August 11, 2025

California Awards $26 Million in ERiCA Grants for Construction Apprenticeships

News Summary

The California Department of Industrial Relations has awarded $26 million in ERiCA grants to support women and disadvantaged communities in construction apprenticeships. With funds benefiting 25 programs, the initiative aims to enhance recruitment, support, and retention in the sector. Noteworthy recipients include Cerritos College and the Los Angeles and Orange Counties Building Trades Council. An all-women’s program launching in Northern California further seeks to address the low participation of women in construction, which stood at just 4% in 2021. The state plans to allocate $15 million for a ‘Women in Construction Priority Program’ in its upcoming budget.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – The California Department of Industrial Relations has announced the awarding of $26 million in Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeship (ERiCA) grants to support women and disadvantaged communities in the construction sector. A total of 25 construction apprenticeship programs will benefit from these funds, aimed at increasing access and participation in the field.

This latest funding initiative marks the second round of ERiCA grants, with the first round distributing $25 million to 19 programs. The ERiCA funding targets three core areas: recruitment, support, and retention of individuals pursuing careers in construction. It is crucial for addressing the ongoing disparities in apprenticeship opportunities within the state.

Highlighted among the recipients of the recent grant awards are several notable organizations. Cerritos College received $1.25 million to enhance its field ironwork apprenticeship program. Another major recipient, the Los Angeles and Orange Counties Building Trades Council Apprenticeship Readiness Fund, was awarded $2.5 million specifically for childcare services, recruitment initiatives, and improvements to worksite culture. Additionally, the Associated Builders and Contractors of Southern California received $550,000, with aspirations to double female enrollment in its programs within the next two years.

One innovative initiative launching in Northern California on April 7 aims to attract women to trade professions through an all-women’s Multi Craft Core Curriculum apprentice readiness program. This comprehensive six-week program will provide participants with hands-on training spanning nearly 20 trade fields, alongside apprenticeship opportunities, safety training, and essential math skills. Currently, the State Joint Building Trade Council is soliciting applicants, with the goal of helping women navigate the process of successfully applying to union apprenticeship programs in construction.

California Labor Secretary Natalie Palugyai underscored the need for the state to double the number of apprentices to realize Governor Gavin Newsom’s initiative of training 500,000 apprentices by the year 2029. The state budget includes innovative funding plans to scale apprenticeship intermediaries and provide essential funding for supplemental instruction akin to community college courses.

Despite the promising landscape for construction job opportunities, women comprised only 4% of California’s construction apprentices in 2021. This percentage reflects a decline in female participation in construction apprenticeships since the early 2000s, a trend partially attributed to the state’s affirmative action ban. The WINTER (Women in Non-Traditional Employment Roles) program stands out as one of the few initiatives specifically targeting women for construction apprenticeships. However, it has faced significant challenges in recent years, including the cancellation of training cohorts and loss of training venues due to the pandemic.

Executive Director Alexandra Torres Galancid from WINTER has raised concerns about unstable living conditions hindering the potential of female trainees. A comprehensive support system, which includes case managers, is deemed essential for assisting women as they transition into the building trades. To effectively attract more women to consider careers in construction, increased marketing efforts have been suggested.

Looking forward, the state’s upcoming fiscal budget proposes the allocation of $15 million for a “Women in Construction Priority Program,” emphasizing California’s commitment to boosting female representation and support in the construction industry.

As California continues its investment in enhancing apprenticeship programs, the focus remains on ensuring equal opportunity and fostering a more inclusive environment in construction trades.