Public Sector Apprenticeship Program

Geographic Scope: Statewide California

Announcement Date: August 13, 2024

Focus Areas:

• Building public sector apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs
• Non-traditional Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAP)
• High-demand occupations: accounting, information technology, mental and behavioral health
• Local government capacity building

Target Population:

• Low-income earners
• Opportunity youth
• Foster youth
• People with disabilities
• Veterans
• Formerly incarcerated individuals

Program Components:

• Establishment of statewide Registered Apprenticeship "hub"
• Incentive funding for participating employer partners
• Streamlined administrative processes and support
• Technical assistance in RAP design, registration, system navigation, and workforce alignment
• Linkages from RAPs to existing pre-apprenticeship programs
• Teacher initiatives and pre-apprenticeship program expansion
• Comprehensive, coordinated training and support services

Partner Organizations:

• NextGen Policy (grant recipient and pre-apprenticeship program leadership)
• The Clover Agency (team and project management)
• Institute for Local Government (ILG) (Intermediary and Program Sponsor role)

Employer Support: Over 25 associations, municipalities, and organizations have already secured support for the initiative.

Background: This grant builds on NextGen Policy's previous $1.8 million award from the California Employment Development Department. Public sector vacancy rates are at or above 15% with significant retirements looming, making the need for skilled workers critical.