RCCD Strengthens Workforce Pathways Through Statewide Apprenticeship Convening
04/21/2026
The Riverside Community College District (RCCD) Apprenticeship team, together with college Apprenticeship Directors from Riverside City College, Moreno Valley College, and Norco College, recently participated in the Statewide Convening on Community College Apprenticeship Program Creation & Expansion, held March 19–20, 2026, in Costa Mesa, CA.
Hosted by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO), the Foundation for California Community Colleges (FCCC), Rancho Santiago Community College District, and the LAUNCH Apprenticeship Network, the two-day convening brought together community college leaders, faculty, apprenticeship professionals, employers, and workforce development experts from across California. The event was created to support colleges and districts at every stage of designing, implementing, and expanding Registered Apprenticeship Programs, including Pre-Apprenticeship, that align with the state’s evolving workforce and economic development needs.
Throughout the convening, RCCD’s district and college representatives participated in engaging workshops and collaborative planning sessions focused on innovative apprenticeship program models, curriculum development, campus-level decision-making, labor market information analysis, employer engagement, and strategies for leveraging Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) for apprentices. The sessions provided hands-on practical tools and promising practices to help colleges strengthen career pathways and expand access to paid work-based learning opportunities, such as apprenticeship and on-the-job training for students.
Participants also heard from leading federal and statewide partners, as well as apprenticeship subject-matter experts, including regional Centers of Excellence, the CA Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS), and the United States Department of Labor (DOL). Currently, RCCD is a grant awardee through the DOL – Apprenticeship Building America (ABA) program, which is developing an apprenticeship hub focused on the Inland Empire Desert Regional Consortium (IEDRC) colleges, in coordination with the LAUNCH Apprenticeship Network. Presentations shared at the convening highlighted successful models for building sustainable apprenticeship ecosystems through strong employer partnerships and data-informed program design.
A major highlight of the event was RCCD’s team networking with academic peers and engaging directly with employers and industry representatives from across the state. These conversations helped identify emerging workforce trends and opportunities for future collaboration that will benefit students and strengthen our regional economy.
“This convening provided an outstanding opportunity for our district and college teams to collaborate with federal and statewide leaders, plus industry/sector partners, on strategies that strengthen apprenticeship pathways for our students,” said Jason Kennedy, Director of Workforce and Economic Development Projects for RCCD. “By working together across the district and with our colleges, we continue to build both new and innovative trades apprenticeship programs that connect students to high-demand careers and support the workforce needs of our region.”
RCCD’s participation reflects its continued commitment to workforce innovation, student success and equity, and regional economic development through high-quality apprenticeship programming at its colleges.
Published by External Relations & Strategic Communications