California Invests $2 Million in Training for Allied Health Careers in its Growing Healthcare Industry

NR No. 25-24
Contact: Loree Levy/Greg Lawson
916-654-9029
mediainquiries@edd.ca.gov

What You Need to Know: California’s healthcare industry has grown by nearly 220,000 jobs since 2020. With that growth, California is experiencing a shortage of health and human services workers, including professionals in behavioral health, primary and specialty care, allied health, nursing, and direct care. The State of California is committed to building a health and human services workforce while providing opportunities for good, high-paying jobs and careers.

SACRAMENTO — A $2 million grant is awarded to help strengthen training programs to fill the demand for allied health workers across California that are essential to the healthcare system. The Employment Development Department (EDD), in partnership with the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, awarded $1 million each to the San Diego State University Research Foundation and South Bay Workforce Investment Board.

Supported by the Workforce for a Healthy California initiative, this investment will help address healthcare worker shortages by expanding training opportunities, helping people build job-ready skills, and connecting them to careers that may have previously been out of reach.

“Growing our allied health workforce is essential to meet the growing demand for healthcare services in California,” said EDD Director Nancy Farias. “We’re helping more people gain access to these critical professions that work side by side with doctors and nurses.”

Key Program Features

This Allied Health Program will prepare participants for high-demand, allied health careers such as pharmacy technicians, medical assistants, certified nursing assistants, emergency medical technicians, licensed vocational nurses, and radiologic technologists. Awardees will serve diverse populations across California, delivering programs that emphasize:

• Industry-Relevant Services designed to meet the specific needs of local communities through hands-on experience to develop practical skills in high demand by healthcare employers.
• Hands-on Certified Training and Work-Based Learning that goes beyond the classroom—giving participants real-world experience so they’re ready to contribute on day one.
• Robust Partnerships with labor organizations, community colleges, and employers to help maximize the impact of the State’s investment.

The Allied Health Program is a California Jobs First initiative. In partnership with its 13 economic regions, the State is investing in job creation, industrial strategy, and economic development initiatives, to create a more equitable economy that works for all Californians.

What They’re Saying:

Jan Vogel, Executive Director of the South Bay Workforce Investment Board: “We are honored to accept this award on behalf of the Board and our valued partners who will play a key role in many aspects of the program. We are always proud to deliver services that enhance career pathways and expand employment opportunities for the participants we serve.”

Daniel Newell, Executive Director of Career Services, San Diego State University: “San Diego State University Career Services is proud to partner with the San Diego Community College District to launch HealthWorks!, an innovative initiative focused on building Stackable Experience Pathways. This concept goes beyond stackable credentials by creating progressive, career-connected experiences, such as work-based learning, class projects, internships, apprenticeships, and more, designed to transition job seekers toward sustainable employment. As university and college career service providers, we must prioritize employment outcomes. Through this partnership, we aim to model a replicable framework that empowers other career centers and institutions to do the same.”

The following organizations were awarded through the Allied Health Program 2024-2025 Grant, after a competitive application and evaluation process:

This grant is 100 percent federally funded totaling $2,000,000 from the U.S. Department of Labor.