California Youth Apprenticeship Committee and DIR collaborate to expand opportunities for youth

 

The Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) is pleased to convene the first meeting of the California Youth Apprenticeship Committee (CYAC) on February 6, at 9 a.m. DAS has posted information on how to join the meeting virtually on its website.

“Only 30% of apprentices in our state are between 16 and 24 years old,” said DAS Chief Eric Rood. “We look forward to collaborating with CYAC to expand apprenticeship and provide our youth with equitable career opportunities through the earn-and-learn pathway.”

The 19 members appointed to the new committee represent youth, youth-serving organizations, labor, employers of youth, K–12 schools, community colleges, and the public workforce system. The committee was established in SB-191, with the goal to advance youth apprenticeship in California. For more information on youth apprenticeship, including a full list of CYCA committee members, visit the DAS California Youth Apprenticeship webpage.

The committee is tasked specifically with creating clear definitions for youth apprenticeship and high school apprenticeship, developing guiding principles for the Youth Apprenticeship Grant Program and offering insight to the structure of the state’s work to expand youth apprenticeship. The Youth Apprenticeship Grant Program has been funded at $20,000,000 in the 2022-2023 budget year.

The Department of Industrial Relations’ Division of Apprenticeship Standards consults with employers to develop a skilled workforce, by establishing innovative apprenticeship programs that offer training, to create viable career pathways for Californians.