In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week’s ten-year anniversary, Grow Apprenticeship California hosted a virtual event highlighting the power of apprenticeships in creating family-sustaining career pathways for justice-involved individuals. 

The event brought together subject matter experts to explore the benefits, challenges, and strategies for building apprenticeship programs tailored to individuals re-entering the workforce. 

Vanessa Russell, founder of Love Never Fails, shared her organization’s inspiring efforts to create opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals. Love Never Fails uses apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs to empower participants with skills, employment, and hope for a brighter future.

Jonathan Yackley from RISE UP Industries, another featured speaker, provided insights into their programs that foster professional growth and personal transformation for justice-involved individuals. Both organizations are Breaking Barriers and HIRE grant recipients, and both presenters shared actionable practices and emphasized the importance of leveraging community resources to support and expand apprenticeship opportunities across California. Participants left the webinar equipped with practical tools and ideas to drive change within their organizations and communities.

Grow Apprenticeship California is an initiative of FoundationCCC and helps to expand and scale apprenticeships in new and innovative sectors, connecting all Californians to good jobs with family-sustaining wages and advancement opportunities.

Learn more about Grow Apprenticeship California >

Watch the full webinar recording >