California Governor Gavin Newsom has unveiled a plan to create more well-paying careers for Californians, particularly those without a college degree. The “California Master Plan for Career Education” aims to streamline and coordinate state and regional efforts to prepare students and workers for high-demand jobs with hands-on learning, job-related skills, and wider access to affordable education.
Key elements of the plan include:
* A new “career passport” digital tool to help workers showcase their skills and credentials to potential employers
* A statewide collaborative of educators, job training providers, and employers to evaluate economic trends and workforce needs
* More work-based learning, including internships and apprenticeships, career exploration, and stronger counseling
* Wider access to workforce training and education, especially for underrepresented groups
* Doubling the number of state jobs that do not require a college degree or specific educational requirements
* A new initiative to help 30,000 military veterans turn their service experience into college credit
The plan also aims to address the state’s economic divide, which is one of the largest in the nation. California has a high cost of living and complexities in accessing public assistance, making it difficult for many to pursue college. The plan recognizes that college degrees still provide a valuable path for financial stability, but also acknowledges that degree attainment is not the only pathway to stable, well-paid work.
The plan has drawn bipartisan support and is expected to be presented in early 2023 with funding commitments included in the state budget proposal.