by 2029, according to the governor’s office.
The state invested more than $221 million during the last fiscal year for apprenticeship initiatives that align industry and workforce needs and expand apprenticeships to new, in-demand careers, the governor’s office said.
The Apprenticeship Innovation Fund program provided $41.7 million to scale and support apprenticeships in health care, information technology, education, transportation, agriculture, public service, and advanced manufacturing.
“Supporting the next generation of skilled workers is key to building a stronger, fairer and more prosperous future for our state. I invite all Californians to learn about the many benefits of apprenticeships and the exciting work underway to expand access to these transformative opportunities for people from all backgrounds,” Newsom said.
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