California’s Department of Industrial Relations has received a $1.8 million ApprenticeshipUSA grant from the Labor Department to develop and expand apprenticeship programs in the state.DIR said Tuesday the federal grant will help the department boost its Division of Apprenticeship Standards plan that works to double the number of registered apprentices within the next 10 years in a push to engage non-traditional industries in apprenticeship and open opportunities for women and low-income groups.
“Apprenticeship programs are one of the best paths that workers can choose to find world-class on-the-job training that leads to good-paying careers,” said David Lanier, California labor and workforce development secretary.
Christine Baker, DIR director, said the grant will help the department expand into new industries as well as offer more career opportunities to workers.
The department added that the grants will support business engagement in advanced manufacturing, information and communication technology, transportation and health care as well as foster diversity and equity in apprenticeship opportunities and develop a data management system to track apprenticeship program outcomes.
