Calbright College announces new partnership with TechSF to offer paid apprenticeships

Sacramento, Calif., November 18, 2024 - Calbright College announced today that it has officially received approval from the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) to register its IT Support, Cybersecurity, and Data Analysis programs as pre-apprenticeships, which help prepare individuals to succeed in more advanced, registered apprenticeship programs. This approval validates the programs' alignment with industry standards and will help Calbright prepare a pipeline of talent ready to thrive in high-demand apprenticeship roles.

As a newly-minted DAS pre-apprenticeship provider, the College also announced early planning to create paid apprenticeship opportunities for its alumni, now pre-apprentices, through a partnership with TechSF, a nationally recognized and registered apprenticeship program in the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD). TechSF integrates registered pre-apprenticeship to apprenticeship pathways with tech employers, reducing skills gaps and recruitment for companies, while helping job seekers gain valuable experience and industry-recognized certifications.

"Calbright's skills-based programs are closely-aligned with California labor market demands to set our students up for success in today's workforce. Now, paired with DAS approval for several of our programs, Calbright not only serves as an education provider but as a connector to real-world work experience for our adult learners," saidMichael Younger, vice president of workforce, strategy, and innovation at Calbright College. "We're thrilled to collaborate with the City and County of San Francisco, an epicenter for the tech industry, to offer paid tech apprenticeships for Calbright alumni seeking to further their training and connect with potential employers. We look forward to working with TechSF on this endeavor to drive a strong and vibrant California economy, while also supporting workers with a quality job experience, living wages, and in-demand skills."

Arriving just in time for the 10th annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), this approval builds a direct talent pipeline for employers partnering with the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development's TechSF Apprenticeship program. The partnership allows Bay Area companies to tap into job-ready talent trained by Calbright College in the essential skills needed in today's fast-paced tech industry.

"National Apprenticeship Week acknowledges the significant impact apprenticeships have on shaping our future workforce," said Sarah Dennis Phillips, Executive Director, OEWD. "Apprenticeships are vital to providing the training and skills for workers to succeed in their careers. The partnership with the Office of Economic and Workforce Development's TechSF program and Calbright will continue to make careers in tech more accessible to all communities across San Francisco."

"Calbright has truly helped me build my technology skills all while empowering me with career readiness opportunities. These skills translate so well to what I need to know for my current apprenticeship at Accenture," said Alicia Rangel, a Calbright alumna and current technology consultant apprentice at Accenture. "Everything Accenture asked about in the interview directly aligned with what I had been exploring at Calbright. I've been trying to break into tech for awhile now, and with the tools I learned both in my Calbright program and during my Experiential Learning and Leadership internship where I mentored fellow Calbright students, there are so many doors open for me. I also couldn't imagine this journey without the support from my own mentors and instructors as well as the Calbright team behind the scenes who work hard for our futures every day."

With its first ever DAS approval status, Calbright will continue to partner with organizations across the state to offer adult learners a better chance at success in today's labor market, while providing California employers with highly-skilled and qualified employees. Taken together, the DAS approval and TechSF partnership will demonstrate Calbright's continued leadership in the California Community Colleges system's ongoing efforts to drive economic mobility and reach Governor Newsom's goal of providing 500,000 earn-and-learn apprenticeships by 2029.

Pre-apprenticeships, like those offered by Calbright, equip participants with essential skills and hands-on experience, preparing them for apprenticeships. Employers get access to talent already trained in key areas, making hiring easier and more efficient. TechSF will work directly with employers to assess each apprentice's skills and will customize training with Calbright College that fills the specific gaps needed by focusing on exactly what each company needs to succeed.

For more information on the partnership or how to get involved, please contact:

Billy Coleman
Director of Partnership Development, Calbright College
[email protected]
https://www.calbright.edu/workforce-economic-development

Orrian Willis
TechSF Manager
Office of Economic and Workforce Development, San Francisco
415.701.4851
[email protected]
sf.gov/techsf

About Calbright College
Calbright College is a new kind of community college designed to support the needs and goals of adult learners. Established in 2018, Calbright is a statewide, online, and flexible California Community College that offers accessible and career-focused programs-based on in-demand skills from IT to CRM Platform Administration to Data Analysis. Calbright's free and flexibly paced model, which utilizes competency-based education, works within the schedules of California's working-age adults to provide the rigor of higher education without the logistical hurdles of a traditional institution.

About TechSF
TechSF, an initiative of the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development, is nationally recognized for creating pathways to tech careers through registered apprenticeships. Through partnerships with industry leaders, TechSF empowers a more diverse workforce by providing free, certified training for sought-after tech skills. This not only opens doors for individuals to pursue tech careers, but also ensures businesses have access to new pipelines of skilled talent to meet their evolving needs. Learn more about TechSF at sf.gov/techsf.

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