Senator Cortese (D-Silicon Valley), Chair of the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee, introduced SB 1004 to invest in and expand apprenticeship programs statewide.
SB 1004 would establish a five percent bid preference for public works contractors that are active participants in state-approved apprenticeship programs.
Apprenticeship programs help build our workforce through “earn-and-learn” job training and in-classroom curriculum; they are critical to training highly skilled workers and incorporate feedback from both business and labor communities to build inclusive employee-employer relations.
In 2018, Governor Gavin Newsom set a goal of 500,000 apprentices by 2029. SB 1004 will help California reach our ambitious state goals.
“SB 1004 will build lasting, long-term career development and expand professional opportunities for those entering the workforce in California,” says Senator Dave Cortese. “We must continue to prioritize efforts to further strengthen and invest in our workforce pipeline.”
“Apprenticeship programs provide their apprentices the most up to date training in the construction industry and lead to high-quality jobs that support middle class families. Adding a bid preference to prioritize apprenticeship will pave the way to increased apprenticeship opportunities and lifelong careers for aspiring construction workers,” says Matt Cremins of the International Union of Operating Engineers.
SB 1004 is sponsored by the California-Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers.
