Overview

Workforce development professionals – in private, nonprofit and public sectors – work in increasingly complicated environments. For years, many have voiced the concern over a lack of standardized training or professional credentials.

The College of Continuing Education (CCE), in response to the call by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act[1] (WIOA) legislation and California Governor’s Californians for All initiative[2], worked with partners in government, workforce development, labor and education to establish a much-needed standard through a professional development program. This training has been specifically designed to meet the needs of workforce development professionals as a pathway for personal growth and professional advancement.

Participants in this program can earn the Workforce Development industry’s first professional certificate OR augment their education with an on-the-job apprenticeship by enrolling in one of the following programs:

• Workforce Development Professional Apprenticeship Program Certificate
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  • Administered by Sacramento State’s College of Continuing Education (CCE)
• Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship Workforce Development Professional as a Journey-level Workforce Development Professional (JOURWDP)
  • Administered by the Interagency Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship, represented by the State of California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), State of California Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS), and California Workforce Association (CWA)

Participants in the program will complete a 132 hour (13.2 continuing education units) professional development program, earn an industry-valued certificate and learn skills to advance their careers such as:

• Recognize the context and impact of workforce legislation
• Identify changes and trends in regional and local economies
• Manage the dynamics of organizational change
• Network and build relationships with businesses and other community partners
• Provide customer-centered career coaching and business services
• Effectively communicate, make decisions to meet business objectives and lead high-performing teams

The Workforce Development Professional Apprenticeship Program has empowered me to succeed in the field of workforce development in ways unforeseen prior to starting the program.” – Matt Hidalgo – graduate

Benefits

Benefit to Employees: Certificate, advancement, wage increase* and marketability upon completion.

* Participants enrolled in the program as Registered Apprentices will receive either an increase in wages or a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) upon completing all apprenticeship requirements.

Benefit to Employer: Trained workforce (including the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act [WIOA]), improved customer service, higher quality/productivity, and better-quality employee relations.

Benefits to the California Workforce Development System: High-quality standards for workforce development professionals, consistent and ongoing training for employees working and serving at Workforce Development Boards (WDBs), Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs), Community-based Organizations (CBOs), non-profit community-serving organizations, and America’s Job Centers of California (AJCCs) partners and improved customer service.

Audience

• Workforce development professionals pursuing management and leadership positions
• Individuals who are currently working in the field but have had no formal training

Structure

This customized program is offered on a cohort basis and can be delivered on campus or onsite at your location in an in-person, hybrid or online format. Workforce Development Boards (WDBs), Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs), Community-based Organizations (CBOs), non-profit community-serving organizations, and America’s Job Centers of California (AJCCs) can sponsor their staff to attend the program in three ways:

1. Grant-based from either the State or federal
2. Organizational sponsorship
3. Individual fee-based

Grant-based from either the State or federal

If enrolling as part of a grant-based, as a Registered Apprenticeship Program in the State of California, participants will:

• Attend all courses (132 instructional hours)
• Complete up to 2,080 hours of on-the-job training (OJT) at their current workforce development center or organization
• Receive 13.2 continuing education units and a Certificate of Participation from the Sacramento State’s College of Continuing Education
• Achieve journey-level status and a certificate from the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS)
• Apprentices who successfully complete an apprenticeship program will be guaranteed a journey-level position with the appropriate placement on the wage scale.

Organizational sponsorship or Individual fee-based

If enrolling as fee-paying individuals or under their organization’s sponsorship, non-apprenticeship participants will:

• Attend all courses (132 instructional hours)
• Receive 13.2 continuing education units and a Certificate of Completion from the College of Continuing Education at Sacramento State

A Success Story

Since its inception in 2015, this program has successfully netted over 300 Journey-Level Workforce Development Professionals.