California Strengthens Job Training for Young Adults Facing Employment Barriers

NR No. 25-16
Contact: Loree Levy/Greg Lawson
916-654-9029
mediainquiries@edd.ca.gov

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What you need to know: Furthering California’s commitment to helping young adults find good jobs, EDD has awarded $30 million in grants through Governor Newsom’s Freedom to Succeed Executive Order to strengthen job training for people facing significant barriers to employment.

SACRAMENTO — The Employment Development Department (EDD) announced today $28 million for California-based organizations that train young adults to work in agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, and other growing industries. The funds will help 15 California-based organizations focus on training young adults who face significant barriers to finding good jobs.

“These training programs open doors to new and better jobs for young adults in California,” said EDD Director Nancy Farias.

The grant funding announced today is part of the Opportunity Young Adult Career Pathway Program, and the Master Plan for Career Education. In partnership with 13 economic regions, the State invests in job creation, industrial strategy, and economic development initiatives. Today’s investments focus on job training for young adults who are homeless, were in foster care as a child, or were incarcerated in the past.

_{Photo Courtesy of West Hills College}

Key Program Features

Awardees design and deliver programs that include:

• Certified training and hands-on training aligned with industry standards in trending industries.
• Apprenticeships and other hands-on training like paid internships, pre-apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and mentorships.
• Academic and nonacademic support such as transportation, childcare, and mental health resources.
• Education and training outside a traditional four-year degree.

An additional $1.7 million has been awarded to MDRC to provide technical assistance and strengthen collaboration among the 15 awardees, share best practices, and support program development and implementation.

Details about the specific awardees and training projects appear below.

_{Photo Courtesy of Compassion Planet}

What They’re Saying:

Stewart Knox, Secretary, California Labor & Workforce Development Agency: “While many Californians have access to good jobs, we can do more to help young adults. These investments support relevant, hands-on training for good jobs and shorten the time it takes to enter a new career—key parts of California’s Master Plan for Career Education.”   

 Lyle Batalona, Program Director, YMCA of San Diego County’s Youth & Family Services: “We’re excited and grateful for this investment in young people’s futures. FastTrack Futures provides the training, paid work experience, and support they need to break through barriers and confidently step into meaningful careers with opportunities for growth.”

Laura McNeil, Vice President of Operations, UAW-Labor Employment and Training Corporation: “We are bridging the gap to employment one youth at a time, and this program provides an opportunity to enhance our youth and young adult-centered services.”

Daniel Newell, Executive Director of Career Services, San Diego State University: “SDSU is devoted to exploring how a regional, community approach can help generate employment outcomes and livable wage careers for California's young adults. SDSU will prioritize work-based learning, regional alignment with community colleges, and employer engagement to develop career pathways in public service and healthcare professions. This is an exciting opportunity to bring university career services into the broader workforce development arena and WIOA.”

Nikki Butler, Special Projects Manager, Hope Through Housing: “We are incredibly honored and excited to be selected as a recipient of the OYACPP grant. This funding will allow us to expand our CORE Academy workforce development program, providing more young people with the skills, training, and support they need to succeed in today’s job market. We are excited to grow this program and create new opportunities that will empower youth to build brighter futures."

Scott Flanagan, Executive Director, Compassion Planet: "We are incredibly grateful to California’s Employment Development Department and the office of the OYACPP for this generous grant. This funding will allow us to empower 100 young adults by equipping them with the skills, mentorship, and opportunities they need to build brighter and self-sufficient futures. Together, we are changing lives and creating pathways to hope and success."

Vanessa Russel, Executive Director, Love Never Fails: “Tech is an integral part of every industry. We are grateful for the opportunity that EDD has provided Love Never Fails to partner with Lao Family Foundation and San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission to ensure that California youth secure roles as Tech-enabled Community Health Workers and Tech-enabled Transportation Operators.”

Dr. Lisa Pion-Berlin, President and CEO, Parents Anonymous: “This funding reaffirms our commitment to empowering Opportunity Young Adults with the skills, certification, and wraparound support necessary for success in the mental and behavioral health workforce. By addressing employment barriers and fostering economic mobility, we are proud to help build a diverse, culturally responsive workforce that will support behavioral health recovery and well-being across California’s highest-need regions.”

Andrew Fahmy, Executive Director, Orange County United Way: “This investment by the California Employment Development Department is about more than just jobs—it’s about futures. This program is about creating real, lasting change—helping individuals not just find work, but establish careers that will allow them to thrive.”

Brianna Robinson, President and CEO, Opportunity Junction: “We’re honored to receive this grant, which will allow us to support even more young adults as they overcome barriers to employment and launch meaningful careers. By providing training in high-demand fields like Medical Assisting, Certified Nursing Assistant, and Administrative Careers, we’re not just transforming individual lives—we’re strengthening families, communities, and the workforce across Contra Costa." 

Dr. Robert Pimentel, Chancellor, West Hills Community College District: "The Opportunities for Young Adults program is designed to equip young adults in our region with the skills and resources they need to build meaningful careers in high-demand industries such as advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, healthcare, and information technology. By combining specialized training, work-based learning, and personalized support services, this program offers participants a clear path to success.”

Dr. Philip Starr, Executive Director, Managed Career Solutions: “This vital initiative reflects our commitment to empowering Opportunity Young Adults with the skills, support, and career pathways they need to thrive in the healthcare industry. By combining hands-on training, mentorship, and trauma-informed support, we are not only addressing the growing demand for healthcare professionals but also ensuring young adults have access to sustainable, family-supporting careers. Together with our partners, we are creating a stronger, healthier community by investing in our youth and their future success.” 

Opportunity Young Adult Career Pathway Program Awardees