The North Far North COE’s new report “Unlocking Registered Apprenticeship Growth Potential: Opportunities in the North Far North Region” provides a current overview of the region’s registered apprenticeship programs and identifies opportunities for new apprenticeship creation in the Greater Sacramento subregion.

The study examines existing registered apprenticeships, community college programs, and occupational areas that show promise for developing new registered apprenticeships in the Greater Sacramento subregion (Sacramento, El Dorado, Placer, Yolo, Sutter, Yuba, and Nevada counties).

Greater Sacramento has a robust assortment of apprenticeship programs. There are 21 active community college apprenticeship programs and more than 450 community college apprenticeship courses in the subregion.

Traditional trades comprise the majority of registered apprenticeships. The highest percentage of apprenticeships occur in the Public Safety sector and Energy, Construction and Utilities sector, although many apprenticeship offerings are classified as Other/Unassigned in the Greater Sacramento area.

Equity gaps exist among the demographics of registered apprenticeship participants. Although the Greater Sacramento subregion has broader racial and ethnic diversity than other Northern California subregions (with state data showing 46% of participants identify as Hispanic or Latino and 34% as white), a vast majority of registered apprentices are male.

Increased funding is expanding the scope of apprenticeship planning and implementation. The North Far North region has received more than $14 million in CAI grant funding, with an estimated $10.5 million awarded to several community colleges and school districts in the Greater Sacramento subregion, including American River College, Davis Joint Unified, and the Sutter County Office of Education.

“Apprenticeable” occupations are a starting point for new registered apprenticeships. In addition to sufficient annual openings, projected job growth, and livable wages, these occupations have strong alignment with community college programs and include significant on-the-job training, making them ideal targets for apprenticeship program development and expansion. The study identifies 20 “apprenticeable” occupations in the Greater Sacramento subregion, among them: General and Operations Managers; Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers; and Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers.

The study incorporates analysis of data from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), California Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS), and California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO).