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

Los Angeles, CA – The Worker Education and Resource Center, Inc. (WERC) addresses shortages in Behavioral Health workers for Los Angeles and Alameda counties with their High Road Training Partnership grant. They have developed a training program for Community Health Workers who specialize as Harm Reduction Specialists. These specialized workers help mitigate the impacts of substance abuse and other risk factors in vulnerable communities by connecting their communities to vital resources. Learn how WERC is building resilient communities.

WERC Harm Reduction Specialists have lived experience and reside in the community they serve. It has been critical to the program that trainees have lived experience as it ensures the curriculum remains authentic and relevant.

Terrance White
Harm Reduction Specialist

While incarcerated, WERC graduate Terrance White took the path toward self-improvement and professional development: studying history, economics, and cultures, taking paralegal courses, and rediscovering his passion for writing. Once released, he found a job with WERC partner Homeboy Industries and began his transition back into society. Continue reading Terrance’s story.

Micheal Childress Jr.
Harm Reduction Specialist

At a young age, Micheal Childress Jr. was exposed to drugs, alcohol, and a broken home. Self-medicating led him on a path to addiction and eventually prison. While incarcerated, Childress made changes: he completed drug treatment programs, was honored as valedictorian, and earned a humanitarian award. Continue reading Michael’s story.

Rudy Villalobos

Engagement and Recruitment
Coordinator for WERC

As the Engagement & Recruitment Coordinator for WERC, Rudy Villalobos’ job is to engage and recruit individuals to the Harm Reduction Specialist program. Villalobos grew up in a community where homelessness, substance abuse, gang violence, and poverty were commonplace, and he has been a Difference Maker for many residents there. His intuition and professional training have contributed to the program’s strategy of building equity in the Los Angeles region. Continue reading Rudy’s story.

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