Governor Newsom Awards $25 Million to Train 22,000 Skilled Workers as Inglewood Construction Boom Demands Labor
Governor Gavin Newsom announced $25 million in grants on Monday for 88 apprenticeship programs that will train 22,208 California workers in the skilled trades, with most funding directed toward construction industry programs serving regions like Inglewood’s booming entertainment district.
The investment comes as Southern California, particularly the Inglewood area, experiences unprecedented construction activity driven by SoFi Stadium, Intuit Dome, and ongoing development tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics.
The grants support apprenticeship programs that provide paid, on-the-job training combined with classroom instruction, creating pathways to middle-class careers in construction, electrical work, plumbing, and other skilled trades. Programs typically last three to five years and result in journeyworker certification.
Construction trade programs received the majority of funding, reflecting California’s infrastructure needs and the critical shortage of skilled workers. The state’s construction industry currently faces a shortage of over 300,000 workers, according to industry estimates.
For Inglewood and surrounding communities, the timing is critical. The city’s transformation from fiscal crisis in 2011 to multibillion-dollar entertainment capital has created thousands of construction jobs. The $2 billion Intuit Dome project alone created over 7,000 construction positions during its build-out.
Ongoing projects near Inglewood include continued development around SoFi Stadium, the $240 million Inglewood High School reconstruction, and multiple mixed-use developments taking advantage of new state housing laws that allow taller buildings near Metro stations.
The apprenticeship grants prioritize programs serving underrepresented communities, including women, people of color, and previously incarcerated individuals seeking to enter the construction trades. Several Los Angeles County programs specifically target residents of South Los Angeles, Inglewood, and Compton.
Local workforce development organizations, including the Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD), have advocated for apprenticeship programs that ensure Inglewood residents benefit from the construction boom in their own city rather than being displaced by rising costs.
The California Division of Apprenticeship Standards oversees registered apprenticeship programs, which combine at least 144 hours of classroom instruction with 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training annually. Apprentices earn progressively higher wages as they advance through the program.
Governor Newsom highlighted the program’s role in building California’s future workforce during his announcement. “These apprenticeship programs create pathways to good-paying careers while addressing our critical shortage of skilled workers,” Newsom said.
The funding is part of California’s broader workforce development strategy as the state prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics, both of which will feature significant activity at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium.
Inglewood residents interested in apprenticeship opportunities can contact the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council or visit the California Apprenticeship Initiative website for program listings and application information.
