The California Workforce Development Board (CWDB) is the Governor’s agent for the development, oversight, and continuous improvement of California’s workforce development system. The CWDB assists the Governor in setting and guiding workforce development policy, developing innovative initiatives through statewide programs, and expanding the High Road vision through its field branch. The workforce development system is comprised of 45 Local Workforce Development Areas (Local Area), each with its own business-led Local Workforce Development Board (Local Board). These Local Boards work together with the state and their local Chief Elected Officials to oversee the delivery of workforce services relevant to their residents and businesses. The California Unemployment Insurance Code §14200 – §14531 and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) give authority to CWDB to carry out the tasks associated with furthering a High Road workforce system. Learn more about the CWDB in the About Us section.

California and the CWDB are committed to a High Road vision for the state’s workforce development system that embodies the principles of job quality, worker voice, equity, and environmental sustainability. Implementing this vision through policy, programs, and other practices will benefit workers, job-seekers, and industry as well as the state’s workforce development system.

Upcoming Funding

Featured Workforce Initiatives

High Road

High Road Training Partnerships (HRTP) and High Road Construction Careers (HRCC) a systemic approach to industry-based workforce development addressing critical issues of equity, job quality, worker voice, and environmental sustainability.

CAAL Skills

An interagency and multi-departmental data-sharing and program evaluation initiative that uses detailed information from federal and state-funded workforce, education, and human services programs to measure participation and associated outcomes for program participants.

Regional CA

Work to stimulate economic growth, create jobs and build the talent needed to increase income mobility and regional prosperity through collaboration among multiple workforce systems and bringing workforce leaders together.

Prison to Employment

Creates opportunities through collaborative partnerships with state workforce programs and the state corrections systems so that formerly incarcerated and justice-involved individuals can successfully reenter society and the labor force.

Workforce Accelerator Fund

Funds projects that design, develop, and implement programs that accelerate employment and provide access to workforce services and employment opportunities for targeted groups and disadvantaged populations.

HIRE

Increases employment opportunities and job mobility for formerly incarcerated and justice-involved individuals through partnerships with reentry-focused organizations that provide training, reskilling and upskilling, and supportive services.

Breaking Barriers

Supplements existing workforce and education programs by providing services to target populations who are often not eligible for other state and federal programs in an effort to address disparities in the labor market.

Coming Soon

Initiative Coming Soon

In the Spotlight

CWDB is proud to spotlight projects that expand opportunities for women to secure quality, good-paying jobs. CWDB designs each grant program to support job quality, equity, and career advancement for disadvantaged populations, including women.

Participants receive training and wrap-around supportive services to improve access to quality employment opportunities that can lead to long-term careers. Read more.

Julie was struggling financially when she was laid off. Then, she came across a flyer advertising the Columbia College’s Certified Medical Assistant Training Program. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

Paid training through Mother Lode Job Training, a grantee of the Regional Equity & Recovery Partnership, allowed Julie to return to the medical field, improving her career prospects and earning potential. With support from Mother Lode Job Training, she is currently seeking employment as a Medical Assistant and looks forward to making a difference in people’s lives. Read more.

Linda’s love of art and animation led her to apply for BRIC Foundation’s Animation, Visual Effects, and Gaming (AVG) Apprenticeship Program, a Regional Equity and Recovery Partnerships funded program. The 6-month paid apprenticeship allowed her to quit her low-paying entry-level job and focus on her dream.

“Without BRIC, I wouldn’t have this amazing opportunity with Warner Bros. Production Animation,” said Linda. Female animators make up only about 24% of the animation artist workforce. Through paid, on-the-job training and mentorship, the BRIC Foundation aims to increase diversity in the Arts and Entertainment industry. Read more.

Before starting the Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) to Registered Nurse (RN) Apprenticeship Training Program at Riverside City College, Gabby Manzo often worked overtime to provide for her four children. As soon as she became a full-time LVN at the California Institution for Women, she began preparing for the SEIU Local 1000 Apprenticeship.

Thanks to the school costs being covered by the High Road Training Partnership grant, she was able to complete the program and significantly increase her income. Read more.

In high school, Mahaila explored many different career paths and ultimately settled on dental hygiene. She was happy to find Kern County Employers’ Training Resource’s Dental Hygienist program at Taft College, which covered almost all of the training expenses thanks to the CWDB grant. “I’ll always be grateful for what the Regional Equity and Recovery Partnerships grant has done for me,” said Mahaila. Read more.

When Roseville Adult School told Irina’s class about the Clinical Medical Assistant Training Program, the opportunity immediately caught her attention. Although, she faced the hurdle of tuition fees because she wasn’t working at the time. Fortunately, Golden Sierra Job Training Agency visited her class and explained how the Regional Equity and Recovery Partnerships grant covers educational expenses for low-income individuals.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to Roseville Adult School, its dedicated teachers, and the director for always supporting and guiding us,” said Irina. Read more.

CWDB JOB OPENINGS

People participating in a Cannabis training class

Review our available positions below, and visit the CalCareers webpage to learn more about how to apply for a state job.

New to the State – Review the 3 Steps To A State Job webpage and be sure to complete the exam/assessment and state application before applying for this position.

Are you passionate about ending poverty and inequality? Are you motivated to address the climate crisis and social injustice while working on economic and workforce development? If so, you may be a great fit for one of our open positions at the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB).

The CWDB is recognized nationally as a progressive and experimental state workforce department, charting a path to a High Road economy and approach to workforce development grounded in the principles of social equity, environmental sustainability, and resilience and quality jobs. Over the past decade, the CWDB’s budget, programs, and staff have grown exponentially using federal and state workforce funding to pilot new sector-based workforce initiatives and develop policy solutions that address the quality and accessibility of jobs in addition to training.

Click Below To View Current CWDB Job Opportunities:

EXECUTIVE TEAM

No jobs openings are currently available in this branch

EQUITY CLIMATE & JOBS FIELDS TEAM

No jobs openings are currently available in this branch

POLICY IMPLEMENTATION & ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT TEAM

No jobs openings are currently available in this branch

POLICY, RESEARCH AND LEGISLATION TEAM

The Policy, Research and Legislation team is hiring for a Reentry Specialist. Under the general direction of the Staff Services Manager II, the Staff Services Manager I (SSM I) Specialist serves as a highly independent, non-supervisory manager, and is responsible for the highest level of information gathering, analysis, decisions, and recommendations on workforce development pertaining to the Corrections Workforce Partnership Agreement (CWPA) for the California Workforce Development Board. In this role, the SSM I Specialist will identify best practices and effective strategies for serving formerly incarcerated and justice involved individuals with successful reentry and employment attainment. Additionally, in conjunction with statewide partners including the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), the California Prison Industry Authority (CalPIA), and other state, federal, and local partners, the incumbent will develop/determine labor market outcomes. This includes developing and implementing all the actions necessary to carry out the provisions of the agreement. Learn more: JC-466680

PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION & REGIONAL SUPPORT TEAM

No jobs openings are currently available in this branch