The California Workforce Development Board (CWDB) is the Governor’s agent for the development, oversight, and continuous improvement of California’s workforce development system. The CWDB assists the Governor in setting and guiding workforce development policy, developing innovative initiatives through statewide programs, and expanding the High Road vision through its field branch. The workforce development system is comprised of 45 Local Workforce Development Areas (Local Area), each with its own business-led Local Workforce Development Board (Local Board). These Local Boards work together with the state and their local Chief Elected Officials to oversee the delivery of workforce services relevant to their residents and businesses. The California Unemployment Insurance Code §14200 – §14531 and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) give authority to CWDB to carry out the tasks associated with furthering a High Road workforce system. Learn more about the CWDB in the About Us section.

California and the CWDB are committed to a High Road vision for the state’s workforce development system that embodies the principles of job quality, worker voice, equity, and environmental sustainability. Implementing this vision through policy, programs, and other practices will benefit workers, job-seekers, and industry as well as the state’s workforce development system.

Upcoming Funding

Featured Workforce Initiatives

High Road

High Road Training Partnerships (HRTP) and High Road Construction Careers (HRCC) a systemic approach to industry-based workforce development addressing critical issues of equity, job quality, worker voice, and environmental sustainability.

CAAL Skills

An interagency and multi-departmental data-sharing and program evaluation initiative that uses detailed information from federal and state-funded workforce, education, and human services programs to measure participation and associated outcomes for program participants.

Regional CA

Work to stimulate economic growth, create jobs and build the talent needed to increase income mobility and regional prosperity through collaboration among multiple workforce systems and bringing workforce leaders together.

Prison to Employment

Creates opportunities through collaborative partnerships with state workforce programs and the state corrections systems so that formerly incarcerated and justice-involved individuals can successfully reenter society and the labor force.

Workforce Accelerator Fund

Funds projects that design, develop, and implement programs that accelerate employment and provide access to workforce services and employment opportunities for targeted groups and disadvantaged populations.

HIRE

Increases employment opportunities and job mobility for formerly incarcerated and justice-involved individuals through partnerships with reentry-focused organizations that provide training, reskilling and upskilling, and supportive services.

Breaking Barriers

Supplements existing workforce and education programs by providing services to target populations who are often not eligible for other state and federal programs in an effort to address disparities in the labor market.

Coming Soon

Initiative Coming Soon

In the Spotlight

The Golden State Pathway to Teaching and Leading Program, led by Western Governors University (WGU), is one of CWDB’s many High Road Training Partnerships (HRTP). It provides no-cost, accredited pathways for paraeducators or other school personnel to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree and receive a California teaching credential. With support from CWDB, WGU helps workers advance their careers while addressing teaching shortages across the state. Below we share stories from WGU participants about how the program has changed their lives for the better. Read more.

After 11 years as a paraeducator with Palmdale Unified School District, Mercedes knew she wanted to lead a classroom of her own, but financial barriers made that dream feel out of reach. Thanks to the support of WGU’s Golden State Pathways to Teaching and Leading HRTP program, Mercedes earned a Master’s in Teaching, Elementary Education earlier this year.

“This grant covered my tuition, student teaching, and alleviated my fear of accumulating debt that might burden my family… It provided the stability I needed to continue my journey toward becoming a teacher,” said Mercedes.

She’s currently working as a substitute teacher and preparing for her own classroom this fall.

As a young mom of two, Abby balanced family, school, and the dream of becoming a teacher when she connected with WGU. Now, she’s joining the Temecula Valley Unified School District, bringing creativity, care, and a love for learning into her classroom.

The Golden State Pathways to Teaching and Leading HRTP project seeks to remove barriers for aspiring teachers, particularly in rural and underrepresented communities, by providing wrap-around support like tuition assistance, mentorship, and flexible, competency-based education.

“This support allowed me to spend more time with my children, something I couldn’t have done otherwise,” said Abby.

Meet student teacher Angelica from Adelanto School District. Her ability to enroll in the teacher credential and Master’s in Education programs was made possible through WGU and partnerships of the Golden State Pathway to Teaching and Leading HRTP program.

Angelica knew she couldn’t afford to leave work for unpaid student teaching. The program’s wrap-around services made her career possible by removing financial barriers.

Elissa from Woodland Joint Unified School District earned her master’s and multiple subject teaching credential from WGU in under a year.

With support from WGU’s Golden State Pathways to Teaching and Leading HRTP program, Elissa’s tuition was covered, and she received a scholarship during her 12 weeks of unpaid student teaching, relieving major financial and emotional stress.

“I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to participate in the High Road Program,” said Elissa.

Holly is one of California’s newest credentialed teachers working in Clovis Unified School District. She recently earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from HRTP grantee WGU.

As a mom of two, Holly faced the challenge of balancing student teaching with family life and financial strain. WGU’s Golden State Pathway to Teaching and Leading program covered tuition and removed her need to work nights to support her family.

“I truly don’t know how I would have managed without the support of this program,” said Holly.

Laura, who works for Clovis Unified School District, completed her student teaching with the support of WGU’s Golden State Pathways to Teaching and Leading HRTP program funded by CWDB.

The HRTP funding allowed her to fully focus on developing her teaching skills and creating meaningful learning experiences, without the burden of financial stress.

“The experience I gained at WGU, combined with this support, has strengthened my confidence as I transition into becoming a full-time teacher,” said Laura.

CWDB JOB OPENINGS

People participating in a Cannabis training class

Review our available positions below, and visit the CalCareers webpage to learn more about how to apply for a state job.

New to the State – Review the 3 Steps To A State Job webpage and be sure to complete the exam/assessment and state application before applying for this position.

Are you passionate about ending poverty and inequality? Are you motivated to address the climate crisis and social injustice while working on economic and workforce development? If so, you may be a great fit for one of our open positions at the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB).

The CWDB is recognized nationally as a progressive and experimental state workforce department, charting a path to a High Road economy and approach to workforce development grounded in the principles of social equity, environmental sustainability, and resilience and quality jobs. Over the past decade, the CWDB’s budget, programs, and staff have grown exponentially using federal and state workforce funding to pilot new sector-based workforce initiatives and develop policy solutions that address the quality and accessibility of jobs in addition to training.

Click Below To View Current CWDB Job Opportunities:

EXECUTIVE TEAM

No jobs openings are currently available in this branch

EQUITY CLIMATE & JOBS FIELDS TEAM

No jobs openings are currently available in this branch

POLICY IMPLEMENTATION & ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT TEAM

No jobs openings are currently available in this branch

POLICY, RESEARCH AND LEGISLATION TEAM

The Policy, Research and Legislation team is hiring for a Reentry Specialist. Under the general direction of the Staff Services Manager II, the Staff Services Manager I (SSM I) Specialist serves as a highly independent, non-supervisory manager, and is responsible for the highest level of information gathering, analysis, decisions, and recommendations on workforce development pertaining to the Corrections Workforce Partnership Agreement (CWPA) for the California Workforce Development Board. In this role, the SSM I Specialist will identify best practices and effective strategies for serving formerly incarcerated and justice involved individuals with successful reentry and employment attainment. Additionally, in conjunction with statewide partners including the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), the California Prison Industry Authority (CalPIA), and other state, federal, and local partners, the incumbent will develop/determine labor market outcomes. This includes developing and implementing all the actions necessary to carry out the provisions of the agreement. Learn more: JC-466680

PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION & REGIONAL SUPPORT TEAM

No jobs openings are currently available in this branch